Ever stick your head inside a pipe organ? You know, one of those European ones; like the old one they have at Westminster Abbey? Or the crazy one they have in Notre Dame des Neiges in Montgesin in France? I imagine doing so is similar to strapping on some headphones and listening to Romain de Ferron, who uses harmonium and synthesizer to get a similar effect. In fact, for his new tape — out NOW digitally (and December 8 on cassette) on Monofonus Press — de Ferron decamped to Notre Dame des Neiges in Montgesin in France to record it. (OMG, I totally didn’t realize that’s where he recorded it when I gave my examples above. I’m dead serious.)
So I guess Notre Dame Des Neiges is more like sticking your head inside a harmonium and synthesizer, even though it’s pretty difficult to physically do that. But hey, let’s face it: your head has to be stuck inside something, and Romain de Ferron’s work is nothing if not immersive in that head-inside-a-reverberating-instrument kind of way. The sound literally penetrates you and fills your body like you’re slowly huffing helium through your ears. Then you’re weightless and floating, bumping against all manner of baroque architecture and sculpture. You’re not even stuck inside…whichever instrument you were stuck in anymore (I’ve lost track).
Notre Dame Des Neiges comes as a fancy cassette and/or MP3 download, which you can order right here. All us hoarders know that physical is best. Still, for those of you who remain unconvinced (or live inside a computer), we’re premiering a stream of the whole dang album down below. Wow, what did you guys even do to deserve this? Oh, right, you’re all on the “nice list,” and it’s almost Christmas The Winter Solstice. Carry on.
[Visit full site to view media]Notre Dame Des Neiges by Romain de Ferron
Notre Dame Des Neiges tracklisting:
01. Mardi 21:57
02. La Mauvaise 12:18
03. La Petite Grosne 10:24
Romain de Ferron tour dates (FYI — they’re all in France. You lucky French. Probably because the churches in France are way better):
01.10.18 - SAINT-ETIENNE - LE 17
01.11.18 - LYON - LE BAL DES FRINGUANTS
01.12.18 - MARSEILLE - DATA
01.13.18 - VILLEFRANCHE DE ROUERGUE - LES HAUTS PARLEURS
01.14.18 - TOULOUSE - PAVILLONS SAUVAGES
01.15.18 - BORDEAUX - L’ANTIDOTE
01.16.18 - NANTES - CAFE DU CINEMA
01.17.18 - RENNES - LE TERMINUS
01.18.18 - CAEN
01.19.18 - ROUEN - L’EMPORIUM GALORIUM
01.20.18 - AMIENS - ACCEUIL FROID NUKE
01.21.18 - TRINCQUES - L’AUREOLE BETHENCOURT
01.22.18 - PARIS
01.23.18 - DIJON - DEEP INSIDE KLUB ROCK + Projection Video