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Fractured in France

>> Octet's Benjamin Morando has problems at home but feels the love in Montreal

"Molson, smoked meat, David Cronenberg, maple syrup…" These are the types of stereotypical Canadiana that Benjamin Morando likes to joke about when you ask him what he knows about our country. Of course, when it comes to Montreal's music scene, he's seriously impressed.

"We like a lot of electronic musicians from Canada, like Marc Leclair (Akufen) and Frivolous. Montreal seems to be a very important and living place for electronic artists. I even know some French artists who have decided to live there. It's like Montreal and Berlin are artistic paradises compared to Paris."

As one half of French laptop-pop duo Octet, Morando knows how hard it is to make an impression at home - he struggles with it constantly. But Morando shouldn't feel alone. As a member of France's recent wave of post-French-touch electronic artists, Morando feels he's in great company.

"The first Daft Punk LP was important and so was the Motorbass LP," he says. "Mr. Oizo is still very talented. But I wasn't very interested in the disco revival. I actually think that Krikor, Jackson, Joakim, Readymade FC and Ark are even more creative and adventurous. It's a pity that most French artists have still to sign their works on foreign labels."

Sure, the global press has continued to fawn over the soul/ambient/breakbeat/Revlover-era Beatles freshness of Octet's latest album Cash and Carry Songs, but Morando feels that while his group have become experts at blending disparate styles and live elements in their music and at their shows - modified toys, synthesizers, eye-catching visuals, live singers, laptops, a piano - France's creative support network remains too painfully fragmented to notice.

"There are not enough labels, not enough magazines, not enough radio, not enough audience. The scene is very separated and individualistic. It's ultimately a bit sad and gloomy here for an electronic musician. Fortunately, we travel and do exchanges with Chilean, Canadian and German musicians. In the end we feel less alone."

With Circlesquare, Montag and Irma La Douce at Cabaret on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 8 p.m., $15

Good grooves

>> Musts at MEG 2004

Wednesday night at Cabaret, Octet will show their love for our homeland alongside an all-Canuck line-up. Vancouver's Output Records phenomenon Circlesquare will bring their dark geometric electronic goth pop, while Montreal's own Montag - whose next album Alone, Not Alone is slated for release on Gooom records in November - will perform some warm vintage synth-inspired magic.

Thursday over at Club Soda, it's eight-bit pop by French duo Teamtendo, whose gritty Nintendo-on-Zoloft sound of their duelling Gameboys is only surpassed by the furriness of their oversized animal costumes. But it's France's Nouvelle Vague who promise to steal the show, with the same smokey bossa nova versions of slanted classics by the Cure, the Clash and the Dead Kennedys, as heard on their excellent eponymous album.

Friday, it's the much anticipated arrival of Belgium's clubbier answer to Stereo Total: electropop duo Vive La Fête at Club Soda. But come early and don't miss NYC house head and all around dancefloor freak Maurice Fulton, who will be spinning and performing punky space house disco with his wife Matsumi under their MU guise (hint: think the '80s Mudd Club on a mesc-ecstasy cocktail).

Saturday, it's a tech-house head's delight at Metropolis with some big names vying for ultimate booty rocker status. Finnish producer Luomo's highly anticipated set will most likely bring MUTEK-ers out in droves, and New Jersey duo Metro Area will no doubt be introducing some rare disco-fied funk to the floor. France's les Clones, thumping cut-up 'n' filtered '70s French-touch and crushing pop breaks, will also be on hand, and Matthew Dear, who hit it huge last year with his "Dog Days" anthem, will also perform live.

Finally, when I heard that South Bronx sisters E.S.G. were coming to Metropolis on Sunday, I was all, "What!? The group that was sampled by Public Enemy, Big Daddy Kane, 3rd Bass, LL Cool J, Marley Marl and Doug E. Fresh, the group that opened up for Clash, Public Image Limited ltd. and Gang of Four, the group that kicked off opening night of Manchester's legendary Hacienda and closed New York's Paradise Garage with Larry Levan - coming here?" Hells yeah! Sunday night: witness the legend with Le Tigre and more.

Finally, don't forget the free 5 à 8 p.m. showcases throughout the festival at the SAT with special guest DJs Lynne T. and Chromeo on Wednesday, DJ Shit and Circlesquare on Thursday and Vincent Lemieux and Nick & Jamie from the Unicorns on Friday. » RK

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