SUR LA PLANCHE 2013 by La Femme

La Femme is a chic six-piece out of Paris (mostly) that have been gaining some wide recognition in their homeland and the rest of Europe for their addictive blend of cyber-surf that combines elements of Stereolab and Ladytron with a sprinkle of surf pop just for good measure. The band self-released its debut EP, Le Podium #1: La Femme, in 2010, and followed it up with a few more singles and EPs leading up to its release

FUZZ by Mil Mascaras

HoZac Records has a new batch of releases that is expected to be shipping soon (very soon), and it includes this scuzzy gem of a 7" debut EP from Mil Mascaras out of Strasbourg, France. The band is no longer together and their output until now has been limited to a split 7" with other French band The Normals in the mid 2000s, but HoZac has craftily put together

SALVATION by The Limiñanas

Our favorite retro beatnik French rockers, The Limiñanas, are following up 2010's self-titled full-length, with Crystal Anis, from HoZac Records...out on July 31.  Take a listen to 'Salvation' off the new LP as well as the band's quite beautiful cover of The Beach Boys, 'I Know There Is An Answer,' which is taken from a tribute to The Beach Boys as part of the May

[on repeat] WALL OF SMOKE by Volage

Volage are a four-piece garage band out of France that just self-released their debut EP, Maddie E.P., in digital and cassette form. It consists of five tracks that each incorporates a varied element from the genre making it an overall consistent release without the monotony of all sounding like one song, which some early releases can be

JE M'EN VAIS by The Liminanas

Je M'en Vais

I'm Dead (previously on CWR)

Our favorite French throwback garagers, The Liminanas, have a new 7" that accompanied their recent tour across the Eastern and Central US.  Trouble In Mind Records released it as a limited edition of 500 and there are still some available (buy).  The A-side, '(I've Got) Trouble In Mind,' is signature Liminanas with the 60's groove and twangy guitar.  The B-side, 'Je M'en Vais,' breaks away from the formula featuring

AF3458 by The Liminanas

AF3458
Je Ne Suis Pas Tres Drogue (previously on CWR)
She's On My Track by Les Bellas (previously on CWR)

I'm not sure why this one has been sitting in my inbox for so long because The Liminanas and their fuzzy 60's garage sound are definitely a favorite around these parts as I've discussed here more than once.  I guess this tune didn't come with news of a new LP release so it inadvertently sat on the backburner for a while, but don't let that give you an

[on repeat] NO BIRDS by Cheveu

No Birds
Happiness

Frenchmen Cheveu aren't your typical Frenchmen in that their music conveys a much different feel than what you'd normally expect from a French outfit...it's glorious racket with grit, strings, electronics, and riffs.  It's The Animals take on Serge Gainsbourg tunes with a hint of DeVotchKa baroque.  They released their second LP, 1000, January 18 on Born

[on repeat] BELLADELIC by les bellas

les bellas started out with an expected release of their debut lp, belladelic, three years ago in perpignan, france.  the record label that promised to released the record went back on its word and unfortunately it never happened.  since then, the group has disbanded and moved on to other projects, most notably the liminanas who have been featured on here previously and are currently getting very regular spins.  two french labels (SDZ and Les Disques Steak) have pulled belladelic from the rubble and made it available to the world on 9/1.  the ironic thing is that it sounds just like that...a dusty relic that could've been discovered in the basement of a french beatnik, coffeehouse.  one of the more admirable qualities (i suppose) is that they don't just sound like a band from the 60's, they feel like they existed in that time and are being re-released today.  belladelic is availably on vinyl here.  so what goodies are available here today you ask?  well, two tracks from belladelic, two b-sides from singles (not on the lp, but grab the a-sides for free at profet records), and of course one tune from their current project, the liminanas.  enjoy!

belladelic

a dream that slips

she's on my track (from hey i'm going down 7") 

out for a nonsense day (from electrified 7")
by les bellas (myspace | SDZ | Les Disques Steak)

je ne suis pas tres drogue
by the liminanas (myspace | trouble in mind)

I'M DEAD by the liminanas

unmistakably french, the liminanas blend stereolab, serge gainsbourg, and the velvet underground into their 2010 version of a garage/warehouse lounge sound.  they had 2 singles out in april of this year that are available on trouble in mind records and hozac records.  their self-titled debut lp is expected in october on the trouble in mind label. i can't pick which of the two tracks below i like better.

i'm dead

je ne suis pas tres drogue
by the liminanas - (myspace | trouble in mind)

ROSE A.D. by automelodi

fans of the dark, industrial sound of the early 80's definitely need to check out this trio from montreal. their self-titled lp includes both of these tracks and came out in july of this year on post-wave label wierd records. if this leaves you wanting more, they also self-released an ep, fait ses courses, last year.

rose a.d.

baunderie jazz

by automelodi (official | wierd records)