When forming Soysoy, in a manner similar to off-beat artists such as Lisa Germano, Mary Timony or Stina Nordenstam, SEESAYLE (vocals, guitar and violin, ex-White Lie, Psykotrops, Rise & Fall, Malone...) and FRANCK "WIZ" MARCHAND (bass, vocals, ex-Peekaboo, So -which would become Venus-, Collector, What The Hell...) wanted to leave behind the tired clichés of the pop and rock scene.
Their own brand of romantic pop, originally strongly influenced by Blonde Redhead, Lush, Stina Nordenstam and Kate Bush, was filled with sorcery tones stemming from traditional celtic, nordic and balkanic music. Because of some incantatory and spine-chilling aspects in their music, in addition to Cécile and Franck's unusual vocal combination, Soysoy was soon to be compared to Dead Can Dance.
After a few special live performances and the recording of the self-produced mini-album 'Six Teaspoons of Eiran Cari', Soysoy, tired of the endless search for the perfect drummer, gives up playing live at the end of 2002.
2003-2006
One year later, during the Winter of 2003, Soysoy rises from its ashes when Sébastien Lhoest (keyboards and programming) joins the duo. An electronic twist is added to Soysoy's music, while Cécile's taking up of the violin reinforces their link with traditional music, as well as with folk/worldbeat artists such as Värttinä, Gjallarhorn, Hedningarna...
In June 2004, the trio releases a live album, 'Six Pinches of Stage Flavour', put together from tracks recorded during their performance at Le Botanique when supporting the mythical french band Collection d'Arnell-Andréa (another of Soysoy's influences).
Since then, although there have been talks with a few record labels, nothing has yet come of it since the band has not received sufficient guarantees regarding their beloved artistic freedom. Talks are still under way....
Meanwhile, Li Mohe Music, an independant belgian record label, locally released Soysoy's self-produced full-featured album "Liquid" in june 2006.
2007
Kevin, a young but quite talented drummer, joins the band in august. Soysoy is now a quatuor.
STYLE & INFLUENCES
Soysoy's singular musical blending, and the members' desire to keep exploring new territories, makes that the band's music defies traditional categorization. However, one might find similarities with artists from the adult alternative pop-rock, gothic, dream-pop and worldbeat genres.
Among perceptible influences, one can pinpoint Bel Canto, Värttinä, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Kate Bush, the Creatures (Siouxsie and Budgie), Stina Nordenstam, Collection d'Arnell-Andréa, Depeche Mode, Blonde Redhead, Minimal Compact.. but also traditional celtic and balkanic music, and music from Asia Minor. Soysoy's distinctive musical brand has been named 'magick-pop'.
DISCOGRAPHY
2002: 'Six Teaspoons of Eiran Cari', self-produced mini-album (sold out)
2004: 'Six Pinches of Stage Flavour', self-produced live album (available)
2006: 'Liquid', 11-tracks studio album, self-produced, released on independant label Li Mohe (available)
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