“’Just Can’t Sleep’ is about a love affair with the late 70’s and early 80’s in New York City. A time when the city was in despair and at its lowest in places and extremely high in plenty of others. Studio 54, one of those infamous places where many worlds collided under one roof, all with an air of decadence, disco and glamor, “There’s also that paranoid element to it though. If you want the party never to stop, you’re inevitably going to get dark.” Says Alex Aikiu, the man behind the band, as well as the charismatic frontman of this three-piece Parisian art-pop collective, consisting also of Julien Vichnievsky and Cedric Pilooski (D*I*R*T*Y).
The three met years before but formed the band in Paris, 2009, having spent hours sharing, making and talking about music. Steadily, they went on to revive a sound (so dear to them) in their city, as well as create a shiney new breed of art-pop for us all to indulge in. The Aikiu are set to release their debut single Just Can’t Sleep’ in the US via Abracada today, with a debut full length and tour dates in the US to follow this Fall and Winter ’10.
Not a stone-throw away from an era Aikiu feels so affectionatley affiliated with — The late 70’s, early 80’s night life of New York City — which has been the very foundation upon whence this band has flourished from. When to celebrate sound and vision, much in the vain that Grace Jones, Roxy Music, David Bowie, Eno, early (“Jellybean”) Madonna and Giorgio Moroder did, is to embrace that flamboyancy, hedonism and celebration of art, sex and self in music. Free of restraints, something disco and the nightlife gave to New York City (plus various other hedonistic hubs in the world, of course), London and Paris in the 70’s and 80’s when/where Alex, Julien and Cedric grew up. Alex, the founding member and frontman (always dressed impeccably), has been likened by some to Robert Palmer in style, but with a victoriously soulful and gender-bending, early 80’s diva-esque voice – providing the substance – alongside the bands’ raunchy and robust studio production and live set likened to Soulwax and LCD Soundsystem (soon to be unleashed stateside in the Fall).
Multi-award winning disco innovator, Nile Rodgers (Carly Simon, Diana Ross, Sister Sledge, David Bowie, Duran Duran, Madonna) called it when he met Alex in New York City, and proceeded to tell him how much he reminded him of Madonna at times (yes, Madonna!)… only with balls (imagine that)… and Simon le Bon. Then there’s Alex’s creative involvement, working the past 3 years with the legendary photographer/illustrator Jean-Paul Goude, the man behind the image on the cover of Grace Jones’ iconic Slave To The Rhythm’ and more, only adding an extra layer of sincerity to this bands existence, songs and vision.
The sky certainly seems limitless for this newborn Parisian pop collective. But first, The Aikiu would like to formally introduce themselves to US audiences with ‘Just Can’t Sleep’* *OUT NOW*
*Later this month The Aikiu plan to unveil their new video for Just Can’t Sleep’.
Please do not expect anything considered normal in the slightest.
THE AIKIU JUST CAN T SLEEP
Release date: XX XX XX on Abracada Records
Original version 4 :18
Dub version 5 :23
Azari & III Remix 6 :52
Egyptrixx Remix 5 :46
Mighty Mouse Remix 6 :45
Clement Meyer Remix 7 :41