Martin Dupont | Artist
Martin Dupont is a French electro, new wave and cold wave band formed 1980 in Marseille by Alain Seghir (vocals, bass, synthesizer, guitar), Brigitte Balian (vocals, synthesizer, guitar, bass) and Catherine Loy (vocals). The line-up changed with additions, including the classically trained Beverly Jane Crew (clarinet, saxophone, synthesizer), although Seghir remained the main songwriter. Their unique sound was enthusiastic and delicate, but also melancholy and mysterious. Incorporating guitars, saxophones, samples, and clarinets with their intriguingly wide gamut of art-jazz influences, they shared the stage with the likes of mainstream acts The Lotus Eaters, The Lounge Lizards, and Siouxsie and the Banshees, but had more in common spiritually with avant-garde oddballs like Tuxedomoon, They Might Be Giants, and Klaus Nomi. Martin Dupont disbanded by 1987, but left behind three cult albums, as its members started their own projects. Brigitte Balian collaborated with the composer Patrick Portella, Beverley Jane Crew became producer of the Contemporary Music Network in London, and Alain Seghir composed for the choreographer Josette Baïz and the stylists Geneviève Delrieux and Patrick Murru, until he changed paths completely and became a surgeon. With Dan Armandy, Seghir also created the Supermax card for the Yamaha DX7, which was considered “the invention of the year" by renowned synth composer Jean-Michel Jarre. Their three early albums Just Because.. (1984), Sleep Is A Luxury (1985) and Hot Paradox (1987) are recommended, as is the 2008 compilation album Lost and Late. Their songs have been sampled by major artists Kanye West, Tricky and Madlib, and the song "Inside Out" from Hot Paradox was featured in the film Cuckoo (2024). While recording and playing as Martin Dupont, Alain Seghir was also studying to become an ENT surgeon. Once he had completed medical school he became busy with his work, and "on a whim" sold all of his synthesizers; in the absence of an official break up, Martin Dupont became dormant. In 2009, Seghir was contacted by Veronica Vascika, the founder of the New York City-based music label Minimal Wave, who expressed interest in rereleasing Martin Dupont's discography. This, coupled with renewed interest in their music, led the band to reform and begin playing concerts again. The album Kintsugi, a compilation of new recordings of some of the band's old songs, was released in 2023. The band name is based on the generic male name "Martin Dupont", which is the French equivalent of "John Doe".
Artist Website: wikipedia/Martin_Dupont
Featured Albums: Martin Dupont
Related Artists: Unzen, Kafkha
