Crystal Fighters

Crystal Fighters are a London-based electronic group active from 2007 and made up of Sebastian Pringle, Gilbert Vierich, Graham Dickson, Andrea Marongiu and Dr. Witchdoctor. The project begins in London, where Sebastian, Gilbert and Graham start making music together under different names before the line-up expands and the band develops a live performance setup with a drummer.

Origins and name

The group takes its name from an unfinished opera written by Laure’s grandfather during his final years. Laure finds the manuscript in his remote home in the Basque countryside and shares it with the others. The band adopts the title and builds its identity around the atmosphere of those writings.

Style and influences

Their music combines electronic and dance-oriented production with Basque folk melodies, traditional dances, synthesisers, bass-heavy funk and punk-influenced rhythms. The band also draws on experimental electronica. Basque music is a major influence on their songwriting: the riff on “Champion Sound” comes from the Basque folk piece “Sagar Dantza”, and “In The Summer” uses music associated with the Carnival of Lantz in Navarre.

Early releases and first album

Crystal Fighters gain wider attention in 2008 when “I Love London” circulates online. In 2009 they issue two singles through Kitsuné: “Xtatic Truth”, which is named BBC Radio 1 Single of the Week by Nick Grimshaw, and “I Love London”. The response places them among the most-blogged artists online at the time. Their first album, Star of Love, appears through their own label Zirkulo and is titled as an acronym of SOL, the Spanish word for sun. The record explores themes drawn from Laure’s grandfather’s writings, including the mystery of the universe, acceptance of death, love and the sun.

Live reputation

The band is noted for energetic live performances and for the way its sound brings together folk-derived instrumentation and electronic dance music.