Paul Francke (musician)
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Paul Francke |
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Paul Francke (born June 16, 1979) is an American songwriter and instrumentalist. He formed the space rock band Alsace Lorraine in 1998 with guitarist Hewson Chen, who was then recording with the Parasol Records group Vitesse.[1] Alsace Lorraine's first album, Through Small Windows, was well received within its genre, leading to a US tour. Pitchfork Media's introductory review[2] compared the album's sound to the English group St Etienne, a comparison further borne by 2007 (and continuing) collaborations with St Etienne's producer Ian Catt.
After an appearance at Austin, Texas' South By Southwest festival in 2002[3], Francke and the group produced scattered compilation tracks over several years. In 2003, he both enrolled in an Episcopalian seminary and began a collaboration with an avowedly atheist friend, Isol. His work with Isol, the Darla Records album Dark One by Alsace Lorraine,[4] precipitated a Public Radio International performance in 2007[5].
Francke is to be ordained an Episcopal priest in late 2009, focusing on academic work. He has served as deacon at Columbia University and in the Summer, when academic ministries subside, he volunteers in the clergy of St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery, New York City.
