Tallisker (with one more “L” than the whisky) is the DIY project of French artist Eléonore Melisande, a venture distills influences as diverse as Baroque and Romantic-era masterpieces, Scandinavian folk, and modern techno.
A classically-trained cellist, Melisande draws her inspiration for her new project from the classical beauty of her home town of Rouen and the refreshing dynamism of her new-found “Neverland” – Glasgow.
On Salanfe, the debut track from her upcoming Heliotrope EP, we hear the ostentatious string movements of old, unceremoniously put to work alongside Bjork-esque vocals and the familiar modern growls and beats of EDM.
In her own words:
“My view as an artist is to reassert the fact that there’s no such thing as punk music opposed to noble/classical music. Punk aesthetics are noble and noble music has become punk. That’s what I want to express when I mix cellos with heavy techno-friendly kicks or when an epic brass ensemble embraces a rough trap beat. You can enjoy both a Victorian garden-party and an underground hardcore music party. I’m interested in all the forms; I boil them, I distill them and I make my own stuff. And I’m happy if it’s hard to classify.”
Tallisker’s Heliotrope EP is due for release next month.