projects

Vie privée

During high school, Erik came across a band looking for a singer. Vie Privée was born around Erik Karol, Angel Garel de Ayala (guitar/synthé) and Stéphane Claude (bass). Erik wrote the lyrics and the trio together composed the music. Manuel Dubigeon joined the group as drummer a few months later.

The band played several concerts in the Paris suburbs and then their first two concerts in Paris at the sold out Gibus club. Then the group affirmed its originality in many new compositions and in scenic services. Noticed in the Paris area, compositions of the group varied between the dark, the gothic, punk, rock'n'roll, and the contemporary; music based on black and mystical texts. The theatrical environment of their concerts was described as being hypnotic.

"Star Reich," an unclassifiable progressive punk song, ranked at number 1 for several weeks on the charts of a significant local radio station in Paris.

Manuel Dubigeon left the band just one year after his arrival. The group continued in trio with electronic drums and had some of their best performances yet. Vie Privée finally found recognition with "Dans les Jardins du Prince" recording on a compilation album of Parisian groups…which unfortunately was never released. Following this they then took part in a video festival for the launching of a cable TV channel. "Hypnose" is still retained for the station's credits.

…Vague or aborted projects, not enough resources, and no real management finally led the band to split up.

The motto of Vie Privée was "time doen’t erase everything": some of their songs are still in Erik's solo repertory, like "Lucky", "Doute", "Star Reich", and "Purs Sacrifices".

Angel Garel de Ayala is now travelling all around the world from India to Africa, from China to Amazonia to find and learn new musical techniques. He composed a song (Surya) at the end of 1998 for Erik's drum’n bass/indie project.

Stéphane Claude has continued to play bass for several bands.

Manuel Dubigeon collaborated with Erik on several projects, recording and live.

Back to Projects >>