NLF3

NLF3 is a French post-rock group from Paris, active since 1999. It is formed by Ludovic Morillon, Fabrice Laureau, Nicolas Laureau and Jean-Michel Pirès. The band develops an instrumental form of rock that uses cyclical structures, dense textures and a mix of live and looped elements. Its sound draws on electronics alongside amplified kalimba, electric guitars and bass, drums, percussion and vocals, and it often moves between soundtrack-like writing and psychedelic expression.

Background and style

The group is created by the brothers Nicolas and Fabrice Laureau, who grow up between the former USSR, Germany, the USA and France. NLF3 is part of the Paris experimental scene and works with a set of influences that includes Alice Coltrane, Fela Kuti, This Heat, Can and early Sonic Youth. Its music also shares some of the rhythmic and improvisatory approach associated with Battles and Animal Collective, while exploring altered and repurposed instruments.

Releases and related work

NLF3 releases Part1-Part2 and Viva ! as its first two albums. The group also records a live accompaniment to Eisenstein’s Que Viva Mexico!, which is performed widely in Mexico, Japan and across Europe. The visual design for Viva ! is by Gaspard Augé of Justice, while the artwork for Echotropic is by Japanese artist Yu Matsuoka.

Production and wider activity

Fabrice Laureau records and produces all NLF3 material. He also works as a producer for artists including Dirty Three, Yann Tiersen and Shannon Wright. Before NLF3, the Laureau brothers perform in Prohibition, a group that releases five albums between 1992 and 1999, tours extensively in Europe and the USA, and plays shows with Fugazi, Blonde Redhead, Tarwater, The Black Heart Procession and David Grubbs. In 1995, they also set up their own label, Prohibited.