Le Diamant Brut: Final Fantasy, Micah P. Hinson

Once in a while, we like to take some time to introduce you to bands -- both local otherwise -- that we think you'd enjoy. Le Diamont Brut aims to showcase those MySpace gems we hope to see shine. Recommend your local suggestions by emailing music@austinist.com.

FINAL FANTASY

What’s the Deal: Final Fantasy is Owen Pallett, and yes, he is a fan of the game series. That’s actually where he got his name. His music is full of some of the most emotionally startling sounds out there today. He blends stirring storms of classical violin and orchestral pieces with arty string rakes and sound experiments, all while singing with a gentle, honest voice that’s right out of 1960s folk.

From Toronto, Pallett’s album He Poos Clouds won the 2006 Polaris Music Prize, which is an annual music award given to the best full-length Canadian album. He’s experienced some success over the years as a composer for video games and film scores. He also composed two operas while attending the University of Toronto. But, odds are where you might remember him is his work composing string and orchestral arrangements for Arcade Fire’s Funeral and Neon Bible. He also often performs with the live band. As far as his own music goes, Pallett performs solo with just his voice and his violin, digitally looping sounds for thickness Andrew Bird-style, and occasionally he’ll play with a string quartet.

One of his more arresting songs is “Many Lives 49 MP,” whereupon the strings rise from chamber sophistication to crescendo and back all while Pallett’s soft, refined vocals carry on over punctuated shouts from a mob in the background. He also lends his elegant vocals and violin to “Cliquot” off Beirut’s The Flying Club Cup, which is a haunting tune about the tragic lives of the poor.

Something Interesting: He did an awesome cover of Mariah Carey’s "Fantasy" that’s available on YouTube and on his MySpace. It’s impressive. Also, he’s the son of two entomologists, or so his MySpace claims.

Other Tracks Worth Checking Out: “The Sea”

Final Fantasy MySpace

MICAH P. HINSON

What’s the Deal: This singer/songwriter’s days of hard-living, his rocky relationship with lady luck and musical maturation make him a prime candidate for a musical biopic, and he’s recently moved to Austin. He’s lived one of those extraordinary lives that only get stranger, and his story is almost more widely known than his music. But, both go hand-in-hand. Without one, the other wouldn’t be nearly as impressive

In his teens, Hinson became addicted to his muse, a model and musician’s widow, and then through her became addicted to narcotics. After being arrested for forging prescriptions and serving jail time, he was released only to have to declare bankruptcy and build his way back up from nothing. With some help from The Earlies, a fair amount of early buzz and some good old fashioned moxy, Hinson pulled himself out from the depths and is now releasing some of the most tragedy-inspired, grand and gloomy folk on the market.

Last year’s Micah P. Hinson and the Opera Circuit, which was recorded while Hinson was recuperating from an intense back injury, is perhaps his most expansive record yet. Friends came from all over to visit his home to record with strings, horns, a banjo and an accordion. The Western landscape of “Diggin a Grave” off the Opera Circuit will have you doing the dance of death as the violin tears a peppy and painful riff with a whining harmonica underneath Hinson’s deep tones. “The Possibilities” from his debut, Micah P. Hinson and the Gospel of Progress, builds layers of drums and piano upon his powerful vocals and acoustic guitar. The tracks acoustic beginnings prove that a few trusty chords, some well-chosen words and a voice aged to gravely baritone by life experience can be all you need.

Something Interesting: Pick something from a previous paragraph. His back problems began when a friend playfully hit Hinson on the small of his back. So yes, your mom was right. Horseplay can be dangerous.

Other Tracks Worth Checking Out: “It’s Been So Long” and “Little Boys Dream”

Micah P. Hinson Official

Image of Owen Pallett courtesy of his MySpace
Image of Micah P. Hinson courtesy of his Official Site