News

Emilie Simon Comes To London

• 23rd Jun 2010

Following a sold out show at the Jazz Café in April, French sonic auteur Emilie Simon announces a headline show at London's Cargo to support the release of her fourth album 'The Big Machine', out July 12th.

Emilie's new album is her tribute to New York City: a Dreamland with its many faces cast as a Rainbow. Falling in love with the city whilst on a short break in late 2007, Emilie took up residency in Brooklyn. The relocation allowed Emilie to make her performances more intimate again. A residency at the New York club The Cutting Room gave her the opportunity to showcase newly-composed songs as works in progress and develop them in front of small audiences who weren't expecting the multiple-award-winner's music that is so familiar to her fellow French. This new approach laid the ground for 'The Big Machine'. The intimate shows attracted the attention of The New Yorker, Vogue (US) and Interview magazine whilst The New York Post placed Rainbow, the opening track on The Big Machine, in the top thirty of its top songs of 2009.

Having previously performed with orchestras Emilie has evolved a new way of playing live with an array of gadgets and technical wizardry including “the arm”. Developed by Cyrille Brissot of IRCAM for Emilie, it encases her left arm and enables Emilie to trigger and play instruments live as well as manipulate her voice. Live, she has become a hybrid herself: part instrument, part performer.

London Tour Dates magazine praised Emilie's use of technology in her recent Jazz Café performance “Channelling a variety of sounds with the aforementioned arm, as well as using the Tenori-On and singing with a sparkling exuberance, Emilie Simon projected a relaxed warm and beguiling stage presence.” Whilst The Independent commented “Whatever the technology, the songs shine. 'The Big Machine' is packed with upbeat, stomping epics that build and build.

The British release of The Big Machine means that we will soon agree with what America is beginning to discover, Emilie Simon in no longer for France alone.

Go to link to watch Emilie's Bedford Avenue Sessions
(Experimental homemade shows created in Emilie's apartment in Brooklyn, NY)