We are (still) Charlie

Today we remember the Charlie Hebdo killings, an event that while profoundly shocking was to be only the first act of a tragedy that seems not to have concluded yet.

We remember the 12 victims, those who were doing their jobs when they fell, whether journalist, cartoonist, building worker or police officer.

We also remember that this act of terrorism was intended to snuff out the diversity of our culture, to silence forever voices that disagree with a minority of extremists.

And we remember how they failed.

We remember how the names of the victims were championed, how until then obscure counter-culture heroes like Cabu, Tignus and Wolinski became household names. We remember how the killing of a Muslim police officer brought communities together in mutual respect.

And we remember how communities across the world stood side by side.

It was a dark day in 2015, and there have been dark times since. But we remember that an act that was intended to bring us to our knees brought us to our feet, standing together like never before.

Frédéric Boisseau, Franck Brinsolaro, Cabu, Elsa Cayat, Charb,Philippe Honoré, Bernard Maris, Ahmed Merabet, Moustapha Ourrad, Michel Renaud, Tignous, Wolinski.

Matthieu Chedid: Purple Rain at Cannes

A performance at the Cannes festival by Matthieu Chedid saw a tribute to Prince, with a version of Purple Rain by one of the French artists who was most influenced by him.

Chedid's -M- persona could be seen as inspired by the late star, with his playfulness and humour along with his genre-defying take on music, helped by his apparently effortless musical ability.

Of course, Chedid is a very different artist to Prince, but I reckon he took a few of his ideas and made them his own. He'd certainly not be the only artist to do so.

Chedid's been touring with his family, his last solo studion album was 2012's Îl, which he followed with a live album the following year.

He's just recently back in France following a tour of Asia that saw him play in Hong Kong, China, Korea and Japan.



Mathieu Chedid interprète Purple Rain en... by tuxboard

Christophe Willem: Après toi

A new single by Christophe Willem, with the track Après toi.

It's the third single to be released from his Paraît-il album - his fourth - which came out in December  last year.

The album features songs written by some of France's biggest names, including Carla Bruni and Zazie.

Après toi was written by legendary French songwriter Jean-Jacques Goldman.

Willem was the winner of the fourth edition of Nouvelle Star in 2006. Since then he's had a number one album with his second album Caféine in 2009, 2011's Prismophonic reaching the top three.

The new single comes ahead of the release of a film Les Nuits Paraît-il, documenting his tour, to be shown in cinemas on June 18.

He has festival dates over the summer, and an extensive tour that gets under way in the autumn with two nights at L'Olympia in Paris on November 21 and 22.

Moodoïd: Le Lac D'Or

It's no secret that this blog are big fans of Moodoïd, so we're delighted to see  a new track emerge.

Le Lac D'Or (featuring Melody's Echo Chamber) has Melody Prochet on vocals.

Moodoïd’s Pablo Padovani is of course also a member of Melody's Echo Chamber.

Melody's Echo Chamber are currently working on a new album, a follow up to their 2012 debut and have dates in the USA in May.

Moodoïd’s debut album, Le Monde Möö is according to the Brooklyn vegan website 
 getting a vinyl re-press with some extra tracks.

Moodoïd have got some live dates in France and Belgium, with shows at the Festival Chorus La Défense and at the Art Rock festival in May.

Victoires de la Musique 2015: Who might win

Tonight sees the Victoires de la Musique unfold in Paris, so I thought  a list of who I thought might
win would be in order.

It's not necessarily who I'd like to win in each category, just who I think might swing it.

I reckon it will be a big year for Christine and the Queens, but we'lls ee how it goes.

Male artist
Johnny Hallyday

A strong year for Johnny with the release of Rester vivant and live shows. Personally I think Julien Doré might deserve it but I reckon they'll give this to Jojo.

Female artist
Christine and the Queens

Outstanding year for Christine, hopefully one of several much-deserved awards

Breakthrough album
Indila - Mini World

Massive selling album by an artist who could go on to international success. Would personally prefer The Dø to take this one, but I think they'll got for the more commercial act

Breakthrough act or artist
Benjamin Clémentine

Certainly deserves to win this. 

Best chanson album
Alain Souchon & Laurent Voulzy - Alain Souchon & Laurent Voulzy

Close to call this one, Christine and Calogero are both serious contenders. I think this might go to the old guard though.

Best rock album 
Shaka Ponk - The White Pixel Ape

Again, I think this will go to the more commercially successful act, again I thing The Dø would be worthy winners, even though they might not be 'rock'; enough for many folk.

Best urban album
Black M - Les yeux plus gros que le monde

Rap album with Sexion d'assaut credentials, but with massive crossover popularity.

Best world music album 
Rivière noire - Rivière noire

Best electronic album
Yelle - Complètement fou

Fingers crossed. Guetta might be the obvious one here, being such a big seller, but hopefully Yelle will get what they deserve.

Best original song
Black M - Sur ma route

Another one that's very close to call. All four songs here are impressive. Hip hop is massively popular and this is a hugely likable track that went well beyond his own (massive) fanbase.

Show, concert or tour
Christine and the Queens

Probably Christine's year at the Victoires. 

Best video
Christine and the Queens - Saint Claude

Of the shortlisted videos, probably the one that stands out. 

Dominique A: Au revoir mon Amour

A new track by Dominique A ahead of the release of his new album.

It's got a supremely tasteful and somewhat vertiginous clip to accompany it.

Dominique A is quite simply one of France's best contemporary singer songwriters, his work both modern yet retaining a timeless quality.

This song, like the best of his work, is instantly memorable.

The singer's last album was the 2012 Vers Les Lueurs collection which saw him win a Victoire de la musique award the following year for best male artist of the year.

His new album, his tenth, to be entitled Éléor, is scheduled to be released in March. It will certainly be one of 2015's key releases.

Dominique A has got a series of live dates in France from April, and he plays in Paris at the Grand Rex on May 26.

Festival: Francofolies La Rochelle

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Francofolies La Rochelle festival, an event that sees dozens of  the finest acts in the French music scene playing numerous venues at the French seaside town.

Unlike other festivals in France, Les Francofolies de La Rochelle puts the focus firmly on French acts.

Each year it attracts over 150,000 to the town and the success of the event in La Rochelle over the years led to the establishment of a parallel festival in Montreal and in Spa in Belgium.

The festival takes place over five nights, with the opening night on Thursday featuring a celebration show entitled "Les Copains d'abord", marking the 30th anniversary of the event with a cast including Jacques Higelin, Alain Souchon, , Yannick Noah, Benebar, Catherine Ringer, Zaz, Nolwenn Leroy and many more.

The festival itself gets under way today, and there are opportunities to see on the main stage Tal, Ben l'oncle Soul, Zaz and Christophe Mae, and elsewhere there are other shows including Julien Doré and Owlle.

The second night sees Plaza Fancia, Détroit and Shaka Ponk take to the Grand Scene stage, and at other venues there are the likes of Miossec and Feu! Chatterton.

Sunday night sees Cats on Trees, Casseurs Flowters, IAM and Fauve  at the Grand Scene stage, and elsewhere there are Grand Corps Malade and Natas Loves You.

The final night features Francois and the Atlas Mountains, Gaetan Roussel and Stromae take to the  Grand Scene stage, and other shows elsewhere including Christine and the Queens and Jean-Lous Murat.

In short, a pretty good snapshot of everything that's good in the French music scene at the moment.