Crystal Fighters

Spain's Crystal Fighters, a folktronic band that combines Basque folk instruments with drum loops, heavy synth, and lilting vocals, were formed after singer Laure recovered a diary of her deceased reclusive grandfather's while visiting his Basque country home. Inside his notebook was the skeleton of an incomplete opera, with what would become the future band's name as its title. Intent on completing the work and honoring her grandfather's legacy, she returned to London and enlisted the aid of friends Gilbert, Graham, Sebastian, and Mimi, and together they researched and worked to finish his opera. Along the way, they became inspired by the dark folksy sounds of the Spanish instruments and combined them with booming basslines, and the band was born. In 2008, they signed to the French fashion and music label Kitsuné. Their first single, "I Love London," became the only unreleased track to be named one of Mixmag's Top 100 Tunes 2008, and has been heavily remixed and played throughout the European club circuit. Known especially for their dramatic, eclectic, and artful stage performances, Crystal Fighters promise to play new tracks and remixes at every show. Their next single, Xtatic Truth, dropped in May of 2009, and several other singles, including In the Summer and Plage, were released before the band's debut album, Star of Love, arrived in late 2010. Nearly two years later, in April 2012, Star of Love was officially released in North America.