What started as an early morning sonic journaling practice using a Telecaster and tape recorder, Thomas Meluch, aka Benoît Pioulard, began his Stanza series in 2015. The series evolved from hazy, unadorned experiments to more verdant and complex instrumental pieces, characterised by a blissed-out tape saturation and ambient grace that has become a hallmark of Pioulard’s uniquely meditative sound, something that’s also visually reflected in his analogue photography using a Polaroid SX-70. His latest album in the series, Stanza IV (out on July 11th), marks the series’ vinyl debut on his own label, Disques d’Honoré.
Pioulard shares that following his father’s death and a ‘collision of personal struggles’, he refocused his musical efforts as a means of meditation, resulting in the long-form movements of Stanza IV. These movements were created using electric & acoustic guitars, bass guitar, voice, bells, kalimba, melodica, Moog synthesiser, chimes, cassette tape, microcassette tape, and field recordings.
The first track, Xaipe, is accompanied by a striking video that captures the essence of Pioulard’s music as well as his dreamy imagery.
The release is accompanied by an album-length collection of reworks featuring Markus Guentner, arovane, Clarice Jensen, James Devane, MJ Guider, and Viul.
Full details and Pre-Order: https://pioulard.bandcamp.com/album/stanza-iv
