Few frustrations can compare to that of an artist who suspects his audience didn’t fully resonate with his work. French ‘80s revivalist Anthony Gonzalez wrestled with that feeling with Junk in 2016. As M83, his combination of shoegaze and synth-pop earned praise from multiple camps. Even though Junk was received warmly…

This is the second in a three-part series. Read the introduction to learn how I’m scoring my list and find out about my “special consideration” in PART 1. Favorite Shows 2015 | Favorite Shows 2014 Favorite Shows 2013 | Favorite Shows 2012   13 – CHANCE THE RAPPER at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium – Oct. 21 At…

Three-by-three-by-three: Morgan Kibby sees her current work as White Sea in three sets of triptychs. The 32-year-old, formerly a songwriter and keyboardist in M83, was left wanting with the process of writing, recording and releasing her debut solo album, 2014’s In Cold Blood. So rather than approach her music…

Following his breakthrough sixth album, 2011’s Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming, which reached No. 15 on the Billboard 200 chart and briefly made him a household name, M83’s Anthony Gonzalez could have made the safe move and created a similarly epic-sounding synth and guitar dreamscape. Or, he could have reverted to his…

Jean-Philip Grobler was one of the most fun interviews I’ve had in recent weeks, because the South African musician gave a thoughtful answer to each question. I’m sure I asked a couple that he gets each time, but rather than read off his own press release, he worked to…

I was interviewing Jean-Philip of St. Lucia just yesterday, and brought up M83, whose early music is an influence on St. Lucia. I only mention that now because White Sea is the project of M83 keyboardist and vocalist Morgan Kibby. In “Prague,” she stays true to a lush, atmospheric…