French newcomers, The Midnight Revolution are bringing their brand of je ne sais quoi to Adelaide next month for what will not only be their debut Australian performance, but first live show outside of France.
The psychedelic rock band are attending 2019's Adelaide French Festival alongside another emerging French act, Ladylike Lily.
The band has achieved popularity thanks to songwriter Cyril Catarsi's heartfelt poetry and lead songstress Lys Cogui's dreamy and mesmerising vocals. Think Wolf Alice, but less rock and more jazz.
The Midnight Revolution came together piece by piece in 2013 in Rennes after band founder Cyril moved there from Paris.
What resulted was a swirling mass of kaleidoscope sounds, music that feels alive and entrancing, intended to deconstruct notions of imagination and reality. Hard to imagine, but you'll understand as soon as you listen to a track or two.
Adelaide French Festival will be your first Australian performance. Is it also your first Australian visit?
[Cyril] It will be the first time for all of us. French people love Australia. It’s a nice and dreamy destination. We are very excited to discover the country and meet Australians during our Great Ocean road trip.
What is The Midnight Revolution live experience like?
Our music is slow pop, blow-minded universe [sic]. We love planant [hovering] ambience. I think live [music] is to liberate the spirit, to fly in other worlds, to discover melodies and new facets of our personality. Music gives wings, even if we need to tell the public: 'Hey woman/ man, believe in you, follow your dreams and do what you think is good.'
As a French band, what was it like to be approached by someone for a festival in Adelaide?
It’s amazing news and a big event for us. A long travel [sic] across the world to play and share our music. We are so happy and grateful for this opportunity. We can’t believe it yet.
Had you heard of Adelaide before?
It’s incredible, but [our] first singer of The Midnight Revolution was Australian, from Melbourne; he talked about Adelaide when we worked together on the project in Paris. Soon, I can review my old friend!
Do you play many international shows? I saw on your Facebook page that you have international fans clamouring for shows in their countries.
[Our] first international [show] will be in Adelaide. Last year we played at Transmusicales of Rennes, a famous festival in France; this allowed us to [give] a live [performance] for the great KEXP channel; then we had an international visibility, a good chance for us.
Have you played with Ladylike Lily before?
I’ve already heard Ladylike Lily, but it will be the first time we’ll share the stage. Beautiful voice. There are great scenes and bands in north-western France. It’s a very dynamic region culturally, socially. We have a lot of opportunities to play in festivals all year – we are highly attached to our home and proud of where we live.
You noted that there was a particular quote by David Bowie that was special to you: “On the other hand, what I like my music to do to me is awaken the ghosts inside of me. Not the demons, you understand, but the ghosts.” My question is why? What does it mean to you?
We love David Bowie. I love David Bowie. There is a spiritually thing in this quote, really positive with lot of meanings... We [play] music to create emotion, memories, happiness and sadness, all shades of human expression where the ghosts in each of us live.
Ghosts could be different parts of our conscience on our life timeline. I am not the same [person] than [when] I was young, I evolve like everyone. Ghosts are remains of this past life.
Also, you finished your biography with the stirring imperative: “Fermez les yeux, ouvrez votre esprit et laissez-vous guider.” Close your eyes, open your mind and let it guide you. Is that what you want your listeners to take away from your music?
Our [music] is a peaceful way to the clouds, a cool escape in a dreamy land – the best thing is unplug your brain and let go of yourself.
You released 'The Midnight Revolution' single in September with three songs: 'Goodbye', 'Little Bird', 'Where Is The End?'. How has the reception been for those tracks?
We had very good reactions for the last singles 'Goodbye' and 'Where Is The End?'. The new clips have split people a bit more.
I need texts [that] make sense, so we would produce a clip movie with strong ideas, shocking image to mark the spirits, and defend topics that are important to us through our songs. Suddenly there is a shift between music, melody and the picture. We don’t expect to see it when we listen the music, I love that.
What can we expect from The Midnight Revolution in the future. An album? More shows in Australia or overseas?
Our album 'Burning Clouds' release is planned for the Adelaide live show. We recorded it this year in an old-school studio in Britain, on magnetic tapes, completely analogue. We are proud to share this event with the Australian public. Can’t wait.
