Born in Panama, signed on the French label ‘No Format’, it is in New York, at the touch of spirits as independent as Marc Ribot, Meshell Ndegeocello, Martin, Medeski & Wood, that Marc Anthony Thompson alias Chocolate Genius Inc. has been able, like Terry Callier or Arthur Lee in their times, or like his contemporaries Joe Henry or Mark Eitzel, to develop the secret formula of a universal and subtle songwriting, neither black nor white.
A songwriting that can collect in the fibers the multiple components of American identity : granting the freedom to capture both the spirit and clever player of Van Dyke Parks and the prophecies fevered of Sly Stone, the rage that dries the ancestral blues of the irreverent glee of new York jazz, and the raw energy of the indie-rock growls of the sensual soul...

L.A. knows the poet as Thompson has been living in the city for the past years. Leaving L.A. for Chocolate Genius Inc was just a temporary affair. Seeing Chocolate Genius Inc. show will be another a-temporal experience for Los Angelinos.

At first glance one can see that François is artistically adventurous. He is one of those rare and fascinating multi-talented artists. Painter, writer, dancer… OohLaLA! introduces you to his profuse musical skills. Coming from the southeast of France to the southeast of England, in Bristol where he settled in, François developed his prolific carrier. Open to infinite influences, [from Françoise Hardy’s pop melodies and Dominique A's exigent lyrics to Northern African rythms, 80's synth genuineness to Congolese Sebene Guitars], always looking for artistic collaborations, he set up the Atlas Mountains collective and started their unique carrier. Unique for their lyrical, energetic afropop, tight and catchy melodies.  Unique for the charm and the ebullience on stage. Unique as they’ve been the first French band to sign by Domino Records. Unique as the bewitching time Los Angelinos will spend while watching the show at Satellite!

The equation is simple - One French girl + one American guy = the band Freedom Fry (Parisian born Marie Seyrat and New York City's Bruce Driscoll). Let The Games Begin, their debut EP, is a collection of 5 songs featuring a minimalistic sound of driving beats combined with various organic instrumentation - from autoharps and ukuleles to harpsichords and dulcimers. Marie's breathy, soft, French-acc
ented vocals combine hauntingly with Bruce's in both English and French.

Their following singles Earthquake and Summer in the City garnered rave reviews from Glamour, Les Inrockuptibles, Nylon Magazine, and American Apparel's Viva Radio blog. They continue to write songs for their debut LP and in the meantime they're releasing a steady stream of singles & videos leading up to its release.