Manu Louis

Manu Louis is a prolific composer and performer of experimental chanson, influenced equally by pop, jazz, electronic and 20th Century classical music. In 2016 alone, he brought his energetic and unpredictable one-man show to over 100 venues and festivals, spanning 22 countries throughout Europe and Asia (including Contra Pop Fest., La Casa Encendida, Berghain Kantine, Worm, Jazz à Liège, Tremor Festival, Mismas Party and Fusion Festival). Following his work for the 30-piece Orchestra Vivo and for string ensemble O.C.L., Manu is now releasing a hyper-eclectic album about the fairground: Kermesse Machine (+) (Igloo rec.).

Building on the momentum of his debut 7” single for Berlin label New Pangea, Manu’s first full-length solo album delivers a warped mix of post-modern pop, where luxurious horns elegantly collide with cheap synths to cradle his lyrical observations, sung in French and English.
Recorded in Berlin, Brussels and Rome, Kermesse Machine combines the exotic glamour of the Anglo pop of Manu’s childhood with the tacky sounds of Belgian popular music that he always did his best to ignore (brass band, Eurodance, industrial trance, wedding performers).
In the artist’s own words, the record is “a mountain of plastic glasses in the streets the morning after, a tropical digital marching band, a guy giving all he’s got at Karaoke because there’s nowhere left to sing, a gypsy virtuoso playing synth with a trumpet sound.”

“Un concept album dont les titres s’enchaînent comme pour raconter une histoire d’amour populaire lors d’une joyeuse et bruyante fête de village.” LIBERATION

“It’s a rowdy, joyous affair full of eminently danceable tunes.” THE UNDERGROUND OF HAPPINESS

“plus coloré qu’une licorne vomissant un arc-en-ciel” GONZAI

« Manu Louis is back to give the world a well needed carnavalesque twist » LOCAL SUICIDE

“Some albums just have to be heard to be believed, and Manu Louis‘ Kermesse Machine is one of those records” MUSICOMH