SEVEN HEAVEN (vinyl)

Description

The album 'Seven Heaven' evokes romanticism in our tumultuous era, shaped by our lifestyles, and delves into questions concerning the human condition in the face of numerous challenges, and the awareness of our social and natural environment. The approach also aims to be as coherent as possible with a modern philosophy and the reality of our profession: to raise awareness among individuals and the public about our status as artists by creating an intense and authentic live show. This album is a kind of positive regression. Indeed, a part of the work was stolen shortly before going into the studio, including some definitive versions. The idea was to challenge fate and redo everything without delay. To give it a sense of urgency in its sound, by being methodical in the exclusively analog technique, and the artistic choices became radical and obvious. HIDE is the musical project of Alban, a self-taught multi-instrumentalist singer. He has been involved in musical groups since the age of 15. Over about ten years, depending on the era, he trained in different styles and, by inertia, learned to play numerous instruments, sometimes built from scratch. In parallel, from 2003 to 2006, he took his first steps in an improvisation theater troupe called CRU (commando rituel urbain) created by the actor Mathieu Duret and the Casa Musicale de Perpignan. In 2009, enriched by these multiple experiences, he took on the role of leader and formed a band named Agitate Lips with several notable references, festivals, and opening acts such as: Musilac festival, Les Déferlantes, Le MaMa, opening acts for: Skip the Use, General Elektriks Grand Blanc, The Bellrays... In 2016, he joined 'The Limiñanas' for the band's live version, following the release of the album "Malamore". In 2019, he accompanied 'L'Épée', which also featured The Limiñanas with Anton Newcombe (Brian Jonestown Massacre) and Emmanuelle Seigner, touring Europe and cities like Tel Aviv, Sydney, and Istanbul. HIDE was born from the tumult of those around him, of what surrounds us. And what you make of it. As he traveled, inspiration became clearer. First in small notebooks and through analog photography, then as demos in a home studio between tours. The tracks matured and came to life gradually, influenced by David Bowie, Bon Iver, and Arctic Monkeys. From April 2020, thanks to poems written by Nataliya Malakhova in English, Alban recorded the first opus behind closed doors for 6 months, released on June 18, 2021. It received good reviews from the French press. The music is composed according to what each poem represents, with the main subjects being a certain vision of introspection linked to idealistic and dystopian romanticism. On stage, Hide's live performance features 5 musicians. An eclectic musical style somewhere between rock and folk, blending unique and progressive soundscapes for each track. "Hide returns. Alban, one of the most evanescent artists on the southern scene, unveils his latest electrified pantheism. An album "Seven Heaven" to be released on April 14 and a date at the Mediator in Perpignan on April 27. You have been warned. Lost in this strange era. Wandering with his long graying beard through the streets of Perpignan, he arrives at our meeting on a magic carpet from a galaxy known only to him. Alban, founding master of his Hide project, composer, conductor of this whole electrified show, exudes the serenity imposed by his ascetic studio appearance. Don't be fooled, though. This sharp talent also performs on stage with The Limiñanas and takes advantage of this year of hibernation from the Cabestany band to bring the Hide caravelle to port. A second album, "Seven Heaven", following the 2021 E.P "Mono & Decrease", simultaneously appears in vinyl bins. Stolen tracks: It was with Anaïs (guitar), Cholo (guitar), Julien (bass), and Paul (drums) that Alban had to revise his recording plans at the Stéréodrome studio in Le Soler. During a date on The Limiñanas' last tour, his laptop containing the demo tracks for half of the songs intended for this album was stolen from the dressing rooms. The anguish of an empty fridge. Without any backup, everything had to be redone from scratch. With Sylvain Philippon at the Stéréodrome console, Alban's choice as a highly committed producer was for live studio takes. The organic essence of his music was thus preserved and can be said to be magnified by this excellent group work: "This is what I call progressive regression. The album was born from this theft. Everything had to be redone even though I had demoed 90% of the music. So I gathered the musicians and took artistic direction, choosing sounds, effects, spending hours on a snare drum sound. The understanding was there. I played all the keyboards, some guitars, and of course, sang. I really worked very hard on the sound and analog recording at the Stéréodrome with Sylvain, and achieved what I truly felt in my work." Romantic fragments: Seeking out all romantic fragments of our time, resisting the call of the impending nuclear and climatic apocalypse, Alban prioritizes healthy relationships with those around him. Easy to say, but eliminate harmful situations around you, and you will often realize that you are bathing in great solitude. Torn between a mad consumerism and the preservation of true feelings, Alban, for his lyrics, once again called upon Nataliya Malakhova, a poetess and Hide's 6th element, to put her words to his music. A fine example of humility for this creator of meteoric and psychedelic sounds, who unites around his constantly moving solar demands. --- Thierry Grillet --- L'INDEPENDANT ---.