The FLYING CLUB CUP

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Having released the internationally celebrated Gulag Orkestar as recently as May 2006, Beirut has been under the public gaze for little more than a year. Yet within that short time the band has toured globally and given rise to a tsunami of interviews, photo shoots and features. Amazing for an album conceived and recorded in a teenager's New Mexico bedroom. Two years ago, Condon was immersing himself in Balkan folk. Now 21 years old - and, Zach has soaked up the music of Francois Hardy, Charles Aznavour and, most notably, Jacques Brel. The new album, The Flying Club Cup, is an homage to French culture, fashion, history and music. In fact, each song is intended to evoke a different French city. The Orkestar, settled as a core group of eight full members, is now an integral part of Beirut's identity, and they have grand plans for replicating the album live. The album was recorded at the Masonic church studio owned by Arcade Fire, (populated by their many obscure instruments) and features an additional lush string sections on several tracks. Here is the further emergence of a singular musical talent - Mr Zachary F Condon, at present living in Paris - an artist unbounded by cultural borders and led wherever his heart travels.