Kaolin (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Defunct | 2014 |
| Headquarters | Montluçon , France |
| Products | Rock music albums and EPs |
Kaolin is a rock band originating from Montluçon, Allier, France. Their musical approach combines the expansive textures of post-rock with the energetic elements of power pop, featuring lyrics performed in French.
Their body of work comprises two independently produced EPs alongside five full-length studio albums. They have worked with notable figures such as Paul Corkett (known for his work with The Cure and Placebo) and producer Dave Fridmann (associated with Mogwai, The Flaming Lips, and Weezer). The band ceased activity in 2014.
Biography
Hailing from Montluçon, Kaolin maintained strong ties to their Bourbonnais origins, continuing to rehearse within their hometown area. The Cantillon siblings resided in Amiens until approximately the age of ten.
The group’s initial EP, Purs moments, debuted in 1999. Their first album, Allez (2002), received significant rotation on rock radio stations. Following moderate reception of their sophomore album De retour dans nos criques (2004), their label Barclay opted not to renew their contract, prioritizing more commercially viable artists.
Their third studio release, Mélanger les couleurs (2006), issued through the independent label At(h)ome, represented their highest commercial achievement, propelled by the popular track Partons vite, which explicitly alludes to Bob Dylan’s I Want You.
Lead vocalist Guillaume Cantillon simultaneously developed a solo career, unveiling Des ballons rouges in 2008 via an independent label.
After a hiatus lasting four years, Kaolin returned with a self-titled fourth album in 2010, produced by Jean-Louis Piérot. Their fifth and final album, Un souffle sur la roche, was released in 2013. The band officially announced their dissolution on June 5, 2014.
Since 2017, Guillaume Cantillon has continued his solo endeavors under the name Courcheval, releasing an LP in October 2022.
Members
- Vivien Bouchet – guitar, vocals
- Guillaume Cantillon – vocals, bass
- Julien "June" Cantillon – guitar, vocals
- Ludwig "Lulu" Martins – guitar, vocals
- Olivier Valty – drums