Said to sport both the melodic pop sensibilities of Yann Tiersen and Chilly Gonzales and the technical skill of Philip Glass and Erik Satie, Montreal-based pianist Jean-Michel Blais has revealed the details behind his debut record. Featuring eight original compositions, Il will arrive through Arts & Crafts later this spring.
From tinkering on his family's organ at age 9, Blais began writing original music and taking piano lessons at age 11. Training at the Trois-Rivières Music Conservatory as a classical pianist, the rigidity of formal schooling apparently didn't appeal to his gravitation towards improvisation. Settling in Montreal after living in Berlin and South America, a press release reveals that Il was recorded by Blais at home over two years, improvising every day. A taste of the pianist's skill can be heard by taking a listen to "Nostos," the record's first single, in the player below
Il is set to arrive on April 8 through Arts & Crafts and can be pre-ordered here. Scroll past the album's tracklist to hear "Nostos" in the player below.
Il:
1. Hasselblad 4 (improvisation)
2. il
3. Dada
4. Nostos (ft. BUFFLO)
5. Hasselblad 2 (improvisation)
6. Budapest
7. Casa
8. Rondo majeur (trois mains)
From tinkering on his family's organ at age 9, Blais began writing original music and taking piano lessons at age 11. Training at the Trois-Rivières Music Conservatory as a classical pianist, the rigidity of formal schooling apparently didn't appeal to his gravitation towards improvisation. Settling in Montreal after living in Berlin and South America, a press release reveals that Il was recorded by Blais at home over two years, improvising every day. A taste of the pianist's skill can be heard by taking a listen to "Nostos," the record's first single, in the player below
Il is set to arrive on April 8 through Arts & Crafts and can be pre-ordered here. Scroll past the album's tracklist to hear "Nostos" in the player below.
Il:
1. Hasselblad 4 (improvisation)
2. il
3. Dada
4. Nostos (ft. BUFFLO)
5. Hasselblad 2 (improvisation)
6. Budapest
7. Casa
8. Rondo majeur (trois mains)
