Artist description In the beginning of 1995 the members of Marillion all had free time and Ian said he thought we should try to make an album together. At first there was a time of uncertainty when we didn't know if we would use pieces I already wrote, or if we would try to create new ones from jams we'd done together. It quickly became quite clear anyway that we wanted to do an instrumental album which represented a challenge, an interesting approach; in addition, I had a lot of instrumentals tracks written that I wanted to record and this concept pleased Ian cause it reminded him of the time when he played with Steve Hackett. A little later, just as the project was shaping up, Pete said he'd like to participate.Most of the time, Ian and Pete kept the parts I'd written because they were close to their own sensibilities. Sometimes, they personalized them and that always added to the song. On Memory of Eagle, Pete didn't play the fretless bass, which was done on a synthesizer. On Train de Vie and Crossing the Desert, which originated from jam sessions between Ian and myself, they entirely created their parts as we were recording. In general it was always impressive to see how those two are used to play together: Pete guessed Ian's breaks in advance and joined him exactly where he should right away. It was like magic. In addition, Ian and Pete were in an enthusiastic and fresh state of mind because it was the first project they'd done outside of Marillion for a long time. This album benefited from the strength and finesse of Marillion's rhythm section at its best.

Music Style Rock atmospheric

Musical Influences Marillion, Genesis, Yes, Police, Van Halen, David Gilmour, Steve Lukather, Ian Chrighton, Bob Dylan, Beatles, Beethoven, Schubert, Mozart, Debussy, Ravel, Satie

Similar Artists Iris

Artist History Sylvain relocated to England in 1992 after Arrakeen split up and started developing the music for IRIS. Whilst writing his own compositions, Sylvain gained valuable experience working with many and varied musicians in England including drummer COZY POWELL, Marillion's keyboardist MARK KELLY and recording work with Clive Nolan for the "CASINO" project by THIN ICE studios for S.I. Holland. Having a lot of material ready Sylvain found great enthusiasm from Marillion's Ian MOSLEY (drums) and Pete TREWAVAS (bass). In 1995-96, they recorded together the music of Sylvain's new project : IRIS. Choosing the challenging approach of an instrumental album.The album has been distributed around Europe since 1997 and received a very good press and response from the public. It had sold so far around 10.000 copies. Sylvain is now back in Provence (France) since the end of 1996 and has created a live band to take IRIS on stage. He also is currently writing music and lyrics for a next IRIS album.

Group Members SYLVAIN GOUVERNAIRE BIOGRAPHY Compositeur (IRIS, ARRAKEEN)Composer - song writer - interpret (guitar, piano, vocals) Sylvain was a young child of six when he first started to learn and write music for classical piano. Later he went on to study music theory, violin and harmony at Aix-en Provence university. He left with an impressive list of music degrees including Master of Music. At fifteen, seduced by rock and feeling creatively frustrated with classical attitudes, Sylvain started to teach himself guitar. Four years later, he was regarded as one of the best rock guitarists in France where he toured as front man with his first band AKYLON. IAN MOSLEY BIOGRAPHY Drummer for MARILLION and in IRIS - "Crossing The Desert"Born June 16th 1953, Ian MOSLEY was interested in drums from an early age. Influenced by his father Raymond, leader of the Westminster Symphony Orchestra, Ian first played the drums aged 10.After leaving school Ian was accepted into the Guild Hall School of Music where he supported himself by playing gigs and doing a milk round. Whilst still at the Guild Hall, Ian landed a couple of gigs, playing for the West End musicals HAIR and JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. From 1973 to 1980, Ian has played for various projects, including Daryl Way's WOLF, PETER GORDINO, the Dutch band TRACE and the GORDON GILTRAP BAND. Ian did also some session work for STEVIE WONDER and for DIANA ROSS among others. As luck would have it, Ian heard that MARILLION was looking for a new drummer and got a friend in the business to introduce him to the band manager, John Arnison. Ian was given the gig on a session basis during the recording of FUGAZI and became a full time member in January '84. 12 years and 10 million sales later, Ian Mosley is still an integral part of Marillion. PETE TREWAVAS BIOGRAPHY Bassist for MARILLION and in IRIS - "Crossing The Desert" Born in Middlesbrough on 15th January 1959, Pete's earliest musical passion was the BEATLES. He still remembers his mum bought "Twist and Shout"-Pete was 5 years old.Pete began Guitar lessons aged 7 with his 'little mate Robin' who is now top rock guitarist Robin Boult. By the age of 13, Pete switched to Bass. Through his teens, Pete played in numerous bands. He remembers his first live gig as being Daryl Way's WOLF at Friars, Aylesbury, "which was really weird" he says laughing "because I found out years later that the drummer in Wolf that night was none other than Ian Mosley.After 6th form college, Pete worked for some time as an apprentice television engineer (this would lead in years to come to what was better known as the "upside down T.V. Game", but that's another story). Then he joined a band called THE METROS. They put out one E.P. in the summer of '81 and were offered the chance of some dates in New York. The METROS ended their trip with a show supporting DURAN DURAN. In February '82, after seeing a gig of The Metros, FISH, Marillion singer, asked Pete if he could audition. He was successful and joined the band in March'82.PETE TREWAVAS has played on all the Marillion albums since the beginning and also contributes backing vocals both live and on record.

Instruments Guitare, piano & keyboard, drums, bass, programming, percussions, voice, synth fretless bass

Albums Crossing the desert

Press Reviews "Crossing the desert" Innovating instrumental rock album, born from a collaboration between French composer/guitarist Sylvain Gouvernaire and members of the English cult group MARILLION. IRIS is the eagerly awaited new venture by French composer/guitarist Sylvain Gouvernaire in partnership with the rhythm section of multi-million selling cult group MARILLION. The perspective of this unique Anglo-French collaboration is very exciting. When they heard of the concept, Marillion's drummer IAN MOSLEY and bassist PETE TREWAVAS were instantly seduced by the idea of recording with Sylvain who's music they had discovered some years previously when he was playing with French progressive rock band ARRAKEEN. The result is "CROSSING THE DESERT", an album of highly emotional instrumental rock music that will grow on the listeners, leading them through many diverse moods as the music plays by. From soft simplicity to chaos, an invite to dream. From the simplest expression of acoustic classical piano style through to chaotic and passionate rock grooves, each of the eight tracks has its own personality, telling a different story. This album has a unique artistic identity with many astonishing new sounds. "Crossing the Desert" is a successful combination of versatility and innovation by these world class musicians, proving unequivocally their genuine desire to create a dynamic and colourful album. This challenging alliance was bound to be fruitful; we believe it gave birth to a true jewel. But listen for yourself... The artwork was created by DANNY FLYNN, famous sci-fi artist who has designed covers for books by ARTHUR C. CLARKE, ISAAC ASIMOV and others. IRIS is distributed by: SPV in Germany, Tripsicord in France, Lucretia Records in Italy, Midstream in Benelux, Mega Rock in Scandinavia, Mastertrax in Spain, Marquee/Belle in Japan, etc...LGC Productions presents: With the success of the album 'Crossing The Desert' (about 10.000 Cds sold in Europe), IRIS is getting ready to appear on stage this year. The album of French Composer/Guitarist Sylvain GOUVERNAIRE (IRIS "Crossing The Desert"), recorded with the rhythm section of MARILLION, has sold about 10.000 copies in Europe. This album offers a subtle and emotional instrumental rock music, where melodies, enhanced with rich new sound textures, are developed into passionate vibes.Sylvain Gouvernaire, back from England, has put an IRIS live team together which is now operational and ready to go and meet IRIS fans in Europe.IRIS should be appearing live this summer and will play 'Crossing The Desert' integrally along with extracts of the next IRIS album which Sylvain is working on at the moment.

Additional Info Soon new released from Sylvain Gouvernaire

Location Marseille, Provence - France

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