Before LE MANS, there was a band called AVENTURAS DE KIRLIAN, which had basically the same line-up (all but Gorka, who would join later on). They got together in early 1986 in San Sebastián, where they all came from. They were influenced by YOUNG MARBLE GIANTS, Cherry Red bands, early TALKING HEADS, Tamla Motown and a few assorted psychedelic bands from the 60's. And they became a cult band after releasing a delicate, minimal pop album on a major label, which received great reviews but ended up being a commercial failure.
A brief period of despair followed as a result, but later in the year the band was playing live again with a new name: LE MANS. The recording of the first album under the new moniker took place between November '91 and August '93, with long gaps of inactivity in between. In the meantime, the band looked for a recording deal unsuccessfully, until Elefant Records offered to release "Le Mans" at the end of 1993. Elefant Records would be their recording home forever after.
Their records ranged from delicate indie-pop to minimal string orchestration, to slight touches of classy electronica and Astrud Gilberto's warm melodic hooks, and their music was licensed in many countries (USA, Japan, UK, Germany, Argentina...).
The band split in 1998 with a secret message that became more evident as they went on releasing their last singles and album: their single "Mi novela autobiográfica" boasted a big "F" on its cover; subsequent single "Yin Yang" featured an "I"; and the final album "Aquà vivÃa yo", an "N".
F-I-N. Spanish for "end".
After this, everyone followed their own paths: Ibon has released two solo albums, and is helping Teresa with the last touches to her solo debut, artistically known as SINGLE (both on Elefant Records).
Check our video!!
Song: Canción de todo va mal
From: ER-1110 LE MANS "Aquà vivÃa yo" CD Digipak
Directed by Gabe Ibañez in 1998
Get this video and more at MySpace.com
