thu 18/02/2010

Having revisited the cult techno tracks with “Modern Rhapsodies” (Fcom 2006), Maxence Cyrin is back with a new album, still solo on the piano, reinventing indie rock and electro’s emblematic songs. Biography One day in the east of France about 20 years ago, a 14 year old boy sat down at a piano in his music class and played kiss´s „I was made for loving you“. His classmates loved it, and word of his talents got around the school. Much to his disgust, the boys gym teacher started calling him Richard Clayderman. Now in his 30´s, Maxence Cyrin still speaks bitterly of the gym teacher, still hates sport and is still defying the conventions of a concert pianist. Two years after that school rock performance, he discovered punk and turned his back on formal training. The conservatory was too old, too dusty, there wasn´t enough room for individuality. He began his career composing electronic music and released several records under different pseudonyms before singing at famous parisian club ´Le Baron´ as a punk crooner. After this, he found himself signed to Laurent Garnier's F Communication dance label revisiting cult techno tracks for the grand piano. “Modern Rhapsodies” is the first 100% acoustic release on the label. The media was enthusiastic and his music compared to Philip Glass, Michael Nyman or Erik Satie. Three years after his debut lp, " Modern Rhapsodies", he´s releasing an album with renowned producer Marc Collin (Nouvelle Vague) on the label Kwaidan Records. Maxence Cyrin is at his best, covering classic indie-rock songs (Nirvana, The Pixies) and electro hits (Justice, Daft Punk). With his sophisticated harmonies, rhythm changes, cinematic atmospheres, “Novö Piano” makes one think of Debussy, Ravel or Frederic Chopin. Set Defying the conventions of a concert pianist, Maxence's live sets are unique. For the more danceable tunes, he brings his own energy to play along with the rhythm, kicking the pedal, and for the melancholic tunes, softly highlighting the melody. His setlist is a mix of electro & 80's hits, rock anthems, improvisations and entertainement. Successively dramatic, lyric, impressionist, Maxence pushes away the limits of the cover by making it a true art. Discography

• Modern Rhapsodies, 2006, FCom / PIAS
• Novö Piano, 2009, Kwaidan records