Air's former Paris-based backing band, Phoenix, is poised for success, but they have their own definition of the word. Their fourth album, 'Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix' is set for worldwide release later this month, and shows for their upcoming international tour are already selling out.
The album's first proper single is 'Lizstomania.'
The music video draws on imagery of its namesake Franz Lizst.
And while the album's name also conjures up images of another classical composer, band members say they were only having fun.
Thomas Mars & Christian Mazzalai, Recording Artists, said, "the title has nothing to do with Mozart. It's more of an icon of Mozart. We wanted to destroy like kids, like when Salvador Dali was painting a mustache on the Mona Lisa. It's just this kind of joy we wanted to create. Satisfaction."
By most accounts, Phoenix should be feeling pretty satisfied. They won the coveted musical guest spot on a Saturday Night Live episode in April, and performed "Lisztomania" and "1901."
Mazzalai says they're not particularly nervous about performing at high-profile venues.
Christian Mazzalai, Recording Artists, said, "Sometimes we play in front of a very small venue, a few people and we are more stressed than playing in front of thousands of people because there are no rules really, like chemistry -- sometimes everything can happen and a disaster can come.That's what we like, the idea of danger. You don't control anything. In comparison of an album, you control everything. When you are live, it's the opposite -- it's just mess up."
Mess up, but in a good way.
(CCTV May 22, 2009)
