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Luis Francesco Arena's Newsletter is now online !
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“Porcelain Tandem“, the second LP of Luis Francesco Arena (a French songwriter), adventures itself into a special universe. His first album (2005) is full of rage and melancholy, contrasting his moving voice ( at times intense, at times fragile) with his profound music. Once again, the journey promises to be rich in this instristicaly melodic music. Although inspired by true facts, the author confronts these in an imaginary world even distording them, and strange characters take form. An accomplished artist, Luis Francesco Arena deploys his talents of arranger and melodist and imagines an inventive instrumentation giving this recording a timeless, indie pop folk color. As on a vinyl record, « Porcelain Tandem » has two sides: The first part uses the string quartet not only for harmonic support but also as a percusssion instrument. The second part is darker with songs that are slower, melancholic and full of atmosphere. The second album, to a greater extent than the first, intensifies this duality with the title song « Porcelain Tandem », in duo with Camille Berthomier ( John & Jehn). As always, demanding in his arrangements and interpretation, Luis Francesco Arena reclused himself with Peter Deimel (Deus, Chokebore, The Kills, Hushpuppies …), in the Black Box studio to concentrate exclusively on his music during this recording. On stage, ripened by long experience, he is a remarkable interpreter who brilliantly brings to life the acoustic beauty of his works and leads the listeners to intriguing depths. Both instinctive and thought-out, the music of Luis Francesco Arena incites an active, attentive hearing from the first instants. Luis Francesco Arena will take you far beyond conventionnal borders.

REVIEWS

"Luis Francesco Arena writes from a place of profound mystery. Draping strange and poetic lyrics over oblique chords, he brings something truly unique to his shows and records."

Ken Stringfellow (The Posies, REM, Big Star, The Disciplines)

“ D’Elliott Smith à Troy Von Balthazar, LFA apporte sa pierre à cette ravissante ambassade que quelques français décomplexés bâtissent pour le folk psychédélique anglo-américain. “

Les Inrockuptibles

“ Sa voix me rappelle celle bouleversante de Tom McRae, la force émotionnelle de Thom Yorke ou Michael Stipe. “

Guitar Part

“ Une écriture chargée de poésie. Une voix dotée d’un caractère cristallin à la Rufus Wainwright. “

Magic

" A poetic writing. A crystal-clear voice in the style of Rufus Wainwright."

Magic

“A rock singer and musician, unplugged and naked : beautiful.?From Elliot Smith to Troy Von Balthazar, he adds its contribution to this ravishing embassy that a few French artists build for the psychedelic Anglo-American folk music”

Les Inrockuptibles

" Melodic flashes of inspiration."

Popnews

" A fine record, always subtle and magnificiently tormented."

Versus

" His voice reminds me of the very moving one of Tom McRae, the emotional strength of Thom Yorke or of Michael Stipe."

Guitar Part

“Ten secret intimists compositions, melancholic and touching, where the guardian figure of Nick Drake prowls.”

La Gazette du Nord

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Red Handed (live acoustic - ft. François Pierre Fol)

Peanut Eye, a video by Sybille Deligne and Valentin Thévenot

In Vineyards music video by ZAR