F  L  A  U  N  T

_“Our songs are about dreamlike influences. But strong events in Paris, like the terrorist attacks, have definitely influenced our music.”_ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There are stranger things in heaven and earth than are dreamed of in our philosophies, and it seems art-pop/future-wave band Las Aves want to explore all of them. “The unexpected and the unknown play a big role in our sound,” says the upbeat Jules Cassignol (one quarter of the band) over Skype from Paris. “You can either really represent the place you record in, or do the exact opposite and try to escape.” Given that Las Aves has a single titled “Los Angeles,” and they have titled their first album _Die In Shanghai_, one would assume a history of jet-setting, but both these cities were previously unknown to them and were used as muses to fantasize and disconnect from their everyday realities. Cassignol met bandmember Geraldine Baux at the age of 14 in their hometown of Toulouse, in the South of France, delving into co-creating and producing music shortly after. Having relocated to Paris two years ago, the duo is now only a short stroll away from each other in the 11th arrondissement. “It’s a great feeling to be close to everyone in Paris!” Cassignol asserts, but while the City of Lights may be their current home, it is not the only inspiration point for the up-and-comers. “Our songs are about dreamlike influences,” adds Baux, “But strong events in Paris, like the terrorist attacks, have definitely influenced our music.” While many expect a more cautious approach to music and live gigs after recent atrocities—such as The Bataclan massacre—Cassignol asserts that it’s engendered quite the opposite reaction in people: “Gigs and parties are a lot happier and a lot crazier! It’s great to see people react that way and not be stuck in fear—I guess people just realized how precious it was, so there is a real commitment to go out, party, get drunk, and forget about it.” * * * Stylist: Magali Suvelor. Hair & Makeup: Giulio Panciera. Photographer Assistant: Ksenia Obukhovskaya. Written by Ana Hoyos  Photographed by Nick Sushkevich