Who? Originally a solo project for singer/songwriter Michael Nau, Page France eventually grew into a four-piece act. The Baltimore collective — which is also made up of keyboard/glockenspiel player Whitney McGraw, drummer Clinton Jones, and bassist Jasen Reeder — issued their debut, Come, I’m a Lion in 2005, and their follow-up, Hello, Dear Wind, will be reissued via Suicide Squeeze this fall.
What’s the Deal? The band’s sophomore set is for fans of contemplative indie-pop, like that of Sufjan Stevens. But instead of states, Page France sing about spirituality. The album is filled with images of singing cherubs and descriptions of the Day of Judgment, which oddly resembles a rock concert. Even the son of God likes to get down: “Jesus will dance while we drink his wine,” they sing in the track “Jesus,” “With soldiers and thieves and a sword in his side / And we will be joy and we will be right.” What’s missing is the hellfire and brimstone: Sleepy “hallelujah” choruses, clap-alongs, and soft acoustic strumming temper the weighty religious themes.
Fun Fact: In his downtime, Clinton Jones likes to make sculptures out of old toys and doll parts. GINNY YANG
Now Hear This:
Page France – “Junkyard” (Download MP3)
Talk: Would you share a croissant with Page France? COMMENT
On the Web:
pagefrance.net
