I've said it many times that French Films are for me the best Finnish band. They're also great live. I was stoked to go see them play at the legendary Lutakko venue, but... I think it was the most disappointing show I've ever been to. Hate to say it, but it's only my opinion. Well, not really. My friend who saw them for the first time, thought so too. "It can't get lamer than this", he said.
The last time the guys performed here was at a packed indie club. I remember them apologizing for the short set, since they only had their debut out. Completely understandable.
Their recent gig felt shorter, which is weird because they had just released their sophomore a day earlier. Also, there was no one selling the freshly out of the oven album at the place itself. Maybe it's because they were in such a hurry to hit the bars. Dunno.
Simply, I was missing some of their songs, the sound was a bit off and the atmosphere would have been better at a smaller venue (can't blame them for that though).
Anyways, still love you guys, hope it was a one night thing, if not then you should get your act together.
As I was scrolling through songs that I liked, all I can say is that January was busy! I noticed that there were many songs that I already had forgotten, not in a bad way though- new ones just kept coming in! Anyways here are the tunes, which deserve attention.
By far one of the best Finnish bands French Films hit my hometown Jyväskylä, when they performed in indie bar Freetime last Friday. Many have said they are great live and it's hard to disagree. Providing raw energy and tunes for the audience to easily jump and dance to, there's no doubt old fans got what they came for and that new ones were born. Someone even did a roll and split jumps on the stage after the gig and got carried away by the bouncer.
The only thing that made me feel really uncomfortable was seeing the guys wear their leather jackets, while sweating worse than in a sauna. Talk about an efficient work out.
What is the first thing you think of when talking about French films? For me, it is the eternal question of why the French have to include so many erotic scenes in their movies, that it could be classified as soft porn. While I’m figuring out an answer to that, I could also think about ‘French Films’, as in the indie band from Finland.
Formed in 2010, French Films consist of five members coming from cities called Järvenpää and Espoo aka The Ass of Helsinki. When I listen to their music, for sure they’ve been influenced by post-punk acts such as Joy Division and The Cure. However, it is officially stated that dreaming, cold and dark winter and being alive are what is driving them musically forward.
It doesn’t come as a surprise that the climate is one reason for the depressing and melancholic music the Finns/Nordic people are known for. This comes clear in the song ‘Living Fortress’ with lyrics;
Oh winter. You're looking kind of mean now. You take away a lifetime. And never pay it back.
Although, the upbeat melodies and photos of the band posing by the water and sun shining on their faces; I can’t help dreaming of a summer spent on the road in a hot car with the cooling wind blowing from the windows, giving me and my friends exactly what we need. So, here’s another thought when discussing about French Films; SHOT GUN!
When the band’s first single ‘Golden Sea’ was released in 2010, it was well-received on blogs, which made singer-guitarist Johannes go ‘shit, we gotta top that…’. I guess great makes fantastic, as French Films’ debut album ‘Imaginary Future’, released the following year, is full of gems. My personal favorite is ‘The Great Wave Of Light’, which I could say to be the ‘happiest’ track of the album. I play the air guitar to it, and the lyrics are simply brilliant;
So I wanted to live in the clouds or the cartoons or the clouds in the cartoons.
But it goes like this every time we wake up in the afternoon.
It just puts a smile on my face, as does the whole album.
