A calm melancholy air drifts through Joseph d'Anvers' music. After a formative period of pounding post-rock and indie hardcore, his first album proper "Après Les Choses en Face" (After The Things Opposite) in 2006 was a decidedly sedate affair. But after touring the album at all the major French festivals and even Japan, Joseph still felt that he was searching for a new sound, and soon retired to his his humble studio in the north of Paris to reinvent himself. Vocals and guitar is all very good, but how about starting with the beat? How about adding a rough bassline? After listening to The Beastie Boys, Gorillaz, Radiohead, Blonde Redhead, Björk and Beck, he had plenty of ideas for something with a little more groove, something more hard hitting, something a little... dirty. Thus began not only a journey across musical boundaries, but also physical ones. Joseph journeyed from Paris to Rio, on to New York and across to Los Angeles. Both he and his music yearned for new horizons. Each city was to bring its own special input. Mario Caldato Jr. (producer of The Beastie Boys, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Jack Johnson and Beck) agreed to lend Joseph his talent for mixing rock riffs and hip hop beats. Armed with just a guitar, Joseph went to meet him in Rio where a veritable family of musicians - including Caetano Veloso's son Moreno - was waiting to greet him. Unexpected inspiration, happy accidents... the sessions marked the start of a new mix of sounds that Joseph was hoping for. "Mario approached my songs like a hip hop producer," he smiles. On to Los Angeles to mix the album. Here, Joseph met and collaborated with Money Mark. The result, "Kids" is a homage to the Larry Clark film, and Joseph - spurred on no doubt by the city itself - continued to be inspired by Gus Van Sant, Harmony Korine, video games, cult Japanese novels by Murakami Ryû... The album talked of addiction, soul ache, the uncertain future... tough themes complemented by some inspired melodies, each song a balancing act of savage energy and laid back vocals, sensuality and soul searching. "Everything made sense when it was finished, thanks to the travels and encounters," he admits. Get ready to be transported.