Melomane

New York's MELOMANE make smart, cinematic rock music. They use real instruments, strings and horns, computers and electronic drums to spice up a pop song. Their sound has been described as pop-noir, with lush sonic textures, sweet harmonies, and biting yet hopeful lyrics.

Originally conceived in 1998 by front-man Pierre de Gaillande, Melomane’s line-up eventually solidified to include bassist/vocalist Daria Klotz, cellist/synth-player Frank Heer, keyboardist Quentin Jennings, and drummer Kenny Savelson. Frequent additional performers include Philippa Thompson on violin and saw, Brad Stewart and Jesse Neuman on trumpet, and Jody Redhage on cello.

Glaciers (2006,Vermillion Music) is Melomane’s 3rd full length CD release and the group has expanded on their art-pop arrangements throughout this collection of songs, notably with the track I’m in Love with Love/The Ballot is the Bullet, a timely and personal comment on the American situation as it stands. The opening track Hilarious is a deft love waltz set against the backdrop of global warming and the final track Kill Kill Kill is a death-disco invocation against violence.

Melomane’s first two releases, Solresol (2003) and Resolvo (2001) received rave reviews throughout the US and Europe including Rolling Stone, Magnet, The Village Voice, Intro and more. These CDs are available in the US on the band’s Vermillion Music label via the band’s website www.melomane.org, select online distributors, and in Europe through Hamburg-based XXS Records/Indigo, Seahorse Recordings in Italy and Soyuz Records in Russia.

Over 6 years, Melomane has performed regularly in NYC at venues such as Joe’s Pub, Tonic, Mercury Lounge, BAM Cafe, Northsix, and others. The group tours Europe each year and has appeared at festivals and venues throughout Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Spain, Italy and France. As true ambassadors of American underground rock culture the group was sponsored by the US Embassy in Moscow in September, 2006 for a four-concert series in Russia. Melomane has appeared in New York, nationally and internationally with artists such as Wilco, Keren Ann, Luna, Arab Strap, Eleni Mandell, Fastball, and many others.