Phoenix - Nunta

Phoenix - Fences

Interview with Phoenix

However, unlike most of their indie brethren that ascend quickly through the ranks from the clubs to the covers of magazines, Phoenix truly deserve it. Ever since Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenixdropped in late May, the French foursome has gotten all kinds of attention way beyond the blog-o-sphere and hipster headlines. They've been selling out shows in America, and everyone seems to love their melodic, ethereal pop. Basketball players like Paul Shirleycop to bumping "1901," while The Hangover stars Zach Galifianakisand Justin Bartha professed their love for the Frenchmen [in an ARTISTdirect.com video interview].

It's a damn good thing too, because quality "indie" figureheads are hard to find…you know, the "scene" icons that lack the pretense and snobbery of being overly "indie." Zooey Deschanel is a fine example and, musically, Phoenix is too.

Vocalist Thomas Mars is pretty stoked about all of this—as he should be. Thomas sat down with ARTISTdirect.com to discuss Phoenix's success through going against the grain, classic films that influenced the new album and much more in this exclusive interview.

Phoenix

Phoenix

Phoenix (1) 

The French band comprises Thomas Mars (vocals), Deck D’Arcy (bass), Christian Mazzalai (guitar) and Laurent Brancowitz (guitar), who started playing music as kids in a suburb of Versailles during the same cultural period that produced late-’90s bands such as Air,Mellow and Daft Punk. The band’s lineup has no permanent drummer or keyboardist.
Phoenix formed in 1999 and started off as the backing band for a remix of Air’s “Kelly Watch the Stars” single. Soon after, Phoenix released their debut album United in 2000. The name “Phoenix” was officially chosen in 1996 when Laurent Brancowitz permanently joined Pheonix after his other band Darlin’ disbanded. The other two members of Darlin’ (Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo) went on to form Daft Punk.