Holden are a duo based in Paris, France with a unique sound that mixes all and everything beautiful. Their world is the world and their sound is sound. Max and minimalism. Harmony and disharmony. Happy and sad. Comparisons and influences would be useless. There are too many. ‘La Machine Holden 1998 – 2008.’ a compilation or ‘ best of …’ their work to date will say it better.
Guitarist Mocke and singer Armelle Pioline formed the group in 1997.
They released their debut album – ‘ L’Arriére Monde’ the following year on the french independant label Lithium and had a surprise hit in Chile with the single ‘La Machine.’ The beginning of a long affair with the South American country.
They signed a new deal with another french label – Village Vert – in 2000 and started their now famous/infamous relationship/collaboration with Uwe Schmidt, alias Senor Coconut, el maestro, who recorded and produced the group’s second and third album ‘ Pedrolia’ 2002, and ‘Chevrotine’ 2005.
Chevrotine was highly critically acclaimed around the world with songs like ‘ Ce Que Je Suis’ and ‘Madrid’ being released on a number of foreign compilations and soundtracks. It was voted ‘album of the year’ by France’s national daily newspaper – ‘Libération.’ It also convinced the highly fashionable french film-maker – Mywenn – to ask the group to write a song for her new feaure film due for release at Cannes next year.
The idea of the compilation – ‘ La Machine Holden’ was to bring together the band’s favourite tracks from the first three albums and throw in their wonderful cover of the Smith’s ‘ The Boy With The Thorn In His Side’ as a special bonus. It’s not easy for those indie labels around the world who adore Holden to release three back- catalogue albums – so this seemed the most logical idea. A way of introducing Holden to ‘other places’ around the globe. This compilation will only be available OUTSIDE france.
The group was recently invited to Brisbane in Australia by Valve Records and the Gallery Of Modern Art to play ‘Picasso – Up Late’ night. A sold-out crowd warmly received the duo and they think and hope yet another relationship has been born… the experience was magical, especially for the group.
Valve records release the compilation exclusively in Australia and the East and Holden hope the success of the record will see the release in 2009 by Valve of their new album, currently being mixed, ‘Fantomatisme’. Holden intend to return to Australia sometime next year for a live tour in support of the compilation and eventually the new album.
Fantomatisme will be released in France on the 14th February 2009 and will be released worldwide to correspond with the touring of number of various countries (Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, England, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Russia, Poland, Canada, Australia and hopefully – the far East.)
HOLDEN – La Machine 1998 2008 is out now on Valve/MGM. Featuring among many great tracks the cosmopiltan hits – Madrid, Ce Que Je Suis, La Machine, Sur Le Pave… and The Boy with a Thorn in his Side. For interviews, images and more contact consume1@ozemail.com.au or brian@rishrecords.com www.holden.fr
