Margo

French glitch-pop trio Margo's debut, The Catnap, was originally released in 2002 on the Rennes-based Peter, I'm Flying! label, and Jean Francois Lecoq (electronics/guitars), Mélanie Massons (keyboards/vocals) and Jérôme Naslin (bass) create a magical music that almost suggests a sifting of fairy dust has been sprinkled over them. Formed in Angers in the Loire Valley, the trio initially coalesced as a university course project in the late 80s before mutating into a band at the turn of the century. As well as musical influences from the 80s (the Cure, the Young Marble Giants, Tones On Tail) and the "intimate" electronic scene of the 90s (notably Mira Calix and artists on the Morr Music label), Margo cite "a quiet everyday life" as their inspiration: "My Cat" is about a feline that disappears in the evening, when the narrator hopes it will stay and ward off nightmares. Echoing this interest in the everyday, other tracks on their debut are named after "My Neighbour" ("Ma Voisine") and "The Ball" ("Le Bal'). Taking sonic and emotional cues from To Rococo Rot, Lali Puna, Piano Magic and Múm, the trio juxtaposes simple melodies with precision tooled minimalist electronics to create a music that is warm, pretty but unimposing. They construct near perfect atmospheres for Massons' frequently child-like voice, finding prettiness in the small glitches and ticks of electronica. Featuring both an art teacher and fashion designer, Margo aim to develop closer creative sides - video, graphic design and fashion - so that as a collective form they can find consistency and status", notably performing in clothes specially designed by the band in order to foster complete immersion in their magical world. ~ Rovi