Axel And The Farmers

Axel Concato has no homeland, but he’s got the fingers he needs to play several instruments, a voice to charm, sing and disturb you slightly at the same time, a physique that brings him as much pleasure as pain, and a musical talent that has led him to be sought after; hotly pursued almost, inciting him to travel the world.

He was born in Normandy. The town’s influence on his music can still be heard today, largely because he’s (still) surrounded by many of his childhood friends. He had a happy childhood, and effortlessly picked up playing the guitar, keyboard, bass guitar and drums.

Possessed by the spirit of rock’n’roll, this ‘gift’ that Axel Concato has been given led him to collaborate with songwriter Franck Langolff in 1999, before quitting Paris for Camden, London, in 2001. Represented by Andy Ross, he was hired as keyboard player in different support bands for some Epic artists. In 2003 he toured Texas for the South by South West festival with a Country-Punk band (White Russians).

This was with the same finesse with which he and Barth (with whom he has recorded an album) supported the Pretenders. We might mention here that after said Pretenders gig Paul McCartney insisted on personally congratulating Axel Concato on his keyboard playing skills. During that same year leading into 2004, Axel Concato formed the band ‘Axel and the Farmers’ in London, with English musicians. He went on to play multiple concerts with the band, became studio co-producer under Mike Pelanconi’s wing (Gregory Isaak, Graham Coxon…) and by the combined grace of his swagger and silhouette, starred as an extra in a number of TV shows and ads.

Strange as it may seem, all this didn’t make Axel Concato rich. He came back to Paris in 2005, went back to keyboard playing and producing (for the likes of artists such as Barth, Alice Carel), borrowed a studio from Franck Langolff, and set up a new project with his childhood cohorts. Cured of his obsession for creating the electronic patchworks he’d become known for, Axel Concato decided to revisit the rock’n’roll practice of playing instruments and the opportunity to perform ‘live’ both in France and the UK. He went on to pursue an enviable ‘bit part’ modelling career, appearing alongside Laeticia Casta and Monica Bellucci (Elle Magazine Anniversary Issue).

In 2006, Axel Concato still has no homeland. But 2006 is clearly Axel Concato’s coming of age... Creative maestro behind the music for the latest Volkswagen Polo ad, an energetic 5-track demo recording with his Farmers, plus a select smattering of summer gigs across the heart of France (Paris Paris, Les Terrasses du Jeudi in Rouen). Axel Concato has arrived. Watch out for his genius at a farm near you.