News

There's a sterling line-up for the next French Revolution event at Corsica Studios in Elephant and Castle on Thursday 30 September. Anoraak is joined by disco-pop duo Jupiter and rising electro boy Wagner, plus DJs and special guests.

Angular Records is set to reissue a deluxe edition of the cult and now highly-prized 'Polaroïd/Roman/Photo' album by synth pop band Ruth. The original release only sold 50 copies, but the band has since gained notoriety thanks to the inclusion of the track 'Polaroïd/Roman/Photo' on compilations including Born Bad's 'Bippp', Tigersushi's 'So Young But So Cold' and Angular Records' own 'Cold Waves and Minimal Electronics'. A digital download version of the album will feature six bonus tracks.

This years's Transcender festival at the Barbican, which looks at transcendental, devotional, spiritual and sacred music, features a collaboration between French guitarist Titi Robin and qawwali singer Faiz Ali Fai on Saturday 18 September. Rockfort has a pair of tickets to give away - just go here and send us your name in an email titled 'Titi Comp' by Wednesday 15 September. And you can listen to a superb live Rockfort session and interview with Titi here.

This autumn will see a fair amount of Valérie Collective-associated action. In September, Anoraak releases his debut album 'Wherever the Sun Sets'. Produced by Villeneuve, it features guest vocals from "Swedish disco princess" Sally Shapiro. As a taster, a free download, 'Above Your Head', is currently available on the MySpace. Minitel Rose's second album, 'Atlantique', is following on its heels in October.

Housse De Racket have announced a last-minute show tomorrow night (Thursday 12) at The Lexington in Islington. The duo get a UK release for their first album 'Forty Love' at the end of the month - which will be accompanied by a bonus remix album - while they work on the second one with producer Philippe Zdar, who also did the duties on Phoenix's Grammy-winning 'Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix'.

The latest album of abstract soundscapes from producer Laurent Chambert (who also works with cult cold wave chanteuse Marie Möör in The Other Colours)  ‘ALF10 La Société de Curiosités’ can be heard for free or downloaded here, and there are also limited edition vinyl copies to order.

Rockfort is briefly turning Lithuanian next week. Live from 8pm, Tuesday 10 August on Resonance FM, Ludo will be interviewing folk and cabaret-tinged artist Alina Orlova, whose work can be reminiscent of acts like CocoRosie, Cocteau Twins and Anthony and the Johnsons. Daiva Parulskiene, Cultural attaché of the Lithuanian Embassy will also be present to discuss  cultural links between Lithuania and the UK.

The French indie label Les Disques Normal has issued a tribute to Mark Linkous aka Sparklehorse, who committed suicide earlier this year. The album, 'I Wish I Had a Horse's Head' features covers of Linkous's songs by French bands including Centenaire, who contribute a version of 'Sea of Teeth', and Montgomery. It's available as a free download here.

Renowned instrumental composer Yann Tiersen has signed to Mute and will be releasing a new album, 'Dust Lane', on 4 October. The album was produced by Tiersen himself and mixed by Ken Thomas, who has also worked with M83 and Moby. For the first time, the music features analogue synths and other electronic sounds. He will also be on tour in the UK in October and November.

Camden's Koko is playing host to a French-leaning night on 14 August. DJ and producer Kavinsky and Bordeaux's terrible twosome Kap Bambino are topping the bill, and are also joined by Kitsuné-signed Autokratz. Full details are here. Rockfort is giving away a pair of tickets for the event - just send a message titled 'Koko Comp' from here with your name and email address before Thursday 12 August and the winner will be selected at random.