MELOMANE is a cinematic chamber-pop ensemble formed in 1998.

Melomane's distinctive sound has been called cinematic art-rock, and has been compared to such disparate acts as Belle and Sebastian, Elvis Costello, Calexico, Wings, and Stereolab. Some have called Melomane "the most European band in America," and others call them pop-noir. "These tracks combine garage accessibility and boho poetry with an ingenuity that will win over intelligent listeners and show musicians just how far a band can travel." (All Music Guide).  

Originally conceived in 1998 by singer/songwriter Pierre de Gaillande, Melomane's line-up eventually solidified to include bassist/vocalist Daria Klotz, cellist/synth-player Frank Heer, keyboardist Quentin Jennings, drummer Kenny Savelson and trumpets Brad Stewart. Frequent additional performers included Eveline Feldmann (trombone), Jeremy Thal (trumpet, French horn) Jody Redhage (cello), Philippa Thompson (violin and saw), and Jesse Neuman (trumpet).    

Over their career, Melomane have performed regularly in NYC at venues such as Joe's Pub, Tonic, Mercury Lounge, BAM Cafe, Northsix, and many others. The group toured Europe regularly and appeared at festivals and venues throughout Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Spain, Italy, and France. They were sponsored by the US embassy in Moscow in September, 2006 for a four-concert series in Russia. Melomane has appeared nationally and internationally with artists such as Wilco, Keren Ann, Luna, Arab Strap, Eleni Mandell, Fastball, and many others. Songs by Melomane are regularly featured on TV shows such as HBO's Real Sex, Discovery Channel's Alain Bourdain No Reservations, and many others.

The band's fourth release is "Look Out!," an EP of disaster-themed songs begun in a studio in the Pyrenees during a break from Melomane's tour of France. It is their most rocking output to date, featuring the cynical/poetic/political lyrics of their first three albums, but wading into all-out guitar aggression, large-scale orchestral soundscapes, and bittersweet melodic heartbreak in turns. Or as LucidCulture.com puts it; "Living proof that epic grandeur can be synonymous with great fun." The EP features a collaboration with LA-based singer/songwriter Eleni Mandell, who lends her vocal abilities to Melomane's first French-only number, Je Suis Une Allumette.   

Glaciers (Vermillion Music), Melomane's 3rd full length release, expanded on the enormously appealing artful arrangements of the first two LPs. Most notably, the track I'm in Love with Love/The Ballot is the Bullet, is a timely and personal comment on the American political situation. From opening track Hilarious, a deft love waltz set against the backdrop of global warming, to final track Kill Kill Kill, a death-disco invocation against violence, this album thrills and chills throughout.  

Melomane's first two releases, Solresol and Resolvo received rave reviews in many publications including Rolling Stone, Magnet, The Village Voice, Intro and more.