Les Gordon
Les Gordon | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Marc Mifune |
| Born | Rennes, France |
| Origin | Rennes, France |
| Genres | Electronic, ambient, downtempo, electronica, future garage |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, producer |
| Instrument(s) | Cello, guitar, synthesizer, sampler, computer |
| Years active | 2013–present |
| Labels | Kitsuné Musique (2016–2018)Arista Records (2018–present) |
| Website | Official Bandcamp |
Marc Mifune, known professionally as Les Gordon, is a French electronic musician, songwriter, and producer. He is known for blending classical instrumentation with contemporary electronic sounds, often drawing from ambient, downtempo, and future garage genres. Since his debut in 2013, he has released several albums and EPs, toured with major artists, and gained international recognition following the inclusion of his track "Flirting With June" in Apple's 2019 September keynote and "Wonderful Tools" campaign.
Early life and education
[edit]Born and raised in Rennes, France, Mifune is of mixed French and Taiwanese heritage. He began studying classical cello at age seven at the Conservatoire de Rennes, later teaching himself guitar during his teenage years. He pursued visual arts at the École des Beaux-Arts in Rennes and later attended École Émile-Cohl in Lyon, specializing in illustration and digital art. During this time, he began experimenting with music production software, merging his interests in visual and sonic art.
He adopted the stage name "Les Gordon" in homage to Scottish visual artist Douglas Gordon, whose time-based conceptual work inspired his musical exploration of rhythm and perception.
Career
[edit]2013–2015: Independent releases and growing acclaim
[edit]Initially releasing music under the name Morning Crash, Mifune transitioned to Les Gordon in 2013 with the self-release of his debut album White Land. The album received praise for its blend of warm melodies, acoustic instrumentation, and electronic textures. He followed this with Diadème (2014) and Françoise // Brigitte (2014), the latter paying tribute to Françoise Hardy and Brigitte Fontaine.
During this time, Gordon opened for Stromae on selected European tour dates and performed alongside Madeon and the collective Fauve, expanding his audience across France and beyond.
2016–2020: Kitsuné signing and mainstream exposure
[edit]In 2016, Gordon signed with Kitsuné Musique and released the Atlas EP, which featured the single "Abyss" and earned him international attention. He performed at notable French festivals including Transmusicales de Rennes and Printemps de Bourges.
He signed with Arista Records in 2018, debuting his major-label album La the same year. The album's standout track "Flirting With June" gained widespread visibility after being featured in Apple's 2019 keynote event and advertising campaign, resulting in millions of streams across platforms.
2021–present: Expansion and experimentation
[edit]Following the success of "Flirting With June," Gordon focused on collaborative projects and continued developing his sound. In 2024, he released the EP What's Love About?, which explored jazz and ambient influences and showcased more intricate sound design. The lead single "Velvet Dust" was praised for its emotional and textural depth.
Artistic style and influences
[edit]Les Gordon's compositions often begin with acoustic improvisations on cello or guitar, which are sampled and digitally manipulated. His classical training is evident in his melodic structures, while his production style incorporates ambient, downtempo, and experimental elements.
He cites Claude Debussy, Erik Satie, Jon Hopkins, Floating Points, and Rival Consoles among his influences. His work emphasizes emotional resonance and intricate layering, aiming to evoke specific moods and introspective states.
Performances and touring
[edit]Gordon is known for immersive live sets that incorporate live cello and guitar with electronic elements. His setup includes Ableton Live, MIDI controllers, and effects pedals, enabling a fluid mix of live performance and sequencing.
Notable appearances include:
Opening act for Stromae (2014)
Supporting Madeon during his "Adventure" tour (2015)
Sets at Sónar Barcelona, Melt Festival, and Primavera Sound (2017–2019)
Headlining European tour for La (2018–2019)
Boiler Room x Kitsuné live stream (2020)
Performances at We Love Green and Montreux Jazz Festival (2022)
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]White Land (2013)
Diadème (2014)
Françoise // Brigitte (2014)
La (2018)
EPs
[edit]Atlas (2016)
What's Love About? (2024)
Selected singles
[edit]"Abyss" (2016)
"Flirting With June" (2018)
"Neon Lights" (2019)
"Wavering" (2020)
"Dust to Stars" (2022)
"Velvet Dust" (2024)