Indochine and Christine and the Queens: 3SEX

Black Friday this year won't have any deal as good as this two-for-one from Indochine and Christine and the Queens.

They take a song from Indochine's back catalogue and give it a 21st century revision. There's a slight change to the title - from 3e sexe to 3SEX - and a slightly more significant overhaul of the music, strippping away the very 80s stylings of the original and creating something far more contemporary. 

Speaking about the collaboration, Christine said: "Last April, Nicola Sirkis called me and told me about revisiting 3e sexe.

"The whole world was breathing more slowly and my heart started pounding because this song tells something that is very personal to me, something that makes me want to be free. 

"Thank you Nicola for giving me the honour and the confidence to sing 3SEX with you, at a time when the very word freedom takes on all its meaning and urgency.

"Real revolutions never die."

 The song originally featured on Indochine's 1985 album 3, and was widely taken as an anthem to tolerance with regard to sexuality. 

 The new version of the song will feature on the forthcoming Indochine compilation Singles Collection (1981-2001), due out on December 11.

Grammy nomination for Woodkid

A nice surprise to see some recognition for Woodkid in the nominations for this year's Grammy awards.

He's been nominated in the Best Video category for the extraordinary clip that accompanies his track Goliath, the first track that emerged from his S16 album.

Also in the category are Beyonce for Brown Skin Girl, Future featuring Drake with Life is good, Anderson Paak's Lockdown and Harry Styles with Adore you. Woodkid, in his music video directing job, previously directed Harry Styles' Sign of the Times video.

He's an accomplished video director and it's not the first time he's been nominated for a Best Video Grammy either, being nominated in 2013 for Run boy run and in 2015 for The golden age. His Harry Styles vide won the Brit award for British video of the year in 2018.

During his career, he's made videos for Lana Del Rey, Taylor Swift and Katy Perry, as well as France's Nolwenn Leroy and Yelle.

This year's Grammys has Beyonce as the favourite to take home the most awards, with a total of nine nominations. Taylor Swift is on the shortlist for six as is Dua Lipa.

I'll be keeping my eyes on Woodkid hopefully coming home with a new shiny ornament for his mantlepiece. Fingers crossed.

The 63rd Grammy awards ceremony takes place on January 31 at the Staples Centre in LA.

Mustang: Memento Mori

Sometimes a song just comes along unexpectedly and knocks you over. Mustang's Memento Mori certainly does just that. 

Maybe it's the apparent simplicity of the song, its profundity and literacy worn lightly and with more than a hint of deadpan humour. It's nonchalant bounce and chiming guitars contrasting magnificently with its dark subject matter.

There's something of the classic groups of the 80s going on too, Echo and the Bunnymen and particularly The Smiths. But although it's familiar with classic indie, it's not trying too hard, and there's no nostalgia here.

Still, can't help but think Morrissey must wish he could write a song as good as this. 

The song comes from Mustang's forthcoming fourth album, also entitled Memento Mori, due out in Spring next year.

The three-piece have been around since 2006, releasing an EP that year, their first proper album A71 coming out in  2009. They're most recent was 2014's Écran total. It's been relatively quiet since 2017's  Karaboudjan EP, singer and guitarist Jean Felzine releasing both a solo EP and an album with Jo Wedin in recent years.

Memento Mori is the kind of work that a band at the top of their game might release, the fact that it's the first release by a band returning after a few years away makes it all the more remarkable. Their forthcoming album already makes the light at the end of the tunnel that 2020 has been all the brighter. 

 

P.R2B: Le film a l'envers

A new video from P.R2B, for the track Le film a l'envers, taken from her Des rêves debut EP. 

The six-track EP, released in September, has been welcomed by critics, who have described it as somewhere between hiphop and French chanson, with elements of the 1980s. Her official bio refers to Barbara and Kanye West, to Tyler the Creator and Catherine Ringer.

They're big names to throw around when it comes to describing an artist who has only released one EP so far, but it's an assured and confident piece of work and is capable of staring down any suggestion it doesn't deserve to be in such company. 

If you were into predictions for 2021 - perhaps not the wisest thing given how 2020 turned out - you'd probably be safe to say she'll be one of the artists of the year.

Prior to her musical career, P.R2B, or Pauline Rambeau de Baralon as she's known to her family, studied film production and made a short student film entitled Bird's Lament. The title came from a piece from Moondog, the story being about a young student who discovers the music of the legendary underground composer. 

Her experience working in film means she's as comfortable directing her own videos as she is performing in them. 

This month also saw her perform a live set from La Gaîté Lyrique in Paris, as part of the ARTE live concert series. Once normality is resumed, we'll hopefully be seeing live performances on other stages too.

Sébastien Tellier ARTE live concert

Last week Sébastien Tellier performed a special live concert, streamed online by ARTE.

The show was performed at La Gaîté Lyrique in Paris on Friday 13 November and features Tellier with a full band and stage show. But without an audience.

Tellier released a surprise album at the end of last week, a collection of re-interpretations of his previous work performed in a style he describes as 'minimalist yet lush', a kind of low-key epic, a widescreen lo-fi genre that he makes his own. Simple Mind gives you the opportunity to experience the songs again, in an unfamiliar setting, letting you draw new interpretations and conclusions about his work.

His set was Roche,  A Ballet.  La Ritournelle,  Divine. La Dolce Vita, Look, Stuck in a Summer Love,  Sexual Sportswear, L'Amour Naissant, L'Amour et la Violence, Domestic Tasks, Fantino, Fingers Of Steel and Comment Revoir Oursinet. 

It's a wide-ranging set, featuring work from throughout his career, many of which feature on Simple Mind

Well worth an hour of your time.

Queens of the Stone Age Bataclan commemoration live stream

 Queens of the Stone Age play an online concert in commemoration of the victims of the Bataclan terrorist attack, on the fifth anniversary of the tragedy.

The show, recorded in 2018 in Hobart, Australia, is to be broadcast on YouTube and will raise money for the Nick Alexander Memorial Trust and the Life for Paris organisation.

Nick Alexander was the member of the Eagles of Death Metal's merchandising crew who was one of the victims. Ninety people died at the Bataclan with a total of 130 dying across Paris in other attacks on cafes and restaurants and at the Stade de France.

It was an act of unprecedented barbarity, the worst attack on France since the Second World War. 

Josh Homme, leader of Queens of the Stone Age, also performs as part of the Eagles of Death Metal. He announced the live stream on social media, asking fans to donate if they can.

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Christine and the Queens: People, I've been sad

An absolutely cracking performance from Christine and the Queens for US TV.

She performed People, I've Been Sad for the Late Late Show with James Corden filmed at La Chapelle des Beaux-Arts in Paris.

TV shows can do all sorts of amazing things for staging live acts in a studio, but a backdrop like this is quite something. It's also somehow an appropriate stage for the song, adding both mystery and beauty.

It is, of course, filmed and produced to absolute perfection. Just marvel at the lighting in the background illuminating the treasures of the chapel.

In some ways it reminds me of some of the great work that's been done by La Blogotheque over the years.

The song is the first track on her La Vita Nuova EP, released earlier this year,

While it will certainly further Christine's reputation in the USA,  I can't help but think it will also attract one or two more tourists to explore some of Paris's lesser-known attractions once Covid-19's grip is relaxed.

Lost Noir Désir feat Alain Bashung song emerges

Well well well, what have we here?

An unreleased track by Noir Désir accompanied by Alain Bashung in what must be for some the best two-for-the-price-of-one offer ever.

For all I love Bashung and was a huge fan of Noirdez, it's not to these ears the best example of either, and certainly not a pooling to their talents to create something better than they could create on their own. I mean, it's not awful, but as the title suggests, it's pretty dumb and for acts that are both celebrated for being articulate and poetic, it's a bit of a letdown.

The track comes from a forthcoming Noir Desir box set that rounds up their complete discography over 18 (!) CDs and a DVD. Entitled Intégrale it covers their discography including all their studio albums remastered in HD, the live albums Dies Irae and Noir Desir En Public, as well as several discs of out-takes, demos and unreleased material. There's also another live album recorded at the Elysee Montmartre in 1991. 

It looks like the definitive article wrapping up the entire Noir Désir story, from their peak to their tragic ending.At under 100 euros it's likely to be found under many trees this Christmas.

As for Bashung, it's great to hear something I've not heard before., despite my reservations. It's not his finest work, and 2018's En Amont will probably be the last word in quality posthumous Bashung material, but there's pleasure to be found in hearing him obviously having fun with some friends and kicking up some imbecile rock 'n' roll.

Intégrale is released on December 4.

France at the MTV EMA Awards 2020

For all it's called the European Music Awards, the MTV EMAs has always been the most international of award ceremonies. Hosted this weekend by (most of) Little Mix, the event had Lady Gaga as the most nominated artist, followed by Justin Bieber and BTS.

The two-hour-long show - the 27th time it has been staged - was broadcast internationally, but Covid-19 restrictions mean that the performers taking part were filmed at different locations around Europe rather than at a central event.

 

Among the main awards, alongside the four awards won by BTS, David Guetta picked up an award for Best Electronic. He was also nominated for the Video for Good category for Let's Love, a duet with Sia, but the category was won by H.E.R.'s I can't breathe.

Guetta performed at the event, with a version of Let's Love featuring Raye from Budapest.

In the regional awards, the five shortlisted acts were Soprano, Slimane et Vitaa, Gims, Matt Pokora and Aya Nakamura. The prize was picked up by Matt Pokora.

From the Belgian nominations, Angèle won the Best Belgian Act award.

Look! It's a surprise from Sébastien Tellier

 Surprise! Sebastien tellier has a new album out this week. 

Just a matter of months after he released Domesticated, Simple Mind sees Tellier re-interpret some of his own songs, re-recording them in a style he describes as "minimalist yet lush".

 From his 2001 debut L'incroyable vérité to Domesticated, Tellier has over the course of seven studio albums, several soundtracks and a number of collaborations and side projects established himself as one of France's most significant and innovative musical artists.

Look originally featured on his 2008 Sexuality album. Other tracks featuring on the new collection are Domestic Tasks, L'amour et la violence, A Ballet, Divine, Intromission, Finger of Steel, Stuck in a Summer Love, Comment revoir Oursinet, Ricky L'adolescent and Against the Law

Tellier says about the new collection: "Simple Mind is a total rebirth for my music. For this minimalistic live recording, I’m cleansing my own songs so you can (re)discover them in the most pure and intimate way. 

"I want to take you to the closest of my chords, my melodies and my voice in order to share the essence of my art with you. 

"As simple as that. "

Angèle on the new Dua Lipa single

It's pretty cool to see a major francophone artist collaborate with a high-profile UK/international artist, and that's exactly what's happened with Angèle appearing on the new single from Dua Lipa.

Angèle, although massive in France and in her native Belgium, is still very much an unknown in the UK. Her 2018 Brol album may well be quadruple platinum on Belgium and a diamond seller in France, but in the UK she's likely to pass unnoticed in a late-night London chip shop, as the video shows.

Not so Dua Lipa, whose Future Nostalgia collection released in March reached number one, as it did in 13 countries, amid considerable critical acclaim.

Fever features on the French edition of the album, and the release of the track as a single will introduce Angèle to a wider anglophone audience who might be surprised by francophone rap's sharpest Belgian export making her first appearance on an English language track.

If anything the collaboration shows Dua Lipa's been paying attention to what goes on outside the anglophone music world, and that she's got a wider worldview than many others. 

Whether it establishes Angèle as the next breakthrough French-speaking act in the notoriously monoglot UK is uncertain, but the opportunity to hear some French rap on mainstream music radio is something to cherish.

NRJ Music Awards 2020

With gigs and events cancelled or postponed across France, this year's NRJ Music Awards are just one of the many events to have been affected.

While the French government has given permission for the filming of TV shows and films as well as rehearsals and preparations for events to continue during the lockdown, it looks like the NRJ Music Awards will be a different event this year, even though it takes place on December 5, just days after the confinement period is expected to end.

According to Ara Aprikian, the director of programmes on TF1 speaking to FranceInfo, the event will take place without a live audience and with the majority of performances pre-recorded. The announcements of the winners will still be live.

Public voting for the winners is open until December 4.

So who's been shortlisted this year? The NRJ Awards recognise both French and international artists, and regularly attract some of the biggest international names.

Female French artist of the year

Amel Bent,  Aya Nakamura, Camelia Jordana, Carla Bruni, Clara Luciani, Louane, Wjdene

International female artist of the year

Ava Max, Billie Eilish,  Dua Lipa, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Sia, Tones and I 

Male French artist of the year

Amir, Dadju, Gims, Julien Dore, Kendji Girac, M Pokora, Vianney 

International male artist of the year

Harry Styles, Jason Derulo, Justin Bieber, Lewis Capaldi, Shawn Mendes, The Weeknd, 

Breakthrough French artist of the year

Alliel, Hatik, Soolking, Squeezie, Tayc, Wejdene

International breakthrough artist of the year

Doja Cat, Karol G, Master KG, Nea, Tom Gregory, Zoe Wees

French group/duo of the year

Boulevard des airs, Indochine, Tryo, Vitaa and Slimane, 

International group/duo of the year

Black Eyed Peas, BTS, Imagine Dragons, Major Lazer, Maroon 5 One Republic 

French song of the year

Jusqu'au bout Amel Bent  and Imen Es, La fête Amir, Facile Camelia Jordana, Angela  Hatik, Nos Célébrations Indochine, Désolé pour hier soir Tryo feat. Mc Fly and Carlito, Avant toi Vitaa and Slimane

International song of the year

Kings and Queens Ava Max, Ritmo Black Eyed Peas and J Balvin, Physical Dua Lipa, Savage Love Jawsh 685 and Jason Derulo, Tusa Karol G, Before you go Lewis Capaldi,  Jerusalema Master KG, Blinding Lights The Weeknd

French collaboration of the year

Amel Bent and Imen Es (Jusqu'au bout), Bigfo and Oli and Bon Entendeur (Coup de Blues / Soleil), Gims and Sting (Reste), Grand Corps Malade and Camille Lellouche (Mais je t'aime), Lartiste and Carolina (Comme Avant), Soolking and Dadju (Melegim)

International collaboration of the year

Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber (Stuck with U), Black Eyed Peas and J Balvin (Ritmo), David Guetta and Sia (Let's Love), Jawsh 685 and Jason Derulo (Savage Love), Karol G and Nicki Minaj (Tusa), Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande (Rain on me)

Video of the year

Say so Doja Cat, Physical Dua Lipa, Pendant 24h Grand Corps Malade and Suzane, Watermelon Sugar Harry Styles, Nous Juien Dore, Rain on me Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, Donne-moi ton oeur Louane,  A nos héros du quotidien Soprano, Blinding Lights The Weeknd, Ça ira Vitaa and Slimane

DJ of the year

Calvin Harris,  David Guetta, DJ Snake, Kygo, Ofenbach, Regard, Robin Shulz

France's independent record stores: interactive click and collect map

As if recent years haven't been challenging enough for independent record stores, France's Covid-19 lockdown has seen them all forced to close their doors alongside other cultural institutions such as bookstores in what is normally the start of the key pre-Christmas period for most small retail businesses.

It's a major blow, but it's spurred many on to take measures to stay afloat amid the turbulence, and while they're not allowed to open their doors to customers, they are permitted to run a 'click and collect' service that allows them to sell to customers while preserving the sanitary conditions that are currently required. You can order online and pick up the physical disc at the shop.

It's a slender lifeline, but it is better than nothing.

Taking things further, CALIF, the Club Action des Labels et des Disquaires Indépendants Français, developed an interactive map of France showing all the independent record retailers involved in the scheme, allowing you to track down your closes and contact them. 

To those in France it's a quick way you can help out the grassroots outposts of the country's' music industry and help them through a tough time. To those outside France, it's a useful planner for when you're next in the country, amid more favourable times when you can take the time to visit in person.

Fingers crossed they'll still be there.

Mr President: The best is yet to come

Originally released a few years ago, a funky piece from Mr President, AKA Bruno Patchworks Hovart, is an appropriate tune for today. 

We featured it in 2011 when it first came out, and as America goes to the final stage of the election process, we can only hope that better things lie ahead.

This Mr President's manifesto is a vote-winning French 21st century take on 70s US funk, soul and vintage disco. A clear poll winner. 

Lyon-based Patchworks has been involved in a variety of projects over the years and has built a solid grassroots support on dancefloors, swaying voters whose affiliations run to disco, funk, soul and fusion.

Patchworks has released three albums under his Mr President nom de funk so far, the latest  One Night was released in September on Favorite Recordings.  

Whoever gets elected in the USA, it's good to know that there's at least one Mr President who delivers on his promises.

Fingers crossed for all our friends in America - and elsewhere -  that the best really is yet to come!

Arnaud Rebotini: Halloween

"This Party that never happened", writes Arnaud Rebotini posting his version of John Carpenter's Halloween theme on Soundcloud.

With a weekend that saw events, large and small, cancelled or postponed, from family gatherings to nightclub events, for kids or adults, it's something of a poignant reminder of another time.

Rebotini continues: "As our lives today are so much like a bad horror film, too long and boring, and as this year has seen the sacrifice of social and cultural life, I have chosen this Halloween celebration because it is the celebration of youth sublimating the fear of death, but also because it is the symbol of a devouring capitalism where we consume everything and anything without any limit, which leads to nothing but the catastrophe we are living today."

I've always loved his dark electro, as well as his soundtrack work that saw his score for 120 battiments par minuit get international attention and a Cesar award. 

Rebotini has always had the awareness and the means to articulate a situation, and given the dark days we find ourselves in, it feels like he's got the tone right.

On the release of this new track he adds "So through this reworking of John Carpenter's theme, I offer you my version of the soundtrack of the burial of our social, cultural and nocturnal lives."

Arnaud Rebotini · Halloween Theme

Editorial - November 2020

We live in interesting times. With lockdown we've appreciated the importance of culture and the arts more than ever in sustaining us, but at the same time, these areas and the people working in them that make them happen have been hit harder than ever before.

France's latest measures see bookshops and record shops marginalised as inessential, joining the theatres, clubs, concert halls and artists facing an uncertain future. It's always been a precarious existence in the arts, with margins becoming ever tighter and increasing challenges, but it seems the immediate future will essentially be a fight for survival for many.

It's been difficult before, but I can't remember any time that has been as bad as this for arts professionals. I've always believed that music is at the forefront of artistic development, leading the way for TV, cinema, theatre and literature to follow, and sadly that seems to be the case here, with music being hit the hardest and in the most immediate ways. 

Amidst this existential threat, we want to do what we can. Highlighting what's good in French music might not be the biggest blow against a seemingly insurmountable challenge, but ever step makes a difference in a long journey. It sucks, but hopefully we can get through it.

For acts struggling to get the recognition they deserve every bit of publicity can help them connect with a potential audience, and that audience can sustain their career. 

Even promoting established acts can make a difference. Sure, most even in the UK will be familiar with Johnny or Mylene, but the revenue raised by record companies on the bankable stars can keep the books in the black for another year, and can lead to more signings and more opportunities for other acts.

So we'll try to do what we can here. Our overheads are minimal, our reach is increasing as is our audience, and we'll continue to highlight things happening in French music that deserve your attention, whether new releases and developing acts of activity from established names. 

If you're a promoter or want some publicity for an act, just get in touch, we'll do what we can. My inbox is open at johnkilbrideAThotmailDOTcom, just amend the email address to the appropriate format and it will get through.

a bientot

jk