aaamusic | On 21, Apr 2011

RANDOM ACCESS MEMORIES (ALBUM)

Franz Kirmann, real name François Kirmann Gamaury, is a French electronic musician and producer based in London. Kirmann was raised in Senegal, West Africa, before moving back to his home country in his early teens. During this time he performed in various noise and new-wave bands prior to relocating to London to study filmmaking. Previously working as a film editor, movies continue to have a strong influence on Franz’ work. Filmmakers Wong Kar Wai, Michelangelo Antonioni and Sergio Leone, are happily sited amongst his influences, alongside bands and musicians Sonic Youth, My Bloody Valentine, Pan American and Fennesz. Like these musicians, Franz has a weakness for walls of sounds and ghostly melodies; to him these simulate the sonic equivalent of the slow-motion sequences and landscapes in cinemascope.

2009-2010 saw Franz release a series of EPs including ‘Little Baby Eyes’, ‘Liza’ and highly acclaimed EP ‘Piano Interrupted’, which features classically trained pianist, Tom Hodge. All three EPs were very well received in the UK and Europe, gaining support from top DJs Laurent Garnier, Craig Richards, Xenia Beliayeva, Jef K and Fiona Talkington, as well as positive reviews in The Wire, Mixmag, Music Week and IDJ Magazine.

Not content with being a recording artist and producer, Kirmann also runs Photogram recordings which will be releasing the forthcoming Greg Hall album and Piano Interrupted EP later this year, as well as co-owning the Days Of Being Wild label with French expats musician/producers, Catalepsia. With the completion of ‘Random Access Memories’, an album Franz best describes as a collage of sonic landscapes where distorted sounds collide with fragile melodies, organic textures and sound design, comes an audiovisual feast for the eyes and ears. Sitting between post-rock and glitch electronica, ‘Random Access Memories’ is intended to be the perfect soundtrack to a sun-drenched daydream. The album’s title refers to the sporadic nature of the recording process, as all eleven tracks were written, recorded and produced at various intervals over the past 5 years, culminating in a collection of the most stunning compositions and songs you’re likely to set ears to in 2011.

Franz Kirmman
Random Access Memories track listings:
1. De 6 a 7
2. Liza
3. Tunis
4. L’ennui
5. To The Lost Years…
6. Memories / Scars
7. The Savage Eye
8. Little Baby Eyes
9. Lexi
10. Jimmy Jimereeno
11. Nocturne Indien

Artist Links:
http://www.franzkirmann.net
http://www.myspace.com/kirmann