Pronounced "flow," this trio delivers a blend of exotic, down-tempo hip hop beats; keyboards, layered with ethereal sound effects; and breathy, jazz-inflected vocals.
Comprised of former Reality Check member Rod Shuler (DJ, programming, vocals); Marisol LaBoy (lead vocals, acoustic guitar); they blaze new territory with a new album that brilliantly brings their version of trip hop
to the music loving masses.
Originally launching in 1999, fleau immediately aroused attention, topping the charts on beatmart.com,
as well as making a splash on mp3.com and 1231records.com. This translated into early success for the
young band. Playing at Nashville nightspots such as Wolfy's, 3rd and Lindsley, and 12th & Porter bolstered
the buzz as well.
Band leader Rod Shuler's path led through Liberty University in Virginia, where as an undergrad, he helped
form the band Reality Check. Slugging it out in the touring trenches for several years, they won a southeastregional
talent competition that led into a contract with, Nashville-based, StarSong Records. After selling an
impressive 75,000 copies of its debut, the band broke up before a follow up could be recorded. Rod then
pursued DJ work, landing jobs with notable hip hop artist Toby Mac, and touring with bands Silage and
Parkway. He also contributed his decks to the award-winning, instrumental record Freedom, by
Michael W. Smith. But Rod was gradually becoming more interested in electronica. "I was hearing the
sounds coming out of Europe and the U.K., like Hooverphonic, Portishead, Tricky, and Massive Attack. I
started searching for ways to integrate those influences with a more pop-based form, that would allow me to
express myself lyrically as well." It was then that Rod decided to embark on a new project altogether...fleau.
Marisol LaBoy, having transplanted herself from Brooklyn to Nashville in February 2000, came in search of a
music career like many aspiring artists before her. She had been the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of her
own folk-rock band, Bruised Reed, but the band dissipated shortly after the move to Nashville. It was while
working as a back-up singer and looking for another musical outlet that she was introduced to Rod. "When
Rod and I met, we found a common interest in the jazz stylings of artists such as Ella Fitzgerald and Sara
Vaughn; and we also discovered we had a mutual love for the songwriting of Stevie Wonder," explains
Marisol. "We write songs to reach people, to evoke an emotion, and to share an experience. It is through our
songs where we desire to touch the hearts of our audience, and to promote the commonality of love."
fleau desires to continue breaking new ground. In 2004, the song Faithful (found on the EP fleau) was
featured in a Nashville-based independent film called Blind. This film was showcased at the 2004 Sundance
Film Festival, allowing the music of fleau to be heard by thousands. Additionally, fleau has surpassed
100,000 hits on mp3.com, as well as score a recent number one electronica song in Tennessee, with the single
Precious Love. fleau continues to create and inspire as they partner with the non-profit organization,
Shekinah Glory Ministries.
fleau's goal? To reach new audiences with their eclectic sound, and to bring a message of love and
hope to everyone.
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