French band Sugar Sugar may still be young, but its two co-pilots – Julien Loutelier (drums + triggers) and Axel Rigaud (modular synthesizer) – are far from beginners. A drummer and percussionist who has been a member of Cabaret contemporain for some 10 years, Julien Loutelier deploys his rhythmic inventiveness in a variety of jazz and electronic side-projects (e.g. with Arnaud Rebotini and I:Cube), and is a keen live performer. In the course of his collaborations, he also crosses paths with dance, performance, the visual arts, cinema, and video. Axel Rigaud trained as a saxophonist then turned to electronic machines and has developed a passion for the modular synth, an iconic instrument of the modern era that he manipulates with sensitive finesse in a wide variety of contexts – from his personal projects to dance and theater performances, and even yoga classes.
With their perfect complementarity, which is just as apparent when interviewed, the two acolytes have an equal influence on the compositional dynamics, and each track is developed through successive back-and-forths. “As a duo, we can understand each other and interact more easily,” emphasizes Julien Loutelier. “Because of the highly malleable set-up, offering maximum space for improvisation, the music evolves all the time.”
Check out their track Bax recorded live below, and grab their latest EP here.
Erica Multimode VCF
This module is essential to our live sound. One of its main qualities is its ergonomics, with knobs large enough to be very precise. One trick Axel has been using lately is to use the HPF output in parallel with the LPF. It is routed to another effect chain, including a very long reverb. Its channel is muted most of the time, and activated on the Praga mixer at key moments to obtain transition FX that echo the main synth line.
Make Noise Math
A module found in many racks, used here both as an envelope generator and CV signal mixer.It receives an LFO from a CV tool device, the KORG SQ1 sequencer and one of the math envelopes. The sum of these 3 signals is used to modulate the multimode filter’s cutoff input.
Ableton Live + CV Tools + Clyphx
We recently added a computer to our setup, after 3 years of playing exclusively on hardware. Ableton CV Tools give us very precise control over the various parameters of the modular. Clyphx lets us add useful functions to Ableton via a scripting language.
Roland TM-6PRO & triggers
The drummer Julien uses a TM-6PRO trigger module in conjunction with Roland’s RT series triggers, attached to the various drum elements. The TM-6PRO serves both as a sampler and, above all, as an interface for sending midi notes to the modular synthesizer and the lighting and video scenography.
Its multiple midi conversion settings enable the setup to be adapted to the different drum models encountered at festivals and concert halls.
Drum kit
When the backliner allows, we request a Ludwig Superclassic drum kit from the 1960s in 22/13/16 configuration. Its vintage, matte sound adds depth and warmth akin to old drum machines. Julien brings his Ludwig 70s Supersensitive snare drum along with him.
Inspired by the electronic sounds of drum machines, Julien’s use of drums is quite specific, with the addition of metals and objects not originally intended for making music: cinema reels, metal plates, kitchen bowls, knitting needles.
The drum setup is conceived as a set of percussion instruments, like different modules or slices of a drum machine, rather than as a fixed instrument.
The cymbals used by Julien are almost exclusively “effects” cymbals, with specific functions: adding reverb, percussion, clap… Two hi-hats enable different pitch combinations.
Light and video show
Our live shows are enhanced by a scenography that reacts to the drums (sensors) and sometimes midi information from the computer. Using a controller designed with the Touch Designer program, we project video material on two round screens
Follow them here.
