Woodkid

Viewed together, the trio of short films form a bridge about legends, heroism, freedom, and adventure that are as musically and visually inspiring as they are dark and foreboding.

Iron (2011)

Run Boy Run (2012)

I Love You (2013)

Or watch all three videos on Woodkid’s HD Vimeo channel.

On most Wednesdays, we showcase a musician who has been rising over the past year or so or has released something new. A place for those from around the world who are making uplifting music. If you would like to be considered for this feature, you should have at least two videos (music video or live performance). Contact us with links and bio.

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Most people know Joe Dassin from The Darjeeling Limited’s end credits

But this is just one of Joe’s great songs. Champs Elysees, Bip Bip,  Joe Dassin – Elle Etait Oh … and who could forget Joe Dassin – Un Garçon Nommé Suzy – A Boy Named Sue! These are reasons why he should be remembered and embraced and added to that list of French singing greats such as Brassens, Dutronc, Hardy, Gainsbourg, Biolay  and Brel.

He was born in New York in 1938, but his family fled to Europe in the 1950’s due to the Hollywood Blacklist (his father was a film maker). In 1964 he was signed to CBS Records (the first French singer to be signed to the label). He released 12 albums until he left in 1976. In 1980 he died of a heart attack. But we have the music to remember him.

Joe Dassin – Bip Bip

I know tons of older songs though.

And I know French music.

Which is great.

But that’s just me.

So I’m sitting there thinking that “We Are Young” is actually the song “Love Is A Battlefield”. Because whenever *I* hear someone say “We are young”, I start saying “heartache to heartache we stand”. Right after that I think it occurred to me that Pat Benatar isn’t a guy, and she doesn’t sound like Freddie Mercury.

And then I was confused.

And so was my brother because he wasn’t sure what I was even talking about.

And that’s what happens when I don’t know the songs on Billboard Top (100 is it?).

Ben L’Oncle Soul, or Benjamin Duterde is a recent favorite of mine. He’s a French (bonus points!) soul singer and songwriter. This song, Soulman, is one that I feel can be appreciated in any language because of the soul and feeling that he brings to it. Enjoy!

Here’s a review I wrote for Electric Banana Magazine, the link to the article and site is below, give it a nosey!

What’s this?

Consisting of DJ Greem, MC 20Syl, DJ Atom and DJ Rfel, C2C are regarded as one of the most talented turntable crews in the entire world. After winning the world DMC Turntable Champions for a record breaking four consecutive years in a row, the quartet finally release their debut full-length album Tetra in the UK in March. After its release in France, where it quickly reached Number 1 on the iTunes album chart, the crew are destined to live up to and surpass their legendary status here in the UK.

And what’s it like?

‘The Cell’ allows the listener to tiptoe into the album, among chimes, flutes and tribal-esque rhythm and beats, until the dirty bassline and haunting gospel choir vocals seep through. The track butters you up and seductively lures you into the song and treasure trove of an album, made even better by the quartets own extensive palette of samples, scratches and vintage strings, guitar, bass and keys, capturing the ‘seventies sound’ they love so much.

Delve deeper into Tetra and each track uncovers another theme, another genre. C2C take us on a path down our musical heritage and bring it right up to the 21st century. From the classic rhythm and blues of ‘Happy’ to deep-south harmonica, jazz, blues and rock and roll of ‘Down The Road’, C2C reawakens the senses.

‘King’s Season’ and ‘Because Of You’ serve as another argument for C2C’s musical genius. Upbeat, fresh and optimistic, these tracks provide a change of direction and build of tension in the album, while Olivier Daysoul’s vocals in ‘Who Are You’ injects an addictive pop sound like that of Outcast.

Gospel percussion, melodic jazz and a looping organ, C2C resurrect the nostalgic sound of soul in ‘Happy’ providing a climatic half-way point in the album. Detroit’s Derek Martin provides beautiful soulful lyrics throughout, while the video mirrors the biblical theatrics.

‘F.U.Y.A’ lets the music do all the talking, not a single word is uttered throughout, but you don’t need one. Both audibly and visually, this track provides a punchy sinister close to the album, while the flute interlude provides a delicate backdrop in the track. The mix of instruments and stop-start production emphasises the importance of each single sound and meshing together such a harmonious song.

‘F.U.Y.A’ rounds up the album, as well as defining C2C itself. The competition circuit’s loss, is definitely the industry’s gain, C2C mix the old with the new and it’s beautiful.

What’s the tracklisting?

1. The Cell
2. Down The Road
3. King’s Season feat. Rita J. & Moogai
4. Because Of You feat. Pigeon John
5. Delta
6. Who Are You feat. Olivier Daysoul
7. Happy feat. Derek Martin
8. Give Up The Ghost feat. Jay-Jay Johanson
9. The Beat
10. Genius feat. Gush
11. Together feat. Ledeunff & Blitz the Ambassador
12. Arcades
13. Le Banquet feat. Tigerstyle, Netik, Rafik, Vajra & Kentaro
14. F.U.Y.A

Can you listen to anything now?

What’s the final verdict?

C2C are renowned in the world of “turntablism”; astonishing their audiences as they mix electronica turntables with bona fide musical instruments, creating a tapestry of electrifying rhythm, blues, soul and jazz. C2C have developed a truly unique performing style and regenerated every influential music genre in the book. Don’t get too comfortable, these guys keep you on your tiptoes.

http://www.electric-banana.co.uk/reviews/album-reviews/c2c-tetra/

The first single from Phoenix’s Bankrupt!, out April 23 in the U.S. and April 22 in the UK via Loyaute/Glassnote, just got a music video. The clip for ”Entertainment”, directed by Patrick Daughters, is a seemingly fun-loving clip that travels from a forest to the club and ends with some blood.

Watch Video.

]]> http://restinginapricity.wordpress.com/2013/03/07/michael-sardou-comme-dhabitude/ Thu, 07 Mar 2013 07:21:43 +0000 CaseyAnn http://restinginapricity.wordpress.com/2013/03/07/michael-sardou-comme-dhabitude/ http://esotericalembic.wordpress.com/2013/03/06/diurnal-aural-experiences-gojiras-the-axe-from-lenfant-sauvage-2012/ Wed, 06 Mar 2013 16:00:35 +0000 Buer http://esotericalembic.wordpress.com/2013/03/06/diurnal-aural-experiences-gojiras-the-axe-from-lenfant-sauvage-2012/ ]]> http://myfiveromances.wordpress.com/2013/03/07/sydney-goes-gallic-hear-those-fraussie-accents/ Wed, 06 Mar 2013 15:45:39 +0000 Bernard O'Shea http://myfiveromances.wordpress.com/2013/03/07/sydney-goes-gallic-hear-those-fraussie-accents/ http://inbetweenthespeakers.wordpress.com/2013/03/03/french-playlist/ Sun, 03 Mar 2013 14:28:04 +0000 inbetweenthespeakers http://inbetweenthespeakers.wordpress.com/2013/03/03/french-playlist/ I’m off to Dijon on a French exchange later this month, so it seems appropriate preparation to post some of my favourite French songs to get me in the mood:

Francoise Hardy – Ton Meilleur Ami 

Isabelle Pierre – Le Temps Est Bon 

Jacques Brel – Le Cheval

Edith Piaf – La Foule 

Ben L’Oncle Soul – Petite Soeur 

Jacques Brel – Les Bourgeois 

Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg – Je T’aime,… Moi Non Plus

The music is ethereal. The animation is beautiful and moving. I love that this little guy (girl?) is aided along the way by a wonderful array of characters.

Every time I watch this, I wish it would continue…to let us see the series of adventures awaiting this little one.

Happy Friday to you!

Special thanks to EPH for sharing this with me.

But.. I’m more concerned with the amazing-ness that is her music (particularly her vocal paring with Serge Gainsbourg). Rendez-vous is the only album I’ve dived into yet, but there are so many things to love about that album alone.

1. The mix of French and English songs. The French songs are instantly relaxing to me, mostly because they remind me of what an amazing time I had in France over the summer, and the refreshing reminder that different cultures (particularly European) really know how to enjoy and get the most out of life.

2. Their voices. Serge and Jane are an incredible combination.

3. Decide for yourself here.

Well said. There’s just something about the French.. they seem to get everything right (or at least in the spectrum of fashion, music & food)

Marie Mai – Jamais Ailleurs

La douceur de tes soupirs
Sur la conscience
Je peins mon avenir
Sur ta transparence

Et j’écrirai sur ta peau
Tous les mots les plus doux
Tatoués de bas en haut
À l’encre de nous

L’avenir nous supplie
Pour que tout recommence

Ils ont eu mes drames
Ma douleur
Mais c’est toi
Qui as mon coeur
Et il n’ira jamais ailleurs
Ils ont pris mes larmes
En voleurs
Mais c’est toi
Qui as mon coeur
Et il n’ira jamais ailleurs

Marcher sur un fil
Au-dessus de mes peurs
Un pied dans le vide
L’autre en apesanteur

J’ai dessiné des châteaux
Sur un long passé flou
J’ai dressé mon chapeau
Au premier rendez-vous

Mes nuits en tons de gris
Ont pris ta couleur

Ils ont eu mes drames
Ma douleur
Mais c’est toi
Qui as mon coeur
Et il n’ira jamais ailleurs
Ils ont pris mes larmes
En voleurs
Mais c’est toi
Qui as mon coeur
Et il n’ira jamais ailleurs

Jamais ailleurs
Jamais ailleurs

J’écrirai sur ta peau
Tous les mots les plus doux
Tatoués de bas en haut
À l’encre de nous

Ils ont eu mes drames
Ma douleur
Mais c’est toi
Qui as mon coeur
Et il n’ira jamais ailleurs
Ils ont pris mes larmes
En voleurs
Mais c’est toi
Qui as mon coeur
Et il n’ira jamais ailleurs

Ils ont eu mes drames
Ma douleur
Mais c’est toi
Qui as mon coeur
Et il n’ira jamais ailleurs

Marie-Mai – Anywhere Else

The sweetness of your sighs
On my conscience
I paint my future
On your transparency

And I’ll write on your skin
All of the sweetest words
Tattoo up and down
To ink ourselves

The future begs us
To begin everything again

They had my dramas
My pain
But it’s you
Who has my heart
And it won’t go anywhere else
They took my tears
By stealing them
But it’s you
Who has my heart
And it won’t go anywhere else

Walk on a wire
Above my fears
One foot in the air
The other weightless

I drew castles
In a long, hazy past
I tipped my hat
To my first meeting

My nights in shades of gray
Took your colour

They had my dramas
My pain
But it’s you
Who has my heart
And it won’t go anywhere else
They took my tears
By stealing them
But it’s you
Who has my heart
And it won’t go anywhere else

Anywhere else
Anywhere else

I’ll write on your skin
All of the sweetest words
Tattoo up and down
To ink ourselves

They had my dramas
My pain
But it’s you
Who has my heart
And it won’t go anywhere else
They took my tears
By stealing them
But it’s you
Who has my heart
And it won’t go anywhere else

They had my dramas
My pain
But it’s you
Who has my heart
And it won’t go anywhere else

Initially a drummer for the band, Julia made the move to the front of the stage before the four-piece released debut album ‘Blind Scenes’ a decade after their formation. The French act return with second album ‘No More Heroes’ after their debut pleasantly stunned us with a fresh yet unexpected transition to differing musical avenues.

This second attempt follows on from where that exceptional debut left off and builds on their cold retro sound with extra twinges of gothic rock. ‘No More Heroes’ isn’t merely a gorgeous, gothic rock affair though; it’s wrapped in silky dark romanticism, instilled with teary dark-wave subtleties and spattered with a post-punk edge that elevates the listener into an entirely new world of beautiful sadness.

‘Hologram’ might be one of the slower tracks of the bunch, but it’s one of the strongest. There’s a slithering, almost dirty, Badseeds feel to the bass-line, except it’s coated with a dreamy Bauhaus-like synth and perfected with hypnotic and echoing wah-wah effects. Vocally, what’s great about Julia is the fact he can reach low to hit the deeper, baritone notes and still make a seemingly effortless transition into some higher notes with Robert Smith-like (The Cure) quality to them. His icy vocalising is the source of Soror Dolorosa’s intimate, personal and sensitive atmosphere. ‘Motherland’ is a track Cutting Crew only wished they could have been good enough to make in the mid-‘80s, while ‘Wormhole’ has that distinguished, reflective French sound in the mesmerising guitar picking; the kind that you can hear coming through in acts like Alcest, Les Discrets and even Italian post-rockers Arctic Plateau. However, the difference is in the delivery and Soror Dolorosa cloak it in a sombre, dark-wave ambience and give it that extra bit of mascara-smudged, gothic melancholy. A very strong second release makes Soror Dolorosa an exciting revivalist in cold-wave music.

8/10

Julia Louis-Dreyfus in Picture Paris

French rockers Phoenix have been hyping up their new album ‘Bankrupt!’ for over a year now and we finally have the first single from this! Titled ‘Entertainment’ the track was released with this lyric video.

Listen to “Entertainment” on SNAP!

Yes, 20 songs to get your juices flowing with your lover or yourself this Valentine’s season.  I have a remarkable taste in music, so this playlist is amazing. Basically, I compiled Mrs. Robinson’s favorite playlist. This is really it. Side note: I’m totally weirded out by the cougar thing, so please don’t make any assumptions.

The playlist is primarily composed of French music (of course) and has got some 50′s soul. Perfect, I know.

Anyways, this playlist will go great along side a martini, glass of wine or whiskey and will help you wind doooooown. This can be your Valentine’s Day plan!

Lovely French version of Needles and Pins