finetune artist: Tahiti 80

This French indie pop outfit take their name from a souvenir T-shirt given to one of their fathers in 1980. Tahiti 80 was formed in 1993 by Xavier Boyer (vocals, guitar, keyboards) and Pedro Resende (b. Portugal; bass, keyboards, programming, vocals), who met at the University of Rouen where they bonded over a love of 60s pop. Guitarist Mederic Gontier and drummer Sylvain Marchand completed the line-up on the band's self-produced debut EP, 20 Minutes, which was released in 1996. The I.S.A.A.C. EP followed but the band did not release their first album until 2000, when Minty Fresh issued Puzzle (the album was mixed in Sweden by respected producer Tore Johansson). A hybrid of the best of 60s and 90s pop with a melancholy slant, the album inspired maverick Japanese musician Cornelius to work with the band. The follow-up, Wallpaper For The Soul, was equally eclectic, ranging from the Paul Weller-inspired "1,000 Times" to the whirling northern soul-tinged classic "Soul Deep". Shamelessly borrowing from the past but with a marked modern twist, Tahiti 80s shimmering summery pop is lightweight but undeniably enchanting.

Listen to Tahiti 80 at Finetune.

(2007) Puzzle
(2007) Wallpaper For the Soul
(2007) A Piece of Sunshine
(2006) Fosbury
(0000) Heartbeat (Single)

Changes
All Over Again
Something About You Girl
Chinatown
Here Comes...