By aidan on Saturday, November 29, 2008Some quite-decent shouty alt-rock from the west of France - you can catch Papier Tigre live in Cork and Dublin this weekend. Alternatively, listen to some of their tracks and watch them on TV right here. Read More »
|
By aidan on Sunday, November 23, 2008French indiefolktronica that's gaining a cult following in London - John & Jehn have just released a rather fine debut album. The single '20L07'; watch and listen. Read More »
|
By aidan on Tuesday, November 18, 2008Brimful of Asa: a surprise winner of the 2008 Prix Constantin - the world-pop of a Franco-Nigerian singer-songer in English and Yoruba. Read More »
|
By aidan on Sunday, November 16, 2008Connect four-on-the-floor: Straight out of Rouen, here's the latest in disco-tastic French indie-pop. From an album named after one of your childhood toys (not Buckaroo or Subbuteo, though), here's Tahiti 80 with 'All Around', a song so radio-friendly that if you hold it up to your ear you can hear the traffic news. Read More »
|
By aidan on Friday, November 14, 2008The first new release by Noir Désir, French rock's most-loved band, since the conviction and release of their charismatic lead singer. Two tracks of pompous political sludge: business as usual, then. Read More »
|
By aidan on Tuesday, November 04, 2008This week's Paris concert by Glen and Marketa has us (very very briefly) considering buskers in the French capital, before bringing you the latest Take Away Show - live from Place de la Bourse, it's Bloc Party and their version of Jeff Buckley's 'Hallelujah'. Followed by 'Wonderwall'. Read More »
|
By aidan on Sunday, November 02, 2008The catchiest alt-pop radio hit in France at the moment, from a Clermont-Ferrand three-piece. Here's 'Nos Souvenirs' by Quidam. Read More »
|
By aidan on Saturday, November 01, 2008This is the end: On the day that France remembers its deceased, we stroll around the famous Paris graveyard. We'll be kissing Oscar Wilde, rubbing a French journalist's groin and listening to a violinist serenade the (literally) heartless Chopin. And we'll also visit Jim, man. Read More »
|
By aidan on Thursday, October 30, 2008Modes and rockers: The fashion victims of Paris have hit upon a new look - skinny jeans, Ramones T-shirts and Converse runners. They're also visiting the live music venues, which are becoming the hip nightspots of the French capital. Is this just a passing fad, or will French bands reap the rewards? Here's Housse de Racket with their current airplay hit, 'Oh Yeah'. Read More »
|
By aidan on Sunday, October 19, 2008Two notable French acts at Dublin's electro-fest next weekend; legendary DJ Laurent Garnier and synth-shoegazer M83. The latter's single 'Kim And Jessie' is one of the best tracks of 2008 - here's its rollerskating video. Read More »
|
By aidan on Thursday, October 16, 2008The cider house rules: some catchy disco-pop from the foothills of the Alps. Here's 'Radio' by a Grenoble duo who aren't ashamed of loving Boney M. Read More »
|
By aidan on Thursday, October 09, 2008The 10 nominees have just been announced for the Prix Constantin, France's annual award for best album. Let's look through the contenders and try to pick a winner (i.e. jinx our clear favourite). Read More »
|
By aidan on Tuesday, October 07, 2008Some fine new French retro-tronica recalls the 1980s Gallic precursor of the Internet. Here's Minitel Rose and the video for 'Magic Powder'. Read More »
|
By aidan on Saturday, October 04, 2008More of the same from the follicularly-flush French folkies. But that's a good thing, non? Here's the latest confection of honey-sweet heartbroken acoustica from Herman Dune, 'My Home Is Nowhere Without You'. Read More »
|
By aidan on Monday, September 29, 2008I capture the castle: More poor form from the French capital's football team, losing at home to humble Grenoble. Meanwhile, your blogger defies the right-wing PSG ultras and takes the home terrace. What a guy. To mark the event, here's Ravel's 'Bolero'. Read More »
|
By aidan on Wednesday, September 24, 2008Ooh la la, me hearties! The famous Paris floating venue has shed its pirate image and gone back to just being a boat with gigs in it. Oh well. The Mighty Stef is playing there this Sunday, though. Read More »
|
By aidan on Monday, September 15, 2008The main artery of the famous Left Bank, the Boulevard Saint Germain and its surrounding area was home to people like Django and Miles and Serge. Drawing on that illustrious heritage, here's some modern electronica from an act named after the place itself. Read More »
|
By aidan on Sunday, September 07, 2008 Âme soeur: Some fine Gossip-esque funk-rock from six French ladies with a taste for the playfully provocative. Well, they're called Pussydelic. They're getting attention for their song "Dick For A Brain". And it's from their EP "Six, Sex And Sun". May contain swearing and scenes of derriere-kicking attitude. Read More »
|
By aidan on Wednesday, August 20, 2008Vivement dimanche: Dublin’s monthly musical rendez-vous is back! New venue… and a new day of the week. Read More »
|
By aidan on Tuesday, August 19, 2008Brittany spared! Incredibly, endangered French alternative music festival La Route du Rock shifts its ticket backlog and looks to have seen off its financial problems for the time being. A surge of interest in the Icelandic headliners is one of the factors. Live from La Route du Rock, watch Sigur Ros save the day. Read More »
|
By aidan on Sunday, August 17, 2008Honour Blackman: In which your Paris correspondent has to come all the way back to sunny Eire just to hear some lovely French-style pop. From 'The Glove Thief', here's 'Eyes Closed' by Carly Sings. Read More »
|
By aidan on Monday, August 11, 2008Straight outta rockin’ Clermont-Ferrand, it’s more of that city’s lovely folk-pop sound. Naming yourself after a Dylan song is a bit extreme as penance, though. Read More »
|
By aidan on Monday, August 11, 2008Brittany fears: Only days before it opens, prestigious French indie festival La Route du Rock is rumoured to have around half its tickets still unsold. The organiser has admitted to financial problems. And the festival's website features a begging letter asking music fans for donations. Read More »
|
By aidan on Sunday, August 10, 2008The current champion of the French airwaves is an Australian ex-model with an Irishman’s name and a catchy English-language tune. Start getting used to this: it’s Micky Green with ‘Oh’. Read More »
|
By aidan on Friday, August 08, 2008Abroad thoughts from home, instead of covering the tradfest in Brittany this week. Watch the Irish highlight of last year’s Interceltique festival, a live performance from Sinead O’Connor. Read More »
|