SXSW 2012

College, from his real name David Grellier, is a French electronic music composer born in 1979 in Nantes. At the end of the 90s, he purchased his first computer, with which he realized numerous demos influenced by artists such as Jeff Mills, Aphex Twin and labels such as Soma Records, Peacefrog or still Warp. In April 2007, he met Anoraak and decided to create a blog to share their most recent productions: the Valerie project was born. Other artists such as The Outrunners, Maethelvin or even Russ Chimes would soon join the blog. His first Ep Teenage Color was released that same year and allowed him to meet the German illustrators The Zonders.
A collaboration started then with the latter for all the flyers related to the Valerie Parties, as well as all the records and projects which are associated to them. An identity and a musical movement evoking a kind of nostalgia from the 80s arose and the international press started to notice the productions associated with Valerie. In 2009, while his first album entitled Secret Diary was being released, College toured with Anoraak all through the biggest capitals in Europe, the United States and Australia. College also collaborated closely with the Canadian duet Electric Youth, who participated to the Ep A Real Hero, released on the Belgian label Flexx Records. In the meantime, Valerie became a real label by producing two 7inch with the support of the New-York collective Free Danger.
After four years of existence, Valerie creates today a new subdivision in its catalog. Entitled Composer Series, this entity aims at releasing a series of special pieces composed and interpreted with one or several hands. Real items, these special pieces which are mainly unique instrumental works will take the shape of short-lived projects. This new collection will be available soon in laser disc (limited edition) as well as in digital, and the new record by College, Northern Council, will be its first release.