Chvrches

Relatively new to the synth-pop music scene in both Europe and America is the band Chvrches. The three-person band formed in 2011 in Glasgow, Scotland.

Iain Cook and Martin Doherty met in college and were both involved in other bands before Chvrches. Lauren Mayberry, the lead singer, obtained a law degree and master's in journalism, freelancing for a few years in her twenties.

The group premiered its music in 2011 after its formation with the song “Lies.” In 2012, Chvrches released their first single, “The Mother We Share.”

The band immediately began performing and touring throughout Scotland and shortly after became known worldwide. Their songs have been ranked on a variety of charts.

The band released its first EP Recover in early 2013 and quickly launched its debut album, The Bones of What You Believe, by the end of the year.

All throughout 2013, Chvrches made waves in the music world performing on TV, speaking out on serious feminist issues and performing with bands such as Passion Pit and Two Door Cinema Club.

Chvrches’ music is upbeat and synth-y. Mayberry’s voice rises above most of the instrumentals, and many of the songs are reminiscent of influencers Robyn and Kate Bush.

Along with touring throughout America and Europe, Chvrches have also performed at festivals such as Firefly, SXSW and Sasquatch! The band is returning to the US this spring for a short tour in big cities like New York and Washington D.C.

Alexander Rybak

The musician of the week is the adorable, but somewhat goofy-looking Belarusian, Alexander Rybak. The talented violinist is known for his sweet crooning and the unmistakable folk and baroque influence in his music. Although Rybak sings in both Russian and Norwegian, his most popular hits are in English.

His hit song, "Fairytale," won him the 54th Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow in 2009, also jumpstarting his career. His score of 387 points was a record for the contest, and soon after, Rybak released his first album, Fairytales. He then went on to tour throughout Europe, and even performed at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert held in December, 2009. Rybak is quite the "Aaron Carter of the '90s" for young girls in Europe, but unfortunately he has not yet made his way into American pop culture. But luckily he still has time!


The following year, Rybak released another big hit, "Europe's Skies," which is heavily influenced by traditional Russian music. The violin is stronger than ever, and Rybak sings of his love for Europe and his life filled with travel. Other songs of his have the distinct subjects of love and nationalism. His second album was called No Boundaries, which reached number seven on Norwegian charts even though it wasn't as successful as Fairytales. His only album written and performed in the Norwegian language was released in 2012.

Since then, Rybak has released a few music videos and new singles, but his most recent album was a Christmas album called Christmas-tales, all versions of traditional tunes sung in English. Other than singing and performing, Rybak has done some small-time acting and participated on popular shows such as the X-Factor in Romania.

Carla Bruni

Note: There is now a slight change to the format of International Bands of Mystery. Instead of highlighting the music of different countries, I will now be sharing information on various international musicians. 

La belle of France, Carla Bruni is a multi-faceted little creature with stunning features, immense talent and a large heart. The Italian-born former model/musician/philanthropist has sure made a name for herself in Europe. Not to mention, she is the former first lady of France. Wow.

Bruni was first noticed by modeling agencies as a teenager, and quickly escalated to being one of the highest-paid fashion models. Her good looks and lanky figure earned her gigs with a multitude of high fashion houses, and she dated superstars like Eric Clapton and Mick Jagger.

Bruni dropped modeling in 1997 and began a career in music. Her debut album, Quelqu'un m'a dit, was released in 2002, winning her an EBBA award in 2004. A few of the songs were used in various films, most notably 500 Days of Summer, in which the title track is heard.

Bruni's second album, No Promises, is made up of different famous poems, including those of William Butler Yeats and Emily Dickinson, and it is set to music. Her third album, Comme si de rien n'était, was release in 2008, the same year as her marriage to the then French president, Nicolas Sarkozy. Bruni decided that royalties going toward the album should be donated to charities.

On that note, Bruni has been involved in many other charities and causes. She supports many different charitable foundations, is the world ambassador for the protection of mothers and children against HIV and performed at Nelson Mandela's 91st birthday along with Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin.

Bruni's most recent album, Little French Songs, was released in April of 2013.

The singer/songwriter's music is gentle and for the most part very quiet. She is greatly influenced by her idols, Joni Mitchell and Serge Gainsbourg. Her songs are characterized by guitar strumming and simple piano riffs, while the main attraction is her soft, whispery vocals.