Cazals

Cazals are a London rock and indie group active from 2003 to 2009. The band includes lead guitarist and manager Daniel, singer Phil, second guitarist Luca and bassist Martin, and at one stage all five members live together in Whitechapel. They know Pete Doherty from childhood and tour with Babyshambles. The group also puts on all-night warehouse parties in east London, including Cazalaid, a fundraising event after the theft of all their equipment, at which Bloc Party play.

Activity and associated work

Outside the band, Luca DJs electronic music, Phil appears in a number of British independent films, and Martin works as a remixer and producer. The band also has cameo appearances in Nathan Barley.

Recording and releases

Cazals sign to the French label Kitsune, an electronic-music imprint associated with compilations such as Maison and with releases by acts including Digitalism, Simian Mobile Disco, Crystal Castles, Klaxons, Foals and Late of The Pier. The label is not normally focused on guitar bands, but it releases Cazals after hearing their track Poor Innocent Boys, which appears on Maison 2. The band’s debut album, What Of Our Future?, is shaped by extended work on arrangements and includes spiky guitar tracks, lo-fi electronic drum loops, French-leaning pop songs, experimental passages and a piano-led closing track. Other named songs include New Boy In Town, To Cut A Long Story Short, Somebody Somewhere, A Big Mistake, We’re Just The Same, Comfortable Silence, Life Is Boring and Time Of Our Lives.

Style and split

The band is described as working with layered arrangements, electronic textures and a mix of guitar-based and French-influenced elements. Cazals split in November 2009 and its members move on to separate interests, mainly producing and other musical projects.