Monday // May 18, 2009 at 15:01 // filed under
Music
The Girls
Illustration by Christel Escosa
Everyone seems to have a bit of a crush on all-girl keyboard trio Au Revoir Simone; consisting of pretty girls that epitomise geek and their self-proclaimed ‘sandbox’ chic.
They're
like a perfectly whipped pavlova: light, fluffy and crunchy, topped
with some smooth cream and a bit of tangy fruit. As leggy and willowy
as their music are Annie, Erika and Heather. With 5
keyboards, an omni-chord, a drum machine and a glockenspiel amongst
other miscellaneous electronic paraphernalia, their synth-driven
compositions are quite delectable.
After meeting on a train
home to New York City, Annie (keys and vox) and Erika (ditto) bonded
over keyboards. Whilst previously in a band called ‘Dirty On Purpose’,
Heather (on the drum machine, keyboards and vocals) bought her first
synth and it apparently changed her life. Their combined ambition for
triple keyboard action culminated in a regular bedroom bash around on
the keys that inevitably progressed from the girls just jamming
together, to a more concerted effort.
For some reason, despite
being from America - whatever you might define ‘American’ female
indie-pop as sounding like – Au Revoir Simone don’t come across as
‘American’. Daydreamy and romantic in both music and appearance,
listening to them gets one feeling rather sentimental. Their songs are
strangely conflicting; with melancholic lyrics yet warm and airy
melodies, twirled gracefully into wistful Casio concoctions.
Often
minimal and lo-fi, Au Revoir Simone somehow comes across as quite
orchestral, with delicately woven soundscapes that are both ponderous
and playful. This ménage a trois of keyboards will warm the cockles of
every Casio-tone aficionado’s heart with their speculative and
candy-coloured music. Blushingly flirtatious, Au Revoir Simone is a
winsome trio producing lucid and luminous pop.
Photography by Richard Kelly
Here's the interview we did with Annie after the jump!
