Anoraak

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other uses, see Anorak (disambiguation).
Anoraak
Anoraak playing a DJ set in Valencia, Spain in 2014
Anoraak playing a DJ set in Valencia, Spain in 2014
Background information
Origin France
GenresSynthpop, Synthwave, Indie dance, Nu-Disco, Dream Pop, Italo disco, Disco, House
Instrument(s)Guitar, synthesizer, drums, bass
Years active2008–present
Labels
  • Endless Summer
  • Valerie
  • Kitsuné
  • Eskimo Recordings
  • Grand Blanc
  • Naïve
  • Partyfine
  • Paper Recordings
  • BE Records
MembersFrédéric Rivière
Past membersBaudouin Marnez, Guillaume Marnez
Websiteanoraak.com

Anoraak is the musical project of French musician Frédéric Rivière, multi instrumentalist, singer, producer and DJ, former drummer of Pony Pony Run Run and member of the Valerie Collective[1] along with artists such as College, Maethelvin, The Outrunners, Minitel Rose and Russ Chimes. Coming from the rock scene at first, he later came to electronic music, starting Anoraak beside his drummer position.[2]

His music is related to the retro-synth and 80's inspired scenes recently highlighted by the movie Drive's soundtrack.[3] His sound is described as "dreamy synth-filled tracks that fall somewhere on the spectrum between disco and new wave",[4] "contemporary but retro-tinged" [5] or "easy, breezy [...] chugging along on airy synthesizers like a weekend train to the beachside town of Nantes".[6] Now his music is considered as "70s inspired disco [...]. Borrowing influences from pop, disco, house, and indie"[7]

Anoraak has collaborated with artists such as the former Swedish Italo Disco outfit Sally Shapiro,[8] American singer Slow Shiver,[9] French producer College, Danish singer Lydmor, and has also remixed numerous artists such as Neon Indian,[10] Mika,[11] Junkie XL, Wild Belle, Julian Perretta, among others.

Career[edit]

Rivière started Anoraak circa 2008,[12] when he released his debut album Nightdrive With You, first limited to 1000 copies,[13] then reissued in Japan [14] and Australia.[15] The title track "Nightdrive with You" touched the entire blogosphere,[16] and got highlighted on the Myspace US homepage.[17] He first started to perform in France,[18] and eventually made it to the USA early 2009 with a first show at Webster Hall in New York.[19]

Anoraak's second album Wherever The Sun Sets launched in 2011. UK's Clash Magazine review lauded Anoraak's mix of italo-disco, indie rock, and 80s pop, writing "he does it so well it’s as if these sounds were born to be together despite being totally disparate".[20] Anoraak then grew up to a 3 piece band,[21] playing renowned France's Festival des Inrocks,[22] SXSW festival in Austin, Texas,[23] Noise Music Festival in Monterrey, Mexico [24] before embarking on The Drive Tour in 2012 with College and Electric Youth in USA and Canada.[25][26]

In 2013, his third album Chronotropic came out, "lead[ing] the way in sunset-inspired dance pop" according to Nest HQ [27] and described as "new wave vocals on disco" by French magazine Tsugi,[28] quickly followed by the EP Reworks, alternative versions of tracks from the album,[29] whose track Guest Star (Rework) was premiered on Rolling Stone.[30] Back as a solo act, he keeps performing mostly stateside.[31]

After releasing in 2015 the single Odds Are Good on the Belgian label Eskimo Recordings,[32][33] he came back in 2016 with the EP Figure, out on his own imprint Endless Summer Music.[34] The title track's video was premiered on British trendsetting site Nowness,[35] and Brooklyn based online publication Vehllingo stated that this EP "embod[ies] the different personality traits of Anoraak’s various experiments over the years".[36] The same year he teamed up with Anglo French duo Loframes for the track "Since You've Gone" released on Los Angeles based label Midnight in Paris [37]

In 2015 he collaborates with French artist Étienne Bardelli to the conception of an art installation named Release, exhibited at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris, then at l'église des Trinitaires in Metz.[38]

In June 2017, Anoraak released Black Gold Sun, described by Australian webzine Acid Stag as "Italo-disco, retro-synth, electro-pop goodness".[39] The video for the track Last Call was premiered on major online French media Konbini.

He's on the bill for the 2018 edition of Electric Daisy Carnival in Mexico.[40]

The same year he drops a remastered re-issue of his first album Nightdrive With You, enhanced by previously unreleased tracks and pressed on vinyl.[41] In November 2019, Anoraak premiered a more nu-disco sound with "Panarea" on the Vehlinggo Presents: 5 Years compilation.[42]

In 2020 Anoraak comes back along with songstress Sarah Maison on the 70's disco tinged EP Gang, released by Yuksek's label Partyfine.[43] A few weeks later the single Between Love featuring Maria Uzor came out,[44] followed by the EP Fire Inside in collaboration with Los Angeles-based artists Lauren Turk and Luxxury, out on Manchester's label Paper Recordings.[45] Later that year Anoraak drops Transatlantic[46] before unveiling Haunting Pieces, a new collaboration with French singer Lenparrot, out on Be Records, Bon Entendeur's imprint.[47]

On May 28, 2021, Anoraak and Sarah Maison are back together on the single Karma, announcing a new EP.[48]

Discography[edit]

Albums[edit]

  • Nightdrive With You (2008, ESR / Grand Blanc)
  • Wherever the Sun Sets (2010, Naïve / Grand Blanc)
  • Chronotropic (2013, Grand Blanc)

EPs[edit]

  • Nightdrive With You Remixes (2008 - ESR / Grand Blanc)
  • Try Me (2010, Grand Blanc)
  • Crazy Eyes (2011, Grand Blanc)
  • Behind Your Shades (2014, Grand Blanc)
  • Reworks (2014, Grand Blanc)
  • Endless Summer Versions (2014, Grand Blanc)
  • Figure (2016, Endless Summer)
  • Black Gold Sun (2017, Endless Summer)
  • Black Gold Sun Remixed (2017, Endless Summer)
  • Gang (2020, Partyfine)
  • Fire Inside (2020, Paper Recordings)
  • Karma (2021, Endless Summer)

Singles[edit]

  • Nightdrive With You (2008 - ESR / Grand Blanc)
  • Make It Better (Compilation "Edges" // 2009 - Because Music)
  • Long Distance Hearts (Compilation "Valerie And Friends" // 2009 - Grand Blanc)
  • Above Your Head (2010, Naïve)
  • Try Me (2010, Naïve)
  • Crazy Eyes (2011, Grand Blanc)
  • Morning Light (2013, Grand Blanc)
  • Behind Your Shades (2014 - Grand Blanc)
  • Odds Are Good (2015 - Eskimo Recordings)
  • We Lost feat. Slow Shiver (2016 - Endless Summer)
  • Figure (2016 - Endless Summer)
  • Evolve feat. Lydmor (2017 - Endless Summer)
  • Last Call (2017 - Endless Summer)
  • Favor (2018 - Endless Summer)
  • Panarea (2019 - Vehlinggo)
  • Gang (2020 - Partyfine)
  • Between Love (2020 - Outside The Disco)
  • Transatlantic (2020 - Endless Summer)
  • Haunting Pieces (2020 - Bon Entendeur Records)

Collaborations[edit]

Music Videos[edit]

  • Above Your Head (2011 - Milosh Luczynski)
  • Crazy Eyes (2011 - Jonathan Millet)
  • Can't Stop (2011 - Frédéric Rivière)
  • Made Up (2012 - Marjory Déjardin)
  • Dolphins & Highways feat. Siobhan Wilson (2013 - Josué Pichot)
  • Morning Light (2013 - Ben Chadourne)
  • Behind Your Shades (2014 - O.S.A.K.A.H)
  • Heart Out (2017 - Stephane Benini)
  • Figure (2017 - Simon Savory)
  • Last Call (2017 - O.S.A.K.A.H)
  • Karma (2021 - Marco Dos Santos)

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Anoraak live". PulseRadio. 2015. Archived from the original on 2018-01-15.
  2. ^ Trotter, Elliot (2015-12-11). "Ultimate GT Music: Interview with Anoraak - Skyd Magazine". Skyd Magazine. Retrieved 2018-01-12.
  3. ^ Drago, Olivier (2016). "Dans les ténèbres de l'electro". Libération.
  4. ^ Jefferson, Lauren (2013). "Anoraak - Morning Light video". Earmilk.
  5. ^ "Anoraak - Black Gold Sun Review". Vehlinggo. 9 June 2017.
  6. ^ Brown, Harley (2015). "SPIN Singles Mix". SPIN.
  7. ^ "Anoraak and Sarah Maison Dazzle In 'Karma' Ahead of New EP". The Knockturnal. 2021-06-02. Retrieved 2021-06-08.
  8. ^ Stosuy, Brandon (2010). "Anoraak – "Don't Be Afraid" (Feat. Sally Shapiro) (Alternative Version)". Stereogum. Stereogum.
  9. ^ Sundius, Michael (2016). "DA Premiere: Anoraak, feat. Slow Shiver - We Lost". Dancing Astronaut. Dancing Astronaut.
  10. ^ Grishkoff, Jason (2010). "Neon Indian - Psychic Chasms (Anoraak Remix)". Indie Shuffle.
  11. ^ "Blame It On The Girls (Remixes)". Discogs. 2010.
  12. ^ Jefferson, Lauren (2015). "Anoraak shows off his synths for a remix of GOLF's "All In All"". Earmilk.
  13. ^ "Anoraak - Nightdrive With You". Discogs (in French). Retrieved 2018-01-13.
  14. ^ "Anoraak - Nightdrive With You". Discogs. Retrieved 2018-01-13.
  15. ^ "Anoraak - Nightdrive With You". Discogs. Retrieved 2018-01-13.
  16. ^ Lawrence, Sebastian (2017). "French Electronic Band Anoraak Enthralling New Track – Figure". Savage Thrills.
  17. ^ Staples, Derek (2014). "The Drop, Vol. 6: Erol Alkan, Anoraak, Phutureprimitive, and Will Runzel". Consequence Of Sound.
  18. ^ "An Indie Epicenter in Paris Opens". New York Times. 25 November 2009.
  19. ^ "Maserati, College & Anoraak tour dates". Brooklyn Vegan. 2009.
  20. ^ Todd, Chris. "Anoraak – Whenever the Sun Sets". Clash Music. Clash Magazine.
  21. ^ "Last FM Anoraak wiki". Last FM.
  22. ^ Mialot, Benjamin (2011). "L'extravagance de l'Anoraak". Les Inrockuptibles.
  23. ^ Benson, Nikki (2012). "Anoraak live performance and interview". SSG Music.
  24. ^ Castillo, Leyda (2012). "Noise Music Festival". Vice.
  25. ^ Roffman, Michael (2012). "College, Anoraak, and Electric Youth Team Up for the Drive Tour". Consequence of Sound. Consequence of Sound.
  26. ^ Caballero, Martin (2012). "THE DRIVE TOUR". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on 2018-01-15.
  27. ^ "Anoraak Behind Your Your Shades". Nest HQ. 2014. Archived from the original on 2018-01-16.
  28. ^ Meunier, Clémence (2013). "Chronique Anoraak Chronotropic". Tsugi.
  29. ^ "Anoraak Releases The Rework's E.P". Future City Records. 2014.
  30. ^ "Guest Star - Anoraak". Rolling Stone. 22 November 2013.
  31. ^ "Anoraak Returns to North America for Tour". France Rocks. 2014.
  32. ^ Murray, Robin (2015). "Premiere: Anoraak - 'Odds Are Good'". Clash Music.
  33. ^ "Anoraak - Odds Are Good". Discobelle.
  34. ^ Sundius, Michael (2016). "DA Premiere: Anoraak, feat. Slow Shiver - We Lost". Dancing Astronaut. Dancing Astronaut.
  35. ^ Mathis, Camilla (2017). "Bodies bend and interlock in a dance of polyamoric passion for the French synthwave act's latest". Nowness.
  36. ^ Vehling, Aaron (2016). "Anoraak embraces contemplative vibes on 'Figure'". Vehllingo.
  37. ^ Jefferson, Lauren (2016). "Loframes and Anoraak get chill for "Since You've Gone"". Earmilk.
  38. ^ "etienne bardelli & frédéric rivière collaborate in release installation". designboom | architecture & design magazine. 2016-03-13. Retrieved 2021-06-08.
  39. ^ "Anoraak – 'Black Gold Sun'". Acid Stag. 2017.
  40. ^ "LINEUP - EDC México 2018". EDC Mexico 2018 (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved 2018-01-13.
  41. ^ "Anoraak - Nightdrive With You: A Retrospective • Vehlinggo". Vehlinggo. 2018-09-21. Retrieved 2021-06-08.
  42. ^ "Anoraak – 'Panarea'". Indie Shuffle. 2019. Retrieved 2020-01-19.
  43. ^ Adrien (2020-04-11). "Anoraak takes us to Summer with "Gang"". Do You Like That Song?. Retrieved 2021-06-08.
  44. ^ "Anoraak feat. Maria Uzor - Between Love". www.brain-magazine.fr (in French). Retrieved 2021-06-08.
  45. ^ "Anoraak Talks About Nightdrive With You, Fire Inside EP and Drops Some Ace Studio Tips". Le Visiteur Online. 2020-08-17. Retrieved 2021-06-08.
  46. ^ "Dans le radar #94 : Anoraak". Le Bombardier (in French). 2020-11-17. Retrieved 2021-06-08.
  47. ^ ""Haunting Pieces" le nouveau single d'Anoraak en feat avec Lenparrot est disponible" (in French). 2020-11-27. Retrieved 2021-06-08.
  48. ^ Salce, Chris (2021-06-02). "Anoraak - 'Karma' (feat. SARAH MAISON)". Acid Stag. Retrieved 2021-06-08.
  49. ^ Stosuy, Brandon (2010). "Anoraak – "Don't Be Afraid" (Feat. Sally Shapiro) (Alternative Version)". Stereogum. Stereogum.
  50. ^ Brink, Nick (2016). "Etienne Bardelli & Frédéric Rivière collaborate in release installation". Design Boom.
  51. ^ Jefferson, Lauren (2016). "Loframes and Anoraak get chill for "Since You've Gone"". Earmilk.
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