|
|
|
|
Agoria at Access - Fri 8 Oct |
  French tech-house/hypno-tech producer Agoria is
appearing at Access (The Honeycomb, Edinburgh) on October 8. This man
needs no introduction, and his EPs are highly sought after. Agoria's
mark has most certanly been made on the electronic dance music scene.
We
have high expectations for this night, as his last appearance at access
reduced the crowd to a sweaty pulp and has left Edinburgh clubbers
eagerly awaiting his return. Expect the Avionix crew to be in
attendance. On this occasion however, we will be manning the dancefloor
rather than the controls!
Agoria Biog
 With just a few EPs,
Sebastien Devaud - a.k.a. AGORIA - has asserted himself as one of the
most promising French producers on the dance scene. His mother is an
opera singer, and his father a visionary architect, providing him with
a rich and cultural background and no doubt playing its part in the
development of his artistic talents.
Starting off his career
with a hectic DJing schedule (playing at many international clubs
alongside renowned artists such as Jeff Mills, DJ Hell, Kevin
Saunderson, Carl Cox and Ritchie Hawtin, to name but a few), he quickly
became frustrated with only playing other people's tracks and in
1999,began to produce his own material.
Influenced by the
Detroit sound, AGORIA's dancefloor-oriented music has a unique groove,
melody and approach. Numerous French independent labels like UMF,
TEKMICS, ZEBRA 3 and A-Traction were immediately charmed by the French
prodigy and released his first productions.
In 2000, AGORIA was
the first DJ to be taken on by the prestigious FAIR, a French support
fund for new acts, signing his first publishing contract with Peermusic
the same year. The year 2002 marked a new era for him when he signed to
[PIAS] and released the first EP called 'La 11ème marche'. In a very
short period of time, this techno anthem had been playlisted by the
best international DJs (from Laurent Garnier to Hell, including Andrew
Weatherall, Alexander Kowalski, Angel Molina and Funk D'Void) and top
radio DJs Pete Tong, Seb Fontaine, Fergie and Colin Murrey. The British
press could barely contain their enthusiasm and called it "one of the
most emotive tracks of the year" (MIXMAG), while MUZIK described it as:
"Paris meets Detroit groove only much much bigger".
The follow
up EP 'Sky is clear/Kofea' was released shortly after and was equally
welcomed. This second hit consolidated his reputation as one of the
hottest new faces outside the limits of France's frontiers. "Another
winner" (MUZIK), "Devaud maakt intrigerende techno met een housey
inslag" (GO Magazine), "Coming hot on the heels of the much lauded 'La
Onzieme Marche', Agoria's roll shows no sign of stopping. Unmissable"
(DOTMUSIC).
Friendships and aspirations in music get more and
more diverse, resulting in a new EP 'Touched By...' (May 2003)
featuring 'Kofea', remixed by Eedio - 'The' French producer to keep an
eye on, from Clermont-Ferrand (Bpitch Control). Also on the EP is 'Sky
is Clear', entirely re-thought by Kompakt label boss Michael Mayer, and
the inevitable 'La Onzieme Marche', remixed by Alexander Kowalski, the
rising star of Kanzkeramt.
Meanwhile, AGORIA works in his den -
named the Circle Room - a year of non-stop sessions, polishing,
construction, doubt, happiness, destruction... all alone, most of the
time. At a Deviant Groove party (Paris), he meets Sylvie Marks (Bpitch
Control). She listens to a demo, goes home to Frankfurt... asks for the
parts and puts her voice beside Kofea's vocals (an imaginary
character). 'Spinach Girl' isborn.
One evening in Paris, Tricky
listens to an instrumental six times in a row. Verdict: "It's the best
hip hop track I have heard for ages!" In the bathroom of his hotel
room, Tricky finds the theme and the lyrics. He wants to record
straight away. '2thousand3' is done the next day.
A few weeks
later, Sebastien finishes his remix of the legendary 'Big fun' from
INNER CITY. Immediate enthusiasm from Kevin Saunderson, they exchange a
few emails and Kevin's wife, Ann Saunderson (the voice behind Octave
One's 'Black Water'), records 'Worth It'... followed by an invitation
to play atMOVEMENT (edition 2003 of the Detroit Electronic Music
Festival) sharing the stage with his idols Kevin Saunderson, Juan Akins
and Kenny Larkin.
Lyon's prodigy finishes his debut album on a cloud. Born on the 22 of September... |
|
|
|
|
Home 
