You know that times are changing when America elects its first President of color, Guns & Roses release their first album in 15 years, and AC/DC pull it back together after 8. Here in Paris, France (of all places…) the inevitable has also occurred with a group of fine musicians finding themselves together to make music that matters, and who are poised to impact the landscape of what has now become, Rock & Roll.
With the British retro-scene in full swing, with the likes of Amy Winehouse and Duffy hitting the charts, comes the wet-dream answer to the neo-Rock Scene. Call it Classic Rock, Retro-Rock, Melodic Riff Rock, or simply Muscle Rock, the Paris-Based quartet of Carousel Vertigo combine the gritty blues of a golden era, coupled with gut thumping rhythms, rootsy-road-hewn vocals, and firmly plants itself into this modern era.
The line-up is stellar and features: Vincent Martinez on guitar and vocals. Vincent, who has performed with a somewhat famous Star Academy finalist in the past, actually grew up honing his guitar style to the likes of: Johnny Winter, Peter Green, Freddie King, among others. When he opens his throat to sing – Paul Rogers or say a sober Chris Robinson comes equally to mind. Dreadlocked Bassist Thomas D'Arbigny, is a sub-sonic force who is as comfortable ramping out licks à la Boz Burell or that of say Charles Mingus - brings an amazing character to this new group. Drummer Jules Audiger is a classic. Period. A drummer with tasty grooves that will take you back in time, yet feel so refreshingly urgent and in the now. Guitarist Jansen Press who has spent many years entrenched in the Nashville and New York Rock scenes, rounds out the band with his trademark riffs and sonic savoir-faire.
The Carousel Vertigo sound could be described as sweaty... sexy… all grooving with fervor and passion. Listeners will no doubt be influenced by what this young band has going on as there is nothing that the French can call their own, that really sounds like this…
Its music with soul that is so desperately missing from the mainstream today, just ready to be embraced. The Rocker and I caught up with Carousel Vertigo guitarist, Janzen Press. He gave us the lowdown on his band and their music. Here is what he shared with us...
AAM: First off, Thank you so much Jansen for talking with us. Can you tell us how long have you been together as a band?
Jansen Press: You guys are more than welcome. As far us being together as a band, about a year. Vince and I got together playing at a Musical Instrument Expo in Paris. We both had 2 separate roles in working for a particular guitar company, when all of a sudden we were asked to perform and jam together. So we said, sure why not. After hearing Vince play guitar and sing I knew exactly where he was coming from, and felt as though we could complement each other as guitarists. Later that same day we found our drummer Julian Audigier and the following week our bassist Thomas D'Arbigny.
AAM: What is the music scene like in Paris? Club scene and on the radio.
JP: The underground rock scene in Paris is out there, but it's a bit of a headliners market. The action for us is mostly coming from across the channel in the UK. We're starting to get a bit of a buzz there and plan to translate the momentum back to France. As far as radio in town, there's a station called Oui-FM that plays pretty good rock stuff and supports new talent.
AAM: Who are your musical influences?
JP: Free, Deep Purple, Humble Pie, Black Crowes, Cry of Love, Cheap Trick, Aerosmith (1973-78)... FM-era music from the early 70's... Anything with a riveting guitar hook coupled with melody, and a solid groove.
AAM: What was the biggest crowd you played in front of?
JP: In July we opened for Status Quo at Powderham Castle, Exeter UK in front of 4,000 people, it was only our second gig. Status Quo fans are the BEST, and they obviously appreciate melodic guitar-driven Rock & Roll.
AAM: If you had a choice to tour with any band in America, which band would it be and why?
JP: Probably, touring with Aerosmith in 1975, KISS in 1977, Cheap Trick in 1979, or Motley Crue in 1989 - 'cuz we crush live today as much as those guys did.
AAM: As a band, what goals have you set for yourselves?
JP: To get on the Adam Carolla podcast.
AAM: When you are not playing what other things do you guys like doing?
JP: Being an export from Nashville to Paris, I find these places so artistically rich in such extremely opposite ways. So, I spend a lot of time in Paris just soaking it all in. The food & wine... history. I have my studio here as well and do Music Production work.
AAM: Are you guys working on a full length release at the moment?
JP: Vince and I are currently writing and working up some tracks, so it's coming. We have a great chemistry - He'll come up with a riff and I'll try to embellish on it, and likewise. We kick around ideas in my studio -. We work up the songs, track the demos, then take it to Thomas and Jules commencing the crush in the studio.
AAM: What separates Carousel Vertigo from other rock bands out right now?
JP: Well, Vince is one of the most natural talents that I have ever played with. First he sings and plays guitar like the ghost of Steve Marriott or somethin'. Drummer, Julian Audiger comes off as a modern-day Bunny Carlos, and Thomas D'Arbigny (who has spent some time in the Jacksonville, FL scene) brings a wealth of high-end "low-end" to the bass side. With myself as the American addition to the other three French guys, as a band we've been able to create a truly unique cultural mix rarely seen in the Rock world. They come at it with a British Blues-Rock edge and I tie it up with my early 70's American Rock sensibilities.
AAM: Any messages for your fans?
JP: We hope that what we do resonates with listeners and we are all having a great time making this music. Meeting our fans personally at shows is just as important as the music itself, so we are looking forward to coming to the States to thank you personally.
Carousel Vertigo is currently in the studio working on their as yet to be titled debut release and the early buzz has already made its way across the Atlantic, with meetings already taken with Producer extraordinaire Ken Coomer (Wilco, Will Hoge) as well as with former Black Crowes guitarist Audley Freed. Street date for this anticipated album is for Spring of 2009. The Rocker and I along with All Access Magazine would like to thank Jansen Press for sharing his time and music with us. Oh yeah before we forget Jansen dropped us a line before this interview went to print it read..."Hi guys, just wanted to give you the scoop first, we will be supporting Status Quo on Oct 17th in our hometown of Paris, France opening for them at the infamous Casino de Paris Theater (cap. 3500). SOLD OUT. "We are definitely looking forward to hearing more from CAROUSEL VERTIGO!
FOR MORE INFO ON CAROUSEL VERTIGO: www.myspace.com/carouselvertigo
