Cédric started his musical journey in a guitar store, walked in and just loved the instrument. After a bit of practice and a few classes, he was playing covers (Metallica, Megadeth, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, etc.) with friend and guitarist Phil Künzle. Feeling like something was eluding his playing Cédric started writing original music, mostly instrumentals at first, and started a band by adding his brother Alban on drums. Cédric switched from guitar to bass, believing that the bass had more untapped sounds and that he could find his own sound on the instrument. The band 4Element was an amazing learning school and was a safe haven to experiment at will. It is still a very strong influence to this day.
After finalizing the 2nd 4Element album in 2005, which he produced and recorded, Cédric started playing around with a lot of electronics. He also played improv gigs with world music groups around town, playing with Turkish flutists, tabla players and sitarists. Cédric also played in several other rock bands trying to find the right fit.
Friend and co-member of 4Element, DJ Lion-O, asked him to produce a small 3 songs EP with Jeff Raben, a singer from Houston scene. That project became a full-length album and opened the world of recording and production to Cédric. It then took over a year and a half to complete. Dirty Desires was finally released in April 2008 and quickly followed by a string of productions and albums, a few more collaborations with DJ Lion-O and an album with his brother who lived overseas, all in a very electronic vein. It culminated with the release of I, an album consisting of songs, pieces, experimentations and melodies created over many years but set aside for a long time.
After spending much time with editing electronic albums, a change of pace was needed and Cédric then collaborated with a singer from Gabon Eric Mbadinga-Nzamba and an American folk-rock singer, Corey Butler. These resulted in two releases in 2011, Continuum and Sweet Release, respectively. After those mostly acoustic albums, the number of productions dwindled down for several years, partly due to a move to Austin and also because of incredible encounters with talented musicians.
These encounters had a major impact on Cédric, both on his playing and on his production ideas. He has been refocusing his energy on his own playing, continuing the bass in several projects and improv shows, but also finally moving exclusively in using the touch guitar as his instrument of choice. He has been playing soundscapes and spontaneous compositions both solo and with the duo DiM13NSiON. Eternity’s Antechamber, exploring the soundscapes of the first couple of years, was released in September 2015. A remix album of some of those tracks was released in February 2016. Eternal Encouter is a 6 track EP. More ambient tracks were produced and edited to form the basis for the second Theys' brothers album, Sirius, released in 2019.
Alban started playing drums at the age of 10. He formed 4Element with older brother Cedric and would continue playing with them until the age of 18 and recording his first album at age 16. Having to move back to France in 2002 to study, Alban left the drum chair empty and quit 4Element. Practicing drums in Paris is a bit more difficult than in the US so he delved deeper into electronic music and composing and programming on a computer.
For the first few years, Alban kept himself busy and ended up with enough material for his first album, iMachination. He did everything on it with a bit of mixing help from his brother on the other side of the Atlantic. None of this music has been played live with a band but the challenge would be very fulfilling!
At the same time, he played with a variety of bands in Paris, some cover bands, some original stuff, some improv. Jass & Bazz started actually as an improv band and evolved into a great cohesive group, churning beautiful songs with jazz influences as well as prog and pop. The band played live quite a bit and did several recording dates. Those recordings are now being worked on for future release. The band has collapsed to be reformed in a different way!
As if all that wasn't enough, Alban and Cedric decided to collaborate on some music, Alban on one side of the pond and Cedric on the other. The album is based on some of their explorations on the computer. In 2007, after 2 years of hard work and sending files across the Atlantic, they release Re-De-Generation. To keep it in the family, the artwork is from their sister Sophie. An all-instrumental album with a lot of surprises as you can expect from those two. In 2019, they released a follow up duo album, Sirius.
DiM13NSiON (pronounced Dimension Thirteen) is a duo comprised of Thomas McGregor on 5-string violin and Cédric Theys on 8-string U8 Touch Guitar. They produce together mesmerizing improvised tracks ranging from ambient to experimental, touching on classical and rock.
Their first encounter was in 2014 for a small project they both worked on. They decided to play together more extensively after talking about improvisation, electronic music and the combination of very different instruments. It took over half a year to actually start playing and see the potential of what would soon become DiM13NSiON. In less than 4 months, the duo released its first album with the plan to release a second companion album within a year.
The first album, Imagur, was released on April 22nd 2015 and the second one, Rugami, released on December 3rd of the same year. Imagur garnered several reviews and accolades and, though Rugami has just been released, those who have heard it, all say it's even better than the first one and explores new realms and directions. Both albums are available at the MDR store. The two albums were conceptualized at the same time and the duo had already planned on releasing both within the same year. The first one being much darker and exploring mechanical sounds, Cédric and Thomas decided that the second one would be lighter and explore sounds closer to nature. Thus both albums are mirrors of each other, the yin and yang in us all and in nature. Of course the two albums have very similar approaches and sounds but the duo significantly changed its modus operandi for Rugami. The violin is more prominent, the soundscapes are not as important and melodies and guitar tones embellish the overall picture.
DiM13NSiON plans to explore more of the dichotomy between man and earth, mechanical and nature. You can expect more videos and a multi-media show in the new year. This project will include a graphic artist, a video crew and lights in a site with peculiar architecture. The duo is very excited about this project which will bring their music even more dimensions.
You can enjoy a free track recorded live on December 19th; it was the last piece of the set and felt so right the duo decided to release it right away. Hear and download here.
Press for Imagur:
On ZazenLife
On Sphere Music
Around 2006, while in college together, Quentin on keys, Alban on drums and PA on vocals and bass started to play together. They tried out several other instrumentation (trombone, sax, guitar) to finally get to the basic Jass & Bazz line up of vocals, piano, drums and bass when Yann joined the band in 2008.
Right from the start, they played shows at college parties where they defined their sound: influenced by jazz improvisation, with drum and bass rhythms for the festive atmosphere. After years of playing, structured pieces started emerging while keeping an instinctive way of playing during live performances.
Concerts took place in many bars, Parisian clubs and houseboats on the Seine River. They were regularly accompanied by guest musicians to keep the music fresh and to create surprises during their shows. They will even played Le Trabendo, a renowned Parisian concert hall in November 2009 for the Fallenfest festival, where the three live tracks on this album were recorded. They will also play La Cigale, another renowned Parisian club, the following January.
In the Fall of 2010, Jass & Bazz goes at the Tournan studios for recording sessions. The album is recorded in one day with one, two or three takes per song with the whole band playing with full energy. They will play their last show in February 2012 on the barge, La Ginguette Pirate, while the outside temperature hits 10°C below zero.
Eric is from Gabon, France, the United States... he is a citizen of the World. A man who, by the way he sings and sees the world, gives back their hearing to those who were once deaf, and their sight to those once blind... Eric is like a tall glass of cold water in a hot and dry desert, in the middle of the day. Refreshing would not cut it to describe him! He wears his heart on his sleeve, cares for his family, friends and the humanity of every individual; he takes the blows that so often happen in life and turn them into inspiration and opportunities.
His soul has always been singing and after discovering his own voice and his gift for telling a story he has people singing along with him, offering a glimpse into a spirit that has no boundaries and no doubts of a better tomorrow. Born on one continent but yet citizen of the world, virtually all cultures are echoing in him; he has found balance in singing his diversity.
He embarked in an adventure to record songs about his children, his family, his country and forgotten culture, the strength of the human spirit, forgiveness, friendship and our human bonds. Through many turns in the road and a constant faith that the project would be finished, Eric created Continuum... a first glimpse into a dimension where humanity is united.
One of the twists in the road was to record a tribute to South Africa and its team for the 2010 World Cup, the first time the World Cup took place in Africa. "Bafana Bafana!" was written, recorded and produced in a marathon session which lasted just 2 days... 2 evenings really! You can hear it below with the video, which accompanies it. You can also download your free copy here and read the lyrics and their translation here.
The 'Bafana Bafana!' video and Eric with the Continuum band at BFE.
The 4Element story starts in 1998. Just an idea to play cover songs (and maybe more) with friends from high school. No band name, no real songs. Just starting to learn to play.
From that first band, three members decided to continue and start writing music. Phil on guitar and the Theys' brothers, Alban on drums and Cedric on bass. The name 4Element is chosen to represent the band. A concept uniting the four natural elements of wind, fire, water and earth... and a spelling mistake made on purpose.
A few months after the start of the 4Element journey, Xavier joins the band. On guitar and eventually vocals. The songs start to really jell together and be completed thanks to Xavier's past experience in a multitude of bands back in France... And a very patient temper! What are four Frenchmen doing in Texas playing progressive music!
2000 will be the year of the first album, Living Spirit. After some unsuccessful recording sessions, 4Element settles in a rehearsal space and practice, practice, practice... to finally get in the studio in April and June and record 9 songs during the graveyard shift, 8 hours of none stop playing! Finally in October the album is mastered and ready to blow people's minds. 'Living Spirit' is the start of a concept where no limits were allowed and everything needed to be explored.
During 2001, 4Element plays shows, writes more music. In October Phil decides to pursue other dreams and 4Element is back to its original format as a trio. And what a trio! Some people were saying that it felt like 6 people were on stage! We would always look at each other smiling and never reveal our secrets!
The first gig at the end of 2001, just a few months after Phil left was a test of Xavier's nerves. But at the end of the show he said that this beast was finally out of the cage. And 2002 proved to be just that with gigs in many places and new music flowing out from every pores. The music was more aggressive but subtler at the same time and with the use of synth guitars, effects and electronics.
But in mid 2002, Alban left to go back to France and the beast was stopped square in its tracks. It wouldn't be till the end of the year that 4Element would find a new breath with the addition of Tom on percussion and Esteban on drums. The music would have more of a metal approach with amazing lyrics from our dear percussion player, Tom. His first songs ever and all were used in the band. Cedric started singing as well to help out Xavier and the band kept churning new songs.
The whole year of 2003 sees the band playing still more shows. During the summer, Alban has time to record some drum parts for a yet untitled album.
2004 will be another turning point: the end of the band with Tom leaving first. 4Element keeps playing as a trio, a form that seems to work well for this group. More recordings take place, now with Esteban drumming away. Towards the end of the year he will also leave permanently. Xavier and Cedric finish recording the last parts, knowing full well that this second album will be for posterity. By the end of 2004 a chapter closes; 4Element expires.
During 2005, Cedric with the help of Xavier finalizes the last recordings, edits and mixes the album at home. The second album Duplicity is homegrown and in May it is finished and done with a DVD including videos from some of the different 4Element shows.
Will 4Element rise from its ashes? That's a question that arises now and then...
Video details: Those videos were part of a DVD put together for the Duplicity album. All the details here are from the DVD. Underground Waltz has the album’s audio track because the audio from the video tape was extremely poor. The concert footage is all from the same date from one camera. The four other tracks are from one camera and the audio is from a stereo recording we had done during the concert. Luckily the sound is better on the stereo recording than on the video tape.
Xavier Chasseuil: Guitar, Vocals
Alban Theys: Drums, Percussion, Drum machine
Cédric Theys: Bass, Stick
Cameraman: Philippe Theys
Editing, mixing, few minor fixes: Cédric Theys
Video details: Those videos were part of a DVD put together for the Duplicity album. All the details here are from the DVD. Mid Century Sky Jump is a video that was blown up to fit the whole screen so if looked at closely (but who would want to do that!!) it looks a little squary and pixely. Fake Talk is combined with 2 cameras, one being of low quality (which explains the little pop-ups here and there).
Xavier Chasseuil: Guitar, Vocals
Tom Hoole: Percussion, Drum Machine, Vocals
Cédric Theys: Bass, Stick
Esteban Tucci: Drums
Cameramen: Philippe Theys & Fidel Garcia III
Editing, mixing, few minor fixes: Cédric Theys
Music is in every atom of his being. It is something he craves. It is something he needs. It is his drug. He cannot center his self without having this creative flow. DJ Lion-O remembers, as a child in elementary school about to graduate to middle school, the band visited, recruiting new members. He wanted to play the cello so he could play the theme song for Jaws. There was something about those deep tones that resonated in him. To his dismay his father would not allow him to play an instrument. He reflects that it was probably a mixture of money and a desire for peace and quiet in the house.
Through his childhood this embryonic desire to create music existed in his heart. It was not until his 20’s though that he acquired his first instrument, an acoustic guitar. A series of life events, including schooling, kept him from practicing it. It was not until graduating college and had come back to Houston that DJ Lion-O's musical journey began.
He started playing hand percussion and joined his first band, 4Element. The only American in the band, he was playing the most ethnic instrument. The band members were from France and Argentina. It was progressive rock. This was to be his crash course on many musical things. He started to write lyrics and play with electronics. But eventually 4Element dissolved and he had to forge ahead.
After a long hunt searching for a new project, it was through an ad online that DJ Lion-O met Mark Badillo who introduced him to Shaka. As a duo they began fleshing out songs, which eventually started a band called The Soarce. It was also the genesis for DJ Lion-O's first album, Dirty Desires, which included the songs Stripper Girl, Roman Orgy, and These Things. Dirty Desires was mainly programmed but with guitar, bass and vocals accompaniment.
The programming experience inspired two more albums. Soy Montana was an instrumental album, mostly techno driven. The other one, Altered, was a group of ambient pieces. It was inspired by such great albums as Pink Floyd’s Animals.
After the rigidity of electronic music, DJ Lion-O started working with improvisational elements. A new project came together called Suns of The Tide. It included 4Element's bassist, Cédric Theys, and Orents Stirner's vocalist, Fletcher Stafford. The trio eventually joined forces in Orent Stirner for quite some time.
Then for 5 years, DJ Lion-O focused more on other art forms such as digital design, painting, writing and of course, more unreleased music. It was time to release a new album in the vein of Soy Montana but with all the experiences of the past years. It feels that this fourth album is a distillation of the previous ones. Visceral is again all instrumental but no voices are needed to make a point. There's a sense of peace in this collection even though some of the subject matters, alluded to by the titles, are from deep inside.
Having now moved to Denver, DJ Lion-O is currently playing for a folk based experimental project that has yet to be named. Karmic Popsicle comes to mind as a good band name. His musical journey still continues to this day... to be continued!
Corey Butler is a minstrel of the 21st Century. He goes wherever his music is needed, captivating audiences with his vocal abilities and unique guitar style. He has toured the Southern US extensively and is now on a new adventure in South America. Surely his travelling will continue to broaden Corey’s sound as he goes to Mexico, Costa Rica and elsewhere.
After several years playing in some of Houston’s staple bands (Naked Content, Four Men Walking), Corey decided to go solo in order to express a more intimate side of his music. After years of playing venues with various artists, Corey honed his skills and made his voice and guitar melt into one instrument. Audiences continuously ask for more and enjoy the directness of his lyrics and the intricate patterns of rhythms and chords he plays on guitar.
Corey started his musical career by releasing a self-titled album in 2006. After touring with that album for a year and a half, Corey landed in Denver and made it home for a while. Always on the move, he began making plans to travel to South America. While preparing his trip, he had time to record his second album, Sweet Release, which was released in mid-2011 after a year of back and forth between Denver and Houston. Corey is now in Costa Rica making it his home and enjoying the beautiful sunsets of that country, tantalizing new audiences with his guitar and voice.