Biography
The French coastal town of Caen gave rise to Concrete Knives, whose lineup featured Nicolas Delahaye, Morgane Colas, Adrien Leprêtre, Augustin Hauville, and Guillaume Aubertin. Edgy art rock fused with pop hooks and sumptuous dance melodies in their work, drawing inspiration from New York acts Yeah Yeah Yeahs and TV on the Radio while inviting comparisons to compatriots Phoenix and François & the Atlas Mountains. The male members first experimented with music together during late-2000s high school years, though the band’s distinctive palette only coalesced once Colas joined several years afterward. Their initial outing arrived via the 2011 EP You Can’t Blame the Youth on Family Tree Records. Critics lavished praise on the group’s vibrant concerts, quickly building a devoted following. English indie imprint Bella Union took notice of the mysterious live persona and offered a deal for the debut album, while BBC Radio 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq selected the band among his “New Favorite Bands” of 2012. Be Your Own King appeared first in France that same year before reaching wider European audiences shortly thereafter.
Albums
Singles
