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Nicolas Godin

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Nicolas Godin, born on 25 December 1969 in Le Chesnay, near Paris, is a French musician best known as one half of the duo Air. He studied architecture in Versailles, where he met the mathematics student Jean-Benoît Dunckel. Before Air they played together in the band Orange. The name Air does not stand for Amour, Imagination, Rêve, but refers to the airy sound of their music.

Music and breakthrough

It began as a solo project. At the request of a childhood friend, Godin wrote a track for a compilation on the small label Source: Modulor Mix, a tribute to Le Corbusier, recorded on a Portastudio. It appeared in 1995 on Source Lab and in 1996 in a new version on Mo' Wax. He then brought in Dunckel, and the duo made maxi-singles for Source. In 1998 the debut album Moon Safari was released, with the singles Sexy Boy, Kelly Watch the Stars and All I Need. With its blend of synthesizers, strings and guitar, it was a remarkable record for the electronic music of its time.

Influence

On 18 September 2015 Godin released his first solo album, Contrepoint, inspired by the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. Concrete and Glass followed in 2020, and then the music for the documentary Fire of Love, on which he worked in 2022. Godin shows how French electronic pop can combine classical melodies, architectural thinking and a soft, melodic sound.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Sexy Boy by Air and notice the layers of synthesizer, strings and guitar that together create a dreamlike atmosphere. Then find a piece from Contrepoint and hear where Bach shines through.

Discography

Studio albums

Categories: Artists