* En anglais uniquement
Similar in intent to orchestral popsters such as
the Divine Comedy,
My Life Story and
Eric Matthews,
Simon Warner sketches influences from
Bowie and Marc Bolan all the way back to
Jacques Brel. Raised by classical-minded parents,
Warner rebelled by turning to punk rock; after seeing one of Brel's films, however, he began to once more appreciate mature musical artists. Though he began writing songs in the mid-'80s, he was unemployed for much of the decade. By 1996, his recordings caused Rough Trade Records to sign him, and he scored strings for
Jewel and
the Sneaker Pimps. His debut album, Waiting Rooms, was released in May 1997. ~ John Bush