OH LALA!

O hayo.

Last nite's show was amazing. I think we performed the very best version of Roundabout and maybe the craziest "Outroduction" ever with me singing a bit of Ram Jam's Black Betty....

I really enjoyed the concert, I think the audience in Osaka is very latin, in a Japanese way, and people interacted very well with us.

After that, we went to yakiniku, went to the rock bar. v-drank Tequilas and Cointreau...my head hurts, but hopefully the Ukon No Chikara will help me with promo today...I'm staying a bit in Osaka, then I will spend a few hours in Kyoto and then back to Tokyo.

Thanks to all!

I love the Mario and Luigi puppets!

Mata,

Xavier

ps: I took the profile photo this morning....I may look like shit.

Ohayo,

What do you do after a show in tokyo?

How about doing some promotion, and going to radio stations to perform a few songs....? That's what I did, I was a bit worried, cos I woke up on Monday morning (at 5 once again...) sounding a bit like Tom Waits, it took me a good warm up session and a few teas with honey to get to a decent tone.

The new trend for radio stations is to have their studios within or next to a coffee shop. You end up performing while people are drinking their cafe latte. They're usually here to take a quick break, so they don't give a shit about a gaijin with a mustache and an acoustic guitar!
I was pleased to see a couple of fans (and a mum!) who were at the show and came especially to attend the mini session I did in Roponggi.

I was alone...so what were the other Riverboyz doing? Recovering!

Last night, I came back to the hotel at around 1, the others stayed, originally for one last drink, they finished at dawn to the sounds of the Tokyo crows! Apparently, they got everybody drunk at the bar and improvised a DJ set with only one Ipod. I wish I could have been there somehow in the corner witnessing all the mayhem.
On the menu today, cheap breakfast at lotteria (How I ended there is another question!), lunch at a sushi place ((amazing!) where noone spoke English, I was in charge of communicating with the waitress ("Nama","Checko!" ), then dinner at Guilo Guilo (sophisticated cuisine Japonaise, they have open a restaurant in Paris, I will check it out).Then I took the shinkansen to Osaka....and ate some sandwiches at Lawson's (Japanese convenience store) ...when I'm jetlagged I can eat anytime.
Gotta go to bed and get ready for radio performances and, of course, the Quattro show.

Love!

X

Here I am, back in Japan, back in Tokyo, back in "my" hotel...back home in a way.
I've stopped counting, but I guess it looks like it's my 14th trip to Japan.
I have to say, I love it here: I really feel at home, especially in Shibuya, which is quite a paradox, because I can't hardly speak the language... OK! OK, I've learnt new punch lines, the latest being, "Opapi", but I still struggle to order food et al. (Though, it helps lot that Japanese people have improved their English drastically over the years)

Anyway...Last night, we played a show in Tokyo and it was great!
I was a bit concerned at first cos' we had never played such a long set before (24 songs more or less), but it went down very well.
We started with an acoustic version of On An Island, and then gradually built it up to end the concert with a boogie kraut-rock finale on Roundabout!

My first feeling was that people were really, to say the least, surprised to see me with a mustache. I heard "heavy whispering"-a sound only Japanese people can make- as I came on stage to pick up my guitar!
Actually, It was quite funny to see the reaction, Japanese people being polite, I dunno if they liked it or if they thought it was too much. I've got the feeling, that fans/people didn't know what to make of it, Is it a real one? Can I touch it?! etc.

In Japan, my hairy appendix has been compared to Burt Reynolds', and to f****n Mario's, The nintendo kart driver....Ouch!
Some say, I look more like Luigi than Mario, though! Can't wait to see what people will say in Osaka!

After the show, we had a great dinner: spicy chicken wings, a dish called emiyago? (deep fried dumplings with mayonnaise) and I've tried for the first time shiso leaves, and, erm, a liquor perfumed with shiso leaves! Oishi desu.

I have some promo to do in Tokyo today, hopefully we can visit some instruments shops later in the day, and then it will be time for me to catch the bullet train to go to Osaka.

Mata!

Xavier-chan

Salut,

FLECHE D'OR

Friday's show at La Flèche d'Or was amazing, with a short set and a great crowd.
Thank you friends wouldn't be here if iy wasn't for you!
For the great finale we joined Jon & Ken from The Posies for 2 songs: Ooh Child (by The 5 Stairsteps) and Song Of The Baker (by The Small Faces)...We had a blast, rocking like it was 1968 or 1994 again!

INTERVIEWS

Read an Interview in French for a great new magazine/webzine called STREET TEASE.

The rabbit on the pictures, Carotte, was, erm, dead and stuffed, and yet a very nice fellow, indeed.

And you can still listen to NEXT PODCAST:
Interview
Acoustic Session
More Music


REMIX ALBUM

The remix album will be out in Japan on Dec 19th.

It will feature various re-writing and remixes from : Eric Matthews , Lecube, Fortune, Flairs & Ramshackle, Kevin Coral And The Torrey Canyon All-Stars, Scalde, Montgomery, MaRadioStar, Ben Symphonic Orchestra, Tim Keegan,Calc, Chateau Marmont, Rainbow Dogs , Hippie Johnny and an unreleased track.

The sleeve is re-designed by Fugu.

You can listen to some of them on the Axe Riverboy's remix page

JAPANESE SHOWS

Axe & The Riverboyz will promote this remix album with a serie of shows in Japan in early January.

January 6 - Tokyo Duo
January 8 - Osaka Club Quattro

CARRY ON MUSIC VIDEO
directed by Simon Elephant.
featuring the Riverboyz, 3 moustaches, psychedelic FX and a cape.
Enjoy!

AXE RIVERBOY - CARRY ON

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Love,

Xavier

Hi, here's the new video for Carry On. directed by Simon Elephant.
featuring the Riverboyz, 3 moustaches, psychedelic FX and a cape.
Enjoy,

Xavier
AXE RIVERBOY - CARRY ON

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Hi there,

this is what I do for a living...

love etc.

x

Ps: This video was edited by Stephane Maunier

Check out this video: Axe Riverboy in Japan (2007)

..

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Helloooo,


TOUR UPDATE
The French shows were great, even though it wasn't that easy after I changed labels, following Tahiti 80 on a transfer from our original label Atmospheriques to Barclay/Universal. It changed the deal a little bit, as it happened only a few months after the release of Tutu To Tango in France. It feels like my album's already lost in the vaults...needless to say it's a bit frustrating.

Anyway, concerts and life on tour have been such a great fun...the audience who had never heard of us most of the time, reacted amazingly well...Great feedback. My favourite line was "I usually don't like Country music but I'm gonna buy you guys a record"...I don't know whether it was totally accurate or not, but I loved it.
Then, there's the inevitable moustache effect...The Riverboyz and I have all grown 100% vintage & natural, macho & hairy extension (Any style you want : Hulk Cogan, John Bonham, Rudi Voller and a Mexican dude...I'm afraid there's no Freddie Mercury look-alike).
I still have it, and to be frank (zappa!) with you, sometimes I double look at myself in the mirror, still surprised at what I see: is it really cool? Too late! Cos' these moustaches (and more!) will be shown ostensibly on the next music video for Carry On directed by Simon Elephant.

PLAYLIST
Here's a musical interview/playlist I did for this very cool new music blog:
requiem pour un twister

MORE SHOWS
On Nov 30th, there will a be show at La Fleche D'Or with the best Power Pop band ever, The Posies, expect some surprises and a big stage reunion.

REMIXES
Most of all, I will release a Remix Album of Tutu To Tango in Japan on Dec 19th. It will feature an unreleased track (Introduction: We Are The Boyers) and various re-writing and remixes from : Eric Matthews , Lecube, Fortune, Flairs & Ramshackle, Kevin Coral And The Torrey Canyon All-Stars, Scalde, Montgomery, MaRadioStar, Ben Symphonic Orchestra, Tim Keegan,Calc, Chateau Marmont, Rainbow Dogs , Hippie Johnny.
The sleeve is also re-designed by Fugu.

We'll promote this remix album with a series of shows in Japan in early January (Yeah!). More on this later.

Time for me to get back to the Tahitilab and work on Tahiti 80's 4th L.P!

I'll keep you posted about the rest (Videos, US shows etc...)

Love

X

Hellooo!

Hope everybody's doing great, sorry for not posting anything sooner: I took a break and then I produced (with Pedro) 2 cool bands at the Tahitilab (The Elektrocution & Kiss Kiss Bang Bang). So "here I am, back in love again"*, and here's the breaking news:

-TUTU TO TANGO IS OUT IN THE US!

After Japan, France & Indonesia Axe Riverboy's first L.P is released on Minty Fresh and is available in record stores and on digital platforms in the States.

Other releases will be announced soon





-TOUR DE FRANCE Vol.2

I'll be on tour with the Riverboyz in France throughout September & October (with a brief stop In Belgium ) Don't be shy!

21/09 Arvest Festival / Paris, 27/09 Le Ramier (w/Architecture In Helsinki)/ Toulouse, 11/10 La Condition Publique / Roubaix, 12/10 Le 106 / Rouen, 13/10 Run Ar Puns / Chateaulun, 16/10 Le Granit / Belfort, 17/10 Le Botanique / Bruxelles, 19/10 L'Abordage / Evreux, 24/10 CCO / Lyon, 26/10 Le Poste à Galène / Marseille, 27/10 Festival des Rockomotives / Vendôme, 02/11 Les Docks/ Le Havre...

More info soon.

-AXE RIVERBOY & FRIENDS' ALTERNATE VERSIONS ALBUM

I have asked some fellow musicians to make their own versions of my album, I've received amazing remixes (more like covers really) from
in no perticular order:
Eric Matthews, Ben's Symphonic Orchestra, Tim Keegan, Montgomery, The Witch Hazel Sound, Calc, Scalde, Lecube, Chateau Marmont, Fugu, Flairs Und Ramshackle, MaRadioStar, Shogun Sylvano, Ahmede...

I'll upload some of these remixes on my page and, erm, the remix album is, so far, only planned to be released in Japan this Fall. You're right to protest.

Love et al,

Xavier


Oldies but Moodies list:
The Move - Beautiful Daughter (Amazing String Arrangement)
Queen Of The Stone Age- Into The Hollow (could be a cover from an Eric Matthews song)
Winter Consort -Minuit (George Martin's best work after The Beatles, that's what He said!)
Nick Drake - Magic (An unusual light track from Mr Heavy)
Richard Swift -Ballad Of You Know Who (album of the year so far)

*as in The Buckinghams' song

Hello my dear Friends,

-AXE RIVERBOY'S ALBUM IS OUT!

After Japan, TUTU TO TANGO is now available in record stores and on digital platforms in France.

Other releases will be announced soon





-READ an interview in French

musique.aol.fr/axe-riverboy-axe-riverboy-la-voix-de-tahiti-80-en-solo-/musique-news-ma74929/p-p_p/article_id/article.html

-WATCH an interview/concert/acoustic session in French

To those who have a bit of time (it's a rather long interview) and who speak French (no subtitles), here are an itw, some live extracts and an acoustic version of "Roundabout" that I did for a webzine called discordance discordance.fr/videocast.php3
some remarks
-I can be very talkative (too much?)
-I wasn't wearing a red wig during the concert (it's the lights, plus the shampoo)
-I wasn't stoned or drunk, only a bit tired.
Have Fun!

-LISTEN to 2 live songs

Axe Riverboy backed up by Julien Lecube and Lionel Flairs performed Roundabout and covered Donovan's Mellow Yellow on France Inter's radio show "Le Fou du Roi" (18/06/07). listen to it:

radiofrance.fr/franceinter/em/fouduroi/index.php?id=56879

-NEW SITE

axeriverboy.com

Best

Axe Riverboy

Bonjour les amis,

LIVE ON THE RADIO
Axe Riverboy will perform on Radio France Inter's show "Le Fou du Roi" on Monday 18th at noon. Axe joined by the Riverboys (with Julien Lecube on the Drums and for the first time Lionel Flairs on Bass) will play the single Roundabout and Mellow Yellow from Donovan.

more info:
http://www.radiofrance.fr/franceinter/em/fouduroi/

Axe will also be the guest of Radio Nova's "L'elephant effervescent" with an acoustic session
more info:
http://www.novaplanet.com

TUTU TO TANGO OUT IN FRANCE!!!

Next Monday (18/06/2007) you will be able to purchase the Axe Riverboy album in France's record stores!
The album is also available for download with a bonus track on the usual digital platforms.

A+

aXe