1. Straight-edge hard core from Seattle
2. Montreal-based composer/multi-instrumentalist
3. California indie-pop trio
1. Energetic, positive Straight Edge Hardcore from Seattle.
Champion released two EPs, entitled ‘Come Out Swinging’ and ‘Count Our Numbers’ (which were eventually compiled onto one record entitled ‘Time Slips Away’), a single full-length album, ‘Promises Kept’, and a split EP with Betrayed (who featured two members of Champion) before splitting in 2006. Other members of Champion are now involved with The Vows, another Straight-Edge hardcore act from Seattle, as well as On.
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2. Accomplished composer and multi-instrumentalist, guitar god, producer and deeply rooted DJ within the Montreal electronic music scene, Maxime Morin, also known as Champion, is a prestigious and talented musician.
Music lover since early childhood, he started playing at the tender age of 5, then got closer and closer to what became his partner for life: an electric guitar. Throughout his career, he’s helped form rock and punk bands, before discovering his new passion: electronic music. After 10 commited and productive years of performing and producing (under his alias Mad Max and Le Max), the next natural step was to combine his two main obsessions and release his most important project so far : Chill’em all.
Chill’em all bites, and hard. With its sharp guitars, its sensual grooves and cleverly mixed rythms, it sparks the senses out of you. True orchestra man, Champion has created a musical monument, which sets itself aside from the rest with its combination of exquisite guitar melodies and techno beats. Along with being an accessible album for everyone’s palate, Chill’em all provides a unique live experience on stage, wether it’s Champion en solo, with laptop, loops and guitar or the extended version, where he becomes the conductor, accompanied by 4 guitarists, one bass player and a lead singer, leading his creations sky high.
Champion’s talent is undeniable. After playing at the 2004 Academy Awards for Les Triplettes de Belleville, at Les Francofolies de MontrĂ©al (2004), at the Montreal Jazz Festival (2004-2005), in France, Germany, Finland, Mexico and in Canada, his album Chill’em all was successfully welcomed, and received the album of the year awrard in the electronic-techno music category at the 2005 Autre Gala de l’ADISQ, proving that the public is ready for his ingenious corrosive/emotive fusion.
After another trip to France, last December, at Les Transmusicales de Rennes, the critics were unanimous, he was the revelation, and festivals from around Europe have all manifested a huge interest in him. He was also recently invited by The Academy of Interactive Sciences and Ubisoft, to perform at the ninth annual Interactive Achievement Awards (sort of the equivalent to the Oscars, but for the video game industry), in Las Vegas. An attractive international career awaits Champion, with invitations to play in Europe and in the U.S., the future’s lookin’ bright!
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3. Indie pop project featuring Barbara Manning (bass, vocals), Loki St. Lynn (guitar), Charles “Cleanhead” Mohhnike.
Champion MySpace site