Vitalic

All Music Guide:

Vitalic is the alter ego of Pascal Arbez, a French programmer/multi-instrumentalist who blends electro, techno, and house -- as well as elements of classical, rock, Italo-disco, and '70s electronic music -- into a sound that recalls the work of fellow countrymen Daft Punk and Air, but has its own hard-edged playfulness. Arbez played trombone as a child and young adult, but became fascinated with dance music when he heard Daft Punk in the mid-'90s. Inspired by them as well as Giorgio Moroder, Arbez switched to analog synths and began writing and recording as Dima. He released his first 12" in 1996 on Citizen Records, a label started by Arbez and like-minded friends. Arbez used the Dima moniker (as well as the alias Hustler Pornstar) until 2000, when he switched to the name Vitalic.

After sending a demo to International Deejay Gigolo, the label released Vitalic's Poney EP in 2001. The EP's expansive yet hard-hitting sound made its three tracks staples in sets by DJs as varied as Aphex Twin, Princess Superstar, and 2 Many DJ's. However, despite some collaborations and remixes, Arbez took a while to release any new Vitalic material. The Fanfares EP arrived late in 2004, signaling a heavier, less atmospheric bent to Arbez's work than the Poney EP; spring 2005 saw the release of the single My Friend Dario, by far the poppiest Vitalic track yet.

Most of Vitalic's key singles and tracks were collected on the long-awaited debut album OK Cowboy (the title of which alluded to Vitalic's maverick stance and Arbez's preference to live in the French countryside), which arrived in Europe later that spring and was released in the U.S. that summer. Early in 2007, the mix album The Sound of Citizen -- which included tracks by Arbez's inspirations as well as artists on the Citizen roster -- was released. Late that year, V Live arrived. Disco was a strong influence on 2009's Disco Terminateur EP and the single "Your Disco Song," both of which arrived before his second full-length, Flashmob, appeared that fall. For 2012's Rave Age, Arbez collaborated with members of Shitdisco, Sexy Sushi, and Stephane "Alf" Briat, whose mixing contributed to the album's more streamlined direction.

Wikipedia:

Pascal Arbez better known by his stage name Vitalic (born in 1976) is an electronic music artist. He was born in France.

History [edit]

His first singles were released in 1996 and 1997, but were confined to the underground electronic music scene. However, he became good friends with Michel Amato, also known as The Hacker, whom he met in the Rex, the "techno temple" of Laurent Garnier. The Hacker suggested he send his new tracks to DJ Hell, head of Gigolo records in Munich. Pascal did so, and International DeeJay Gigolo Records released the well known Poney EP in 2001, which was a huge success shortly after its release. With the track "La Rock 01", Vitalic created a club anthem which was a hit in the summer of 2001. The track was also included on many compilation albums, even rock compilations. Miss Kittin included "La Rock 01" on her DJ mix album On the Road.

In 2005, Vitalic's released his debut album, OK Cowboy on Different/PIAS Recordings. Pascal states that all of the instruments used in the album are synthesized. His official website states that "the only thing he can't fake is the emotion that galvanizes his music."

His song "Trahison" from OK Cowboy was used in the trailer for the 2007 French film Naissance des Pieuvres. His song "Poney Part 1" was featured in the Pleix film Birds. It was announced by Festival Republic that Vitalic would be playing both the Reading and Leeds Festivals in the UK in August 2009.

Vitalic's second studio album Flashmob was released on the 28th of September 2009. The first single, "Your Disco Song" is available for streaming at Vitalic's MySpace page. He has spoken a great deal about the new disco influence on Flashmob. The song "Poison Lips" from Flashmob was used in the 2012 film Dredd.

Vitalic's third studio album, Rave Age, was released on November 5th, 2012.