Lieutenant Caramel, French experimental artist Philippe Blanchard (born May 24, 1961 in Mayet, France) composes music in his Studio Acteon, now Studio Forum in Annecy. He defines himself as a hunter of sounds, and collects material from his different journeys (Syria, Iran, Roma, Venice, Madrid, Samarkand...).
Caramelos has won awards from several international competitions: GMEB in Bourges, France, the Luigi Russolo prize in Italy, Radio France, La Muse in Circuit (Mauricio Kagel prize), CIMES-FICS in Prague. He received the Radio France International award "Hunters of sounds" in 2000 for "Captain Cook".
He's the founding member of the Noise of Snow Festival in Annecy, as well as being the part of direction, since 2010 and jury of the Luigi Russolo International Sound Art Competition - competition for the best electro-acoustic composition founded in 1979.
Some of his collaborations include Denier Du Culte, Pacific 231, Victor Nubla, Kommissar Hjuler Und Frau and others.
Unique sounds he creates are inspired by futurism, musique concrete, electro-acoustic music...
Blanchard samples Joseph Beuys social sculpture 'Ja Ja Ja Ne Ne Ne' on the opening track 'Hommage au feutre'. As for my personal impression, vocals on 'Toiles de mer' overwhelmed with hysteria depict the spoiled gypsy kiddo from Budapest ghetto whose main occupation is to wake me up every morning with his endless cries...
