DUPLEX
MAELSTROM
CATID: EUCD2959 | Label: ARC Music
RELEASE DATE: FRIDAY 27th JANUARY 2023
A dreamy and surreal musical travel diary sprinkled with world music, electro-pop & cinematic atmospheres
Duplex was conceived by two renowned musicians of the Belgian scene – Didier Laloy and Damien Chierici. Those familiar with their respective works might be surprised that the two would unite, given they are from different generations and, ostensibly, disparate musical worlds. The result of their creative communion is Maelstrom – a dreamy and surreal musical travel diary that draws from journeys both real and imagined.
The first single from the album – ‘Magic House’ releases on November 18th, 2022, and sees Didier Laloy and Damien Chierici surrounded by yellowed photos, frayed maps and sailor’s mementoes, engulfed in smoke plumes of Havana cigars and buoyed by a few rums dreaming of journeys past and conjuring up new ones.
The themes of discovery and exploration run throughout as the album leads you through myriad scenarios in a fever dream of hypnotic beats. Traditional and modern combine in a seamless blend of classical instrumentation and electronic sound. World music influences are weaved into each song while maintaining a distinctly European feel. You will visit historical moments and timeless movies and span the globe, touching down in countries such as Canada and Bulgaria, the cities of London and New York before finally landing to sun yourself on a Caribbean beach.
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PROJECT MOMENTS |
The Maelstrom journey all began in 2018, during a project based around the American band Nirvana, where Chierici and Laloy first met. There, the seeds of Duplex were sewn. As the project slowly began to bear fruit, the founders cherry-picked two talented musicians to round off the cast of an already intriguing act - adding the bold beats of Oliver Cox on drums and the distinctive tones of Quentin Nguyen on keys.
Didier Laloy specialises in the diatonic accordion, having discovered the instrument at a street party at thirteen. Showing a natural talent and a sharp ear, Didier developed an innovative, intrepid style that has become his signature today. A frequent collaborator, Laloy’s experimental nature has led him to musical realms such as jazz, pop/rock, and even theatre, all the while drawing on his considerable knowledge and experience in world music. Didier is considered one of the most active participants in the international revival of the diatonic accordion.
Damien Chierici is a violinist, composer and arranger. Having studied under Liege luminaries Gilbert Theys and Martin Pirard, he soon uncovered a latent passion for using the violin outside the traditional classical setting. Realising the possibilities of amplification and effects pedals, as well as introducing plucking into his play, Damien also originated a style of his own. At first, he found groups with the peers of his youth and later composed for a litany of Belgian bands and played as a musician for numerous film scores, as well as establishing himself as a prominent performer in Belgium’s flourishing pop/rock scene.
An eclectic and ethereal experience, Maelstrom is one musical voyage you will be glad to have joined.
For further information please contact Amelia Zimmatore | amelia@arcmusic.co.uk | +44(0)1342 770478
ARC Music Productions Int Ltd, PO Box 111, East Grinstead, RH19 4FZ, UK | www.arcmusic.co.uk