Classically trained French percussionist Sebastien Schuller began his music career in 1988 at age 18, creating a melancholic electro pop sound influenced by New Wave pioneers like Depeche Mode and OMD. Despite his percussionist training, he taught himself keyboard and explored new genres working with contemporary artists. His 2002 EP "Weeping Willow" marked his debut, featuring heartbreaking songs infused with his classical roots. Schuller went on to compose soundtracks, release albums exploring varied styles, and tour internationally, establishing himself in both France and the United States with his blend of electronic and ambient music.

1. Classically trained Parisian percussionist/composer Sebastien Schuller’s started off
in 1988 at the ripe age of 18. His music’s melancholic beauty with classical musical
touches, rounded out by New Wave pioneers, Depeche Mode and OMD’s, influences,
touched off a creative sound that has slowly grown over the years.
Starting off as an orchestral percussionist prodigy, Schuller ignored his
percussionist training and attempted to make new music outside his comfort zone,
intent on creating melodies on his first keyboard, hitting up contemporary artists
like Talk Talk. His brand of electro pop took years to perfect, with Schuller
admitting, “being intimidated” by the whole process.
After carefully crafting his songs around his melodies, and signing with Capitol
Records, he released 2002’s “Weeping Willow,” a testament to his roots, an album
infused with heartbreaking and haunting songs. Four years later, he composed his
first soundtrack, the backdrop to Franck Guérin's 2006 TV film “Un jour d'été,” or “A
Summer Day,” a film dealing with the aftermath of a teen’s death at a soccer match.
This would also lead to future collaborations with Guérin.
That same year marked the release of Schuller’s second release and first full-length
LP, “Happiness,” a somewhat ironically titled album. Described as reverberating
with “emotional resonance,” this album introduced a new, more pop and
revolutionized Schuller.
Shortly thereafter, he became more international, dividing his time between Paris
and Philadelphia and setting a new change of pace for his works, becoming more
deeply influenced by more contemporary artists of the era, like Animal Collective
and The Knife’s Karin Dreijer’s side project, Fever Ray.
2009’s “Evenfall,” a whimsical but still ethereal and dark album kicked off his
extensive European tour. Playing France’s Cognac Festival and the World Wide
Festival in the South of France. He also played, in residency, at Brooklyn’s Sycamore
for four continuous weeks, preparing him for his foray into 2010’s SXSW and
NRMAL Festival in Monterrey, Mexico.
LINKS:
http://www.sebastienschuller.com/en/bio-en.html
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2163096/ - Sebastien Schuller’s IMDB
http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/sebastien-schuller-happiness/
His dark and hopeful, as well as nostalgic, electro pop music took years to perfect
with Schuller admitting to being “intimidated” by the whole process. The classically
trained percussionist began making music at 18, attempting to use the keyboard
instead of his training as a percussionist and becoming a multi-instrumentalist along
the way.

2. Schuller’s
Bursting onto the indie scene with 2002’s EP “Weeping Willow,” Schuller began to
carve a new arena for himself in electronic and ambient music.
After some initial intimidation at the craft of songwriting, he began to build his
music around his influences, which range from New Order, Depeche Mode to
classical and contemporary music.
Inspired by Depeche Mode and OMD’s influence as a youth,
As a SXSW newbie, he’s finding his way through his adopted country, the U.S., and
while homesick, is excited at this new turn of events. Spinner.com was lucky enough
to speak to Schuller, to discuss his American and French audiences and why he isn’t
a DJ.
French percussionist/music Sebastien Schuller’s career has expanded over twenty
years, with various influences from his youth, where he played classical music to his
exploration and love of New Wave bands like OMD and Depeche Mode and the use
of electronic beats.
The blend of electronic influences with his nostalgic-laced songs started from his
2002 EP “Weeping Willow” and is the perfect backdrop for a cloudy and snowy day,
melding his love of New Wave bands like Depeche Mode and OMD to his experience
as a percussionist