Bands like Tahiti 80, who craft beautiful pop gems, are rare to find everywhere else but France. There’s something about the weather, the culture, or the wine that provides fertile ground for well-crafted music. Having met at the University of Rouen in the mid 1990’s, the band started out as a duo that soon evolved into a four piece, releasing their first album, Puzzle, in 1999. The band has continued on touring and making music. Their latest, Activity Center, is set to be released on November 24.
What is the secret to the French renaissance of music? Well, according to lead singer Xavier Boyer, “We’ve [the French] got a fresh attitude towards music. We always had a tradition of Library, Soundtracks even Disco musicians, I would say that our Pop culture was so low that it took us 30 years to understand foreign music and make it ours. We use the same canon as the Brits or Americans, but our perspective makes it different.”.
The key to their music and the sustainability is, according to Boyer, that “Pop music is the key. First we focus on the songwriting, the song should stand on its own without any instruments other than a voice, a guitar, or a piano (even though, we can start a song with a drum loop). It should be catchy, yet still experimental. I guess the main influence, sorry for the cliché, are The Beatles. But basically, we like anything from Aphex Twin to The Zombies”.
The band’s focus on simplicity and craft allows for plenty of versatility. Their songs develop organically. The difference in style between albums can be striking or subtle, but never feels forced. “We always try to have a new ‘concept’ or a direction for a new album,” Boyer said. “For this one, I think we wanted to get away from the computer oriented Fosbury. So we went for a classic band approach. I also wanted the listener to get a picture in his head: four or five people in a room recording together, almost like a live show. That’s why we kept it simple, there are less arrangements than on any of our previous work.”
That’s the joy of seeing the band live as well. The band only had two shows on their itinerary, one at the Troubadour in Los Angeles, and Mercury Lounge in New York City. For a band with limited exposure in the United States, it didn’t feel like it at the Mercury Lounge. The venue was crowded, everyone eager to see this band, and everyone seemed to be at home with the songs.
The band seemed to be at home, delighted with the warm response. Even with an early snafu involving cables, the band did not miss a beat. Their humor and charm were apparent and the songs sounded timeless.
The songs did not try to capture the latest sound, or incorporate the latest trends. There were no synths, worldy/trippy instrumentals, echoing harmonies. Just tried and true music, honest in its intentions and not trying to be more clever than what’s good. It’s nice for a band to show restraint.
A shot of the band posted to Tahiti80.com during their New York visit
The show had a nice flow, despite it being late on a Saturday, there was plenty of dancing and plenty of smiling faces. It was a room full of friends and the set was a long one which included the songs “1,000 Times,” “Heartbeat,” and “Yellow Butterfly.”
This idea of not trying to capitalize on the latest trends is crucial to a band like Tahiti 80 and for Boyer. “I’m always looking for inspiration in the new books, movies, travels, et cetera. But I always thought that to be fashionable one day is the best way to become a has-been the next.
“We have a saying in the band: five years ahead, ten years too late!”
So be on the lookout later this month, as Activity Center is released, and next year as the band properly tours America.
Tahiti 80 – Activity Center [Track Listing]
1. 24 X 7 Boy
2. Unpredictable
3. All Around
4. Brazil
5. Fire Escape
6. One Parachute
7. Tune In
8. Dream On
9. White Noise
10. Come Around
11. Whistle
12. Ear To the Ground
13. All Around Christmas
14. Good Boy
15. All Around [Yuksek Remix] – (remix)
16. All Around [Chateau Marmont Remix] – (remix)
17. Unpredictable [Maradiostar Remix] – (remix)
18. Unpredictable [Wagner Love Remix] – (remix)
Live4ever guest contributor Charles Poladian, TheMusic.FM
