Les Jupes
August 27th see’s the UK release of ‘Modern Myths’, the debut album from Les Jupes. A new band from Winnipeg, Canada, Les Jupes are versed in expansive musical landscapes, sharp lyrics and an observer’s eye for the world.
‘Modern Myths’ was recorded over a year and a half when Montreal producer/engineer Marcus Paquin (frontman of Last Gang's Silver Starling) found time from working on Arcade Fire's ‘The Suburbs’.
Built around frontman Michael P. Falk’s baritone, charging through waves of psychedelia and driving rhythms, it is a pounding and introspective record, in equal parts fierce as it is playful.
‘Modern Myths’ carries this schizophrenic approach into its lyrics. With tracks written for subjects as diverse as Nikita Khruschev (Stalin’s Ukrainian heir and cold-war architect) and someone wrestling with depression and an eating disorder, Les Jupes are as ambitious thematically as they are sonically.
The album’s overarching subject matter centre’s around the hope of a better life, as fully explored in ‘Modern Myths’ second track ‘One Solemn Oath’.
2011 was a big year for the quartet. ‘Modern Myths’ received a release in Canada and the USA, as well as Germany, Switzerland and Austria (though Instrument Village), garnering worldwide critical acclaim.
They’ve toured with Handsome Firs and Sweden’s Baskery, as well as showcasing tracks at festivals including SXSW, Canadian Music Week, NXNE, Jazz Winnipeg, Halifax Pop Explosion, Sled Island and Pop Montreal.
Looking to continue this success in the UK, Les Jupes will be performing tracks from ‘Modern Myths’ at the following UK shows:
Aug 29 Wilmington Arms, London (EC1)
Aug 30 Bull & Gate, London (NW5)
Sept 2 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff
Sept 5 The 13th Note, Glasgow