» Lazuli

Da Da Da? No! La La La? Less then ever! Lazuli? Yeaaaaah!!!

Lazuli is band from southern France, founded in 1998. In 1999 they released their debut album Lazuli which was followed five years later by Amnesie, 2006 En avant doute and two years ago Réponse Incongrue à l’ Inéluctable.

After the shocking separation from three long standing band members Lazuli performed the first concerts with the new members  Romain Thorel (keys, accordion, french horn) and Vincent Barnavol (drums, dercussion). And we may find out, releaved and exhilarated: Lazuli are back again, back in the future! The both new comrade-in-arms are fitting well into the giant rhythm and sound cascades of the french ethno folk chanson progger. Even when it still lacks on the optics yet (short hair!) they have helped Lazuli to do a musical step onwards. Naturally it's nearly impossible to describe this with words, that's why you should take a look at the new line-up live, best at Zappanale #22.

Dominique Leonetti - Vocals, Guitar
Claude Leonetti -  Léode, Backing Vocals
Gédéric Byar - Guitar
Romain Thorel - Keys, Accordion, Backing Vocals
Vincent Barnavol - Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals

Léode – what's that? Well, it's an invention from Claude Leonetti from the times when he wasn't able to play guitar anymore after a motorbike accident. Leodé is a mix between guitar and keyboard but has neither strings nor keys. The fingerboard is kind of a sensor which changes touches electronically into sound. There exists only one of this instrument.

Another instrument which is responsible for the typcial sound of Lazuli is the so-called Warr Guitar. It's a stringed instrument, developped by Mark Warr, and is a bit similar to the Chapman Stick whick became a cultic intrument. But in contrast the Warr Guitar owns a corpus, mostly from real wood. These guitars exist with 8, 10 or 12 strings. Technically it's a traditional electric guitar, optimized for tap technic. It also may be played horizontally as well as vertically. In the surroundings of progressive rock it was Trey Gunn from King Crimson who caused the Warr Guitar to become known.
At Lazuli percussion stands for vibraphone, marimba, metalophone and drums.  With this kind of instruments Lazuli is creating an entirely independent sound which is nowadays nearly a sensation. That's why they have been an utterly insiders' tip for quite a while. Those who were lucky to experience this incredible musical mixture live on stage will be inevitably addicted. Like everybody (!) who saw them at Zappalane #20. 

Moreover there ist the theatrical singing from Dominique Leonetti, whose pitch of voice approximates the one from Jon Anderson nahe kommt.  At the beginning this might be a bit irritating because of the optic and even might need getting used to, but it fits the music remarkably.

To describe the sound in its entirety: Elemts of progressive rock, chanson, folk and world music are meeting the most unbelievable sounds and heavy storms of percussion. It's just impossible to pigeonhole them because the music of Lazuli is too multifaceted. But if you need a comparison maybe the description "King Crimson meets Peter Gabriel" will help you out.

Homepage: http://www.lazuli-music.de/

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