Julien Pras, leader of the French bands Calc, Mars Red Sky... is known to be an expert in the art of romanticizing personal tragedies in beautiful and melancholic pop songs, for over 15 years. Southern Kind Of Slang (released in 2010) is his first solo effort and seeks to balance acoustic folk inspiration with a creative production, all home made. Julien built step by step a baroque identity to Southern Kind Of Slang adding to original acoustic guitar project, some piano, strings, flute, harmonium, lapsteel, cello, vibes… Nine months ! That’s the time he needed to write lyrics reflecting seasons passing by, refine arrangements with some friends passing by, smooth transitions, turn his voice in different keys (featuring the American folk singer Emily Jane White on one song) and finally mix all this in order to sound just like if Nick Drake had recorded with Left Banke. Nine months of (almost) solitude and doubts, experimentations and perseverance to give birth to magnificent songs like “Evil Horns”, a mini-symphony that drags us from Danny Elfman’s universe to John Barry’s. Magical is the best way to describe the atmosphere created by Julien who strives to balance his melancholic inclination with his thirst for sun light and warm effects. Southern Kind Of Slang has been highly praised by all the french rock press (Les Inrockuptibles, Rock & Folk, Magic, etc). By early 2013, Julien Pras will release his second solo album, composed and recorded during the last two years, when he also toured with his new psychedelic rock band Mars Red Sky (about 150 shows in 16 countries, including the Roadburn Festival). Let's be sure that this spectacular new album will definitely establish Julien as one of the most gifted songwriters of our generation. "Le meneur de Calc épanouit en solo un songwriting sans égal par chez nous." MAGIC "Génie de l'ombre, que la notoriété pourrait enfin dignement embrasser." NOISE Video : "Angel Of Mercy" from the new album "Shady Hollow Circus" out Jan 2013 here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IZdY-RcTUM