Page France was an American indie folk-pop band, fronted by Michael Nau. Active between 2004 and 2008, the band played mainly emotional melodic music.
History
The band was started as a solo project in 2004 by Michael Nau, but quickly evolved into a full-time project with a somewhat revolving lineup of friends and collaborators. The band self-released their debut album, ''
Come, I'm A Lion'', which was then picked up by
Fall Records. Their second album, ''
Hello, Dear Wind'', was also released by Fall Records, then later re-released by
Suicide Squeeze
Suicide Squeeze Records is a Seattle, Washington-based independent record label that releases rock, pop, and metal music. Suicide Squeeze releases content on vinyl, CD, cassette, and digital. The label has also released comedy and performance a ...
.
The band released a double-EP on Fall Records in 2006, entitled ''
Pear and Sister Pinecone''. Immediately thereafter, the EP was abandoned and declared a "limited release" of 1,000 copies.
A tour EP entitled ''
Tomato Morning
''Tomato Morning'' is a tour-only EP by Maryland-based indie folk band Page France. It was released on Suicide Squeeze Records
Suicide Squeeze Records is a Seattle, Washington-based independent record label that releases rock, pop, and meta ...
'' was sold on the band's tours in 2006.
Page France's last album and third full-length, ''
...and the Family Telephone'', was released May 8, 2007 on
Suicide Squeeze Records
Suicide Squeeze Records is a Seattle, Washington-based independent record label that releases rock, pop, and metal music. Suicide Squeeze releases content on vinyl, CD, cassette, and digital. The label has also released comedy and performance a ...
.
The songs "Chariot" and "Jesus", both from Page France's second album, ''Hello Dear Wind'', were featured in the TV series
Weeds.
The Broadway Hush, Michael Nau's other side project, released 2 colored 7" records on
Velvet Blue Music
Weave details visible on a purple-colored velvet fabric
Velvet is a type of woven tufted fabric in which the cut threads are evenly distributed, with a short pile, giving it a distinctive soft feel. By extension, the word ''velvety'' means ...
, which had artwork created by
Richard Swift. Their last record deal was with
Suicide Squeeze Records
Suicide Squeeze Records is a Seattle, Washington-based independent record label that releases rock, pop, and metal music. Suicide Squeeze releases content on vinyl, CD, cassette, and digital. The label has also released comedy and performance a ...
, before the disbandment in 2008, because of band leader Michael Nau wanting to focus his full attention on
Cotton Jones.
Influence
Page France is now considered by critics as one of the most influential indie folk-pop bands of the mid-2000's, with comparisons to
Conor Oberst
Conor Mullen Oberst (born February 15, 1980) is an American singer-songwriter best known for his work in Bright Eyes. He has also played in several other bands, including Desaparecidos, the Faint (previously named Norman Bailer), Commander V ...
and
Jeff Tweedy. They're credited for inspiring future characteristics of indie folk-pop including “sing-songy” vocal work, percussive arrangements and strophic song forms.
Discography
Notes
External links
Page France @ MyspaceSuicide Squeeze RecordsFall RecordsMichael Nau Interview - The Other JournalPage France Interview - Tiny Mix TapesDaytrotter Session (Free Songs)
{{Authority control
Suicide Squeeze Records artists
Indie pop groups from Maryland