Taking Root: Bay Area-based band French Miami recently scored its first record deal. Lydia White
French Kiss
No bass required for these prog/synth rockers.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
It’s hard to put a finger on what genre of music the trio plays or the planet it comes from, but the songs have addictive hooks featuring magnetic synths and mercury-quick John Frusciante guitar chops. Lead singer Jason Heiselmann says the band pulls inspiration from ’90s music and prog-rock, but French Miami has created their own electronic-rock salad tossed with post-punk dressing.
Heiselmann plays synthesizer and the baritone guitar, an instrument he describes as being “somewhere in between a bass and regular guitar tuned in the key of B.” Backing Heiselmann is Monterey native Roland Curtis on lead guitar and synthesizer, and drummer Chris Crawford.
After almost three years, French Miami is now enjoying wider success. They played South by Southwest and will sign with its first label, the San Francisco-based Take Root Records, this week.
“It’s important to find a label that’s going to work the hardest for you,” says Heiselmann. “And Take Root is gung-ho about us.”
The self-released album the band put out last November will be re-released under its new label on vinyl and have wider distribution.
French Miami is currently working on writing demos for a new album and is planning a tour in Canada and the U.S. beginning in August.
Teenage psychedelic hard rockers Minus.Tides and the experimental electronica of Candyflip will open.
FRENCH MIAMI plays 9pm Saturday, June 6, at Jose’s Underground Lounge, 638 Wave St., Monterey. 655-4419. $5.
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