100/150 RMB

 

Tahiti 80, marched out of the French border with their debut album “Puzzle” and brought with them a sound that mixed new wave, Britpop and bubblegum pop – the perfect storm of radio friendly rock. Yet, as everyone was basking in catchy tunes, these French hitmakers were creating a sound that would be ahead of their time in terms of style and sonic dynamics. Long before Phoenix had a hit record and Air were making ambient sounds, Tahiti 80 were poised to be Frances biggest export that were not hiding under space helmets (see Daft Punk).

Tahiti 80’s adventure started in the 90s, between Rouen and Paris, when a souvenir T-shirt slogan becomes the name of a band that cuts its teeth with a few Eps then comes together in 1999 with a debut album – “Puzzle”, which brought them a wide success not just in France, but in the whole Europe and US, even in Asian – with a remix of their infectious single “Heartbeat” by “Tokyo indie pop maestro” Keigo Oyamada, Tahiti 80 went gold in Japan!

In a more just musical world, Tahiti 80 would be just as big as Phoenix or Air. As one of the first who bring to the world the idea of “French Touch”, Tahiti 80’s music was aptly described as “sexy edgy soft rock hard pop synth symphony”. Their love for 60’s and 70’s music hugely impacts their sound. Whether you hear it in the pop-infused Puzzle, the dreamy and experimental Wallpaper for the Soul (2003), the groove oriented Fosbury (2005), the raw, back-to-basics approach of Activity Center (2009), or the eclectic The Past, Present & The Possible (2011), you cannot deny the striking harmony of old and new musical influences.

As one of the most successful “French Touch” pioneers, Tahiti 80 produced soulful pop music both on the record and in a polished live performance on European, Asian and American stages, which includes Strawberry Festival (2012) and Zebra Festival in China (2012).