8 1/2 Souvenirs
“Before disbanding in the new century, 8½ Souvenirs became a local cornerstone of a swing and lounge revival for their Nineties triptych Happy Feet, Souvonica, and Twisted Desire. With production assistance of Texas guru Charlie Sexton, At the Movies marks their first release in over 20 years as it retains the French cinematic spirit of smoke plumes shrouding European cafes and speakeasies. Reunited with original singer Kathy (Kiser) Benayoun, guitarist Oliver Giraud and company unravel a multilingual coalescence from dramatic accordion flourishes in "Off White," sultry hip sway in "Cafune," or circus show gypsy jazz in "Where Do They Go."
–Alejandra Ramirez, The Austin Chronicle
“...multi-lingual act commingled elements of French and Italian pop, a la Serge Gainsbourg and Paolo Conte, as well as gypsy jazz and traditional swing. Their local smash “Happy Feet,” first released via Continental Records in 1995 before being reissued by RCA Victor in 1998, precipitated a national swing revival. Disbanded by the millennium, 8 1/2 Souvenirs were reformed in 2014.
-Kevin Curtin, The Austin Chronicle
“You cannot place a genre on the self-released At The Movies by 8 1/2 Souvenirs. It’s sung in French, Italian, Spanish, English and Portuguese. It fuses elements of Old-World Euro Café Society, Hot Club, Circus Swing and Alt-Pop. You’ll hear kazoo, all sorts of tricky percussive toys, guitars, synthesizers, oud, Bouzouki, mandocello, whistles, piano, accordion, Hammond B-3 organ, contrabass and drums. It was produced by longtime Dylan sideman Charlie Sexton. There is no describing it. Put it this way: If gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt had lived past his mere 43 years and moved to Austin with Nino Rota (who did all those film scores for Fellini art films of the ‘60s), their imaginary band together might sound something like this.”
-Mike Greenblatt, Goldmine
8 ½ Souvenirs, after 20+ years, is releasing their album At The Movies, produced by Charlie Sexton, nationally on Friday, September 30, 2022. The music is a multilingual musical confluence of European cafe society, hot club, circus swing, and jazz with English, French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese songs. The songs are heavily influenced by jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt ("Souvenirs") and Nino Rota, composer of Federico Fellini's film 8 ½. At The Movies is their "IF we only get to make one more record, what do we want people to hear" album (we certainly hope there will be more). It is a collection of songs the band has been playing weekly at their C-Boy's Heart & Soul residency since they reunited in 2014, and the album is as eclectic as the band.
At The Movies was recorded at Churchhouse Studios in Austin, TX, with David Boyle engineering. The album credits include Kathy Benayoun (executive producer, vocals, kazoo, claves, percussion), Olivier Giraud (guitar, vocals, writer-composer, synth, whistling), Dan Walton (piano, accordion, B3 organ), Todd Wulfmeyer (contrabass, writer-composer), and Robb Kidd (drums, percussion). Charlie also adds his Oud, Bouzouki, Mandocello, Guitars, and vocals on various tracks. Kathy said, "I love every song on the album, and even though it's a cover, our French version of "The Way" by Fastball, "Le Way" is extra special to me. Tony Scalzo said, “I have known them since I moved to town in the 90s and have always admired their musicianship and aesthetic. I ran into my old friend, Kathy Benayoun, their original and current lead-vocalist, and she said they would soon be recording a new album with Charlie Sexton producing. I immediately asked her if she’d be interested in working up a French-language version of our song, The Way, and she agreed it could work well. Guitarist and musical director Olivier Giraud worked out the lyrics to not only fit the original vibe of the song but tell the story in a new and refreshing way. I got together with the band, and we talked about how this version would appeal to French ears and bring it to an audience who may not be familiar with the song. I had initially agreed to join them in the studio, but Covid made that impossible. I watched and waited from afar as the band went to work with Charlie, and soon, I had a mix to listen to. I think this is the best cover of the song I’ve yet to hear.”
The band also released the single "Bei Mir," and they plan on releasing "Zazie," inspired by the French film "Zazie dans le Métro" and "Spider Lady," shaped like a pre-war French detective novel, is their version of a French fairy tale. These songs can be listened to on their upcoming release, At The Movies.
8 ½ Souvenirs was formed in 1993 by French-born guitarist and singer Olivier Giraud. "I had no idea what Austin was when I first came here. I was visiting some expatriate French friends and looking for parts for my '54 Olds Rocket 88, which had been half-destroyed by an 18-wheeler. I was blown away by Austin, and I decided to stay." His obsession with old French films and Italian neo-realism combined with his love of Django still directs the vibe of the music. Kathy became the band's first female singer when she and Glover Gill joined the group in 1994. They skyrocketed to local success and recorded Happy Feet with Kathy live at The Continental Club on the venue's label. She then married and moved to The Florida Keys, where she began her family. The band members changed over several years, with Juliana Sheffield and then Chrysta Bell singing. They eventually broke up in 2001. "Thanks to the musical gods, in 2014, we wrangled the original band back together and have been performing ever since." At The Movies is Kathy's first studio album. 8 ½ Souvenirs have also released Souvonica (Continental Records) and Twisted Desire (RCA).
Depending on the COVID-19 risk level, 8 ½ Souvenirs hold their Tuesday residency at C-Boy's Heart & Soul in Austin, TX, from 6:30-8:30. "I love the connection. Period. When we put our setlists together, we think of the dancers most of all. The energy they give back to us is unparalleled. When they are happy, so are we. We have a small but incredibly loyal group of fans that come out to our C-Boy's residency. We miss them like family when they can't make it out. We have been around long enough now that our "Happy Feet" fans now bring their grown children to our shows, and they sing along with us. It's magical!!"
Bios:
Olivier Giraud (guitar, vocals, writer-composer, synth, whistling)
After making a trip to the US and visiting some French expatriate Austinite friends in 1988, native Parisian guitarist Olivier Giraud decided to move to Austin. He formed his first Austin band, the rockabilly-fueled 47 Indians, with Lisa Pankratz (drums), Kevin Smith (bass), and Brent Gorrell (vocals). But Olivier had also become an avid listener of Django Reinhardt. These influences combined with an obsession with post-war Franco-Italian cinema inspired him to start the 8 1/2 Souvenirs project with singer and good friend Tony Brussat (of the Jazz Pharaohs) early in 1993. Later that year, he was joined by Todd Wulfmeyer (bass) and Adam Berlin (drums). 8 1/2 Souvenirs had their first official show at Flipnotics (ATX) in late 1993, then started a weekly residency at the Continental Club (ATX). After Tony Brussat moved away from Austin the following year, Glover Gill (piano) followed by Kathy Kiser-Benayoun (vocals) joined the band. A few years later, Olivier became part of the first incarnation of Austin's own Asylum Street Spankers; toured coast to coast with 8 1/2 Souvenirs and alongside Brian Setzer and his Orchestra; and formed the bands Paris49 and Continental Graffiti.
Olivier Giraud has been a steadily working musician in Austin, TX, for over 30 years.
Kathy Benayoun (née Kiser, executive producer, vocals, kazoo, claves, percussion)
Kathy became the band's first female singer when she and Glover Gill joined the group in 1994. They skyrocketed to local success and recorded "Happy Feet" live at The Continental Club with her in 1995. She then married and was whisked away to The Keys, where she began her family. Thanks to the musical gods, in 2014, she helped wrangle the original band back together. They have been performing ever since. Oh, yeah, At The Movies is her FIRST studio album!
Dan Walton All Things Keys (piano, accordion, B3 organ)
Dan is the newest member of the band, joining in 2019. He is a jazz pianist based in Austin, Texas. Originally hailing from the San Francisco bay area, his music draws from various influences--from boogie-woogie to stride, bebop, and classical music. He has also worked quite a bit in the western swing genre. He has recorded/performed, including Willie Nelson, Asleep at the Wheel, Lyle Lovett, Jerry Jeff Walker, Pat Green, Johnny Bush, Paul Shaffer, Garrison Keillor, Leon Rausch, and Elvin Bishop, to name a few. Dan enjoys working in a great variety of musical genres. His work as a musician has taken him worldwide, and he enjoys music and art from many cultures and countries.
Todd Wulfmeyer (contrabass, writer-composer)
Todd is an original member of the band. He brought his Rockabilly Swing to Austin from Denver, where he played with the Jinns. He plays upright bass with us, but he also has guitar skills. Todd has played with Marti Brom, High Noon, The Modern Don Juan's, and to name a few.
Robb Kidd (drums, percussion)
To say who Robb Kidd doesn't play drums with would be much easier than listing the awe-inspiring bands that he does! We are blessed to get to share him. Robb is 'one of the originals,' taking over drumming duties halfway through the band's heyday.
Photo by Christian De Massis
Click here to download hi-res copy
Photo by Christian De Massis
Click here to download hi-res copy
Links:
Bandcamp At The Movies:
https://8andahalfsouvenirs.bandcamp.com/
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1GJklgIRVZp9UKIBUXjKmZ
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/eightandahalfsouvenirs/