Gil = bass, voice
Bryan = percussions, keys, voice
Riaz = lead voice, guitar, words
Charles = drums
Influences
Guided By Voices, the Byrds, Rain Parade, Big Star, Daniel Johnston, the Who, Love, Ride, the Sebadoh, T.Rex, Neutral Milk Hotel, the Hollies, Butterglory, the Buffalo Springfield, the Olivia Tremor Control, the Smiths, Indienella, Tim Buckley, the Monkees, the Velveteen UnderRabbit, the Clash, the Stone Poneys, Wilco, the Specials, Built to Spill, Miles Davis, Pavement, Tobin Sprout, the Small Faces, the Cure, Slowdive, the Flaming Lips, Edward Said, Franz Fanon, Durkheim and Bourdieu.
Sounds Like
" [R]elaxed and nerdy guitarpop which could so far have flown below all Hype-radars!"-Joachim Hiller, Ox-Fanzine
"[M]usic like this as retro as it might be is never too late - it comprehends the most unmotivated in politics as long he or she has a heart listening to "Open Letter..."-Eric Baudner, Triggerfish
"If you wrung out the dregs of Hendrix’s headband into a carafe of absinthe, you’d have The French Semester, a tranquil throwback to the acid pop of the late ’60s.."-Daniel Stainkamp, LA Citybeat
"The French semester are relaxed, sunny and unconstrained. "Open Letter to the Disappeared" is simply the perfect soundtrack for a hot summer. Unbelievable how simple and convincing it is at the same time."-S. Krutzinna, Magagin (Germany)
"Rousing chords on the guitar, streamlined beat, and Spartan melodies in verse and chorus. . . A musical history without sentimental tears."-Oliver Schwesig, Deutschlandradio Kultur (Germany)
". . .On their CD ‘Open Letter To The Disappeared’ quality song writing and a healthy dose of 60’s pop influences result in a super enjoyable indie-rock collection, reminding of ‘Bee Thousand’-era Guided By Voices and early Shins."-The Spotlight (Netherlands) (more)
" 'Open Letter To The Disappeared’ is like innocence recalled, especially to a disillusioned thirtysomething like me. The long-forgotten places from where it draws inspiration are rejuvenated in sparkling style. The results are deliciously vacant. Get a listen! -Mike Roberts, Whisperin & Hollerin (UK)(more)
"The French Semester turn a trade in sun-baked, lo-fi Californian pop melodies, cleverly melded with intelligently abstract lyrics and warm sugary vocals to produce a laidback, cobbled-together sound that hides the complexity of their songs and sounds like The Beach Boys got young again and invited Grandaddy round to play." -Winston Roache, Winston's Zen (UK)
(more)
"The French Semester doesn’t just employ a well-suited singer - its musicians are also notably adept at placing just the right kind of emphasis on their instruments. Things like Riaz Tejani’s guitar solos and Bryan Sullivan’s keys stride with the tempo; they don’t intimidate or preach — they groove. It’s clear the band has the competency to take its major key melody-driven rock into shoegaze territory, but opts for punchy character instead, protecting the album from pretentiousness. With an enduring carefree/ beach-weather feel and the occasional reference to the ocean floating throughout its lyrics, Open Letter... possesses an undeniable self-awareness that allows the band to drive home the point while being understated, catchy and nostalgic all at once."-Chris Petro, WC Performer (US) (more)
The French Semester is still modernist: song comes before sound and sentiment before irony. They’re all there. Cardinal rules were heeded, then misplaced. Melodies equipped with hooks, rusty ones, then delivered in their imperfection. Attach them to your body and save them for later: shakey melodies for shaking bodies—they’ll come in handy.
The band was in and of the world. India, Asia, Africa, Europe, and S. America. Where hearts break and mend over basic elements. Water, heat, electricity, and protein. They felt compelled to always remind you, like children in the morning. Pop songs of gestalt, flights of fancy over nationalism, ecology, decolonization, and Empire. Call it the marriage of rolling backbeat and third world nostalgia. The sound of classic roots under rickshaw wheels. Scratchy phonorecords and wet laundry beaten on the rocks.
See above for live shows near you and click HERE for general band reviews and updates.
Click HERE for the radio interview with the band on ISGOOD w/ John Hershfeld.
the French Semester (Album Out Now)'s Friend Space (Top 32)
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Hey, Got Charles and Bryan's Geek pics up and I need the name of the Guitarist and band of the last pic in my band Album, if you could help me out. working on pics.....till the break of dawn. Easy,Out!
HEY!!WE ARE PLAYING THIS THURSDAY AT BORDELLO (FORMERLY LITTLE PEDRO'S) ON 901 E 1ST ST IN DOWNTOWN. THE SHOW IS FREE AND WE ARE PLAYING WITH GO BETTY GO AND OBEDIENT WAVES BOTH ARE FUCKING AMAZING. HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!
Cool, I'll be there Monday Night. Hope you don't mind if I, "invade your stage" to take some more pics. Just let me know. The recording didn't turn out too well, because the feed was nothing but vocals practically. I might just have to get my own, small mix board and hook that up to the main, but the ipod recorder worked perfectly. Hope to get the rest of ya'll Geek pics too!
Hi Guys! Well as promised, here is the link to the completed movie... Your poster is in the background of my apartment, but you don't see it in the final version! But we gave you a 'Special Thanks' shout-out. And I guess I owe you a drink at your next show. Hope you like it! THANKS!! Christina
thanks so much for having us. love the T's. we should certainly get together. perhaps Hollywood forever" movie in the cemetery on saturdays. bring da ladies
