Electro- Potluck: Orange Blossom Brings Variety

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IT'S NOT THAT Carlos Robles Arenas dislikes rock music. He just thinks this globalizing world needs something fresher, that reflects its unique issues and intersections. Something like the stuff he's putting out with his Nantes, France-based electronic music outfit, Orange Blossom.

The group's sound is the product of the backgrounds, training and travel experiences of its members: Mexico native Robles Arenas, who programs, arranges and produces; French-raised, African-influenced percussionist Mathias Vaguenez; classically trained, contemporary-minded French violinist PJ Chabot; and singer Nawel Ben Kraiem, who claims Tunisian roots.

Orange Blossom's latest disc, 2005's "Everything Must Change," gives listeners an idea of what happens when these musical minds meet. Songs feature cultural collisions between driving electronic beats, serpentine Arabic vocals, West African drum rhythms, body-rocking funk, tweaky strings, the occasional accordion line, dub, opera and whatever else the group felt like experimenting with.

"It's like life," Robles Arenas. "Everything is mixed now. Rock was a different time in history. It was the '60s and '70s, and now, we go on to another thing."

Listening to Orange Blossom, it becomes apparent that this music tells the story of paths crossing in ways our society doesn't always encourage. It's about honoring the unique contributions of the individual and celebrating the novel end products that result from collaboration between distinct groups.

The band's Friday-night appearance at Lisner Auditorium marks its first-ever U.S. appearance. Robles Arenas says he finds the occasion "really exciting" because of what it represents — he sees this as a chance to combat the prejudices he's witnessed against Mexicans and Muslims in the U.S. and Arab immigrants in France.

"You can be a Mexican making music in France with Arab people ... and be a good human being," he says. "With love and solidarity, it's possible [to] change everything."

» Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st St. NW; Fri., April 17, 8.p.m., $20-$35 ($15 GW students, alumni and Alliance Francaise members); 202-994-6800. (Foggy Bottom-GWU)

Written by Express contributor Jenny Mayo
Photo courtesy Alliance Franchaise