La vie en rock - the best French music, how Irish acts are getting on in France, and other Parisian pop/rock reports from CLUAS.com's lad in Seine. http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/BlogId/5/Default.aspx en-US webmaster@cluas.com Sat, 17 May 2008 03:25:12 GMT Sat, 17 May 2008 03:25:12 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss Blog RSS Generator Version 3.3.0.16726 Like clockwork: The electro pair are causing controversy with the video for 'Stress' - seven minutes of urban violence. http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/620/Default.aspx http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/620/Default.aspx#Comments http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Default.aspx?tabid=80&EntryID=620 Thu, 15 May 2008 19:00:36 GMT 0 http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/DesktopModules/Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=620 The Don Quixote of alt-rock played in Paris last night - next stop Ireland, for shows in Dublin, Belfast and Galway this weekend. Let's find out a little more about him (and a bit too much about your blogger). http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/604/Default.aspx http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/604/Default.aspx#Comments http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Default.aspx?tabid=80&EntryID=604 Thu, 08 May 2008 14:42:33 GMT 4 http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/DesktopModules/Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=604 The Israeli-born, Dutch-raised, Paris-matured, New York-dwelling singer will be at Crawdaddy on 21 June: the same date as France's national music day. Her albums are quiet, but she can rock out live, as proved by her performance of 'Lay Your Head Down' at a recent French awards show. http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/597/Default.aspx http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/597/Default.aspx#Comments http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Default.aspx?tabid=80&EntryID=597 Sun, 04 May 2008 18:25:38 GMT 2 http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/DesktopModules/Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=597 ...and we're not digging it. The greatly-anticipated new album from the French vocaliser is a disappointment: too much self-consciousness, not enough songwriting, and some graceless slagging of other singers. What a pity. http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/581/Default.aspx http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/581/Default.aspx#Comments http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Default.aspx?tabid=80&EntryID=581 Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:59:09 GMT 1 http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/DesktopModules/Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=581 They're the Dublin folk-rockers who've been touring around France this last month as support to Kill The Young, that's who! They'll be back in Dublin very soon for a few shows: until then you can watch them playing on a balcony above Dame Street. http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/578/Default.aspx http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/578/Default.aspx#Comments http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Default.aspx?tabid=80&EntryID=578 Sun, 27 Apr 2008 14:32:29 GMT 8 http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/DesktopModules/Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=578 Prix de lark: Yet another big French festival on the first weekend of July - this time, at a famous old racetrack in Paris. Visiting acts include Vampire Weekend, The Gossip and (appropriately) Foals, while the local favourites include Cocoon, Rhesus, Vitalic, Yael Naim, Laurent Garnier and Yelle. http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/577/Default.aspx http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/577/Default.aspx#Comments http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Default.aspx?tabid=80&EntryID=577 Sat, 26 Apr 2008 17:26:34 GMT 3 http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/DesktopModules/Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=577 In our new series, we show you the best of Paris via music videos made here. First, the most famous Paris landmark of all, in the video for Duran Duran's 'A View To A Kill'. http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/572/Default.aspx http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/572/Default.aspx#Comments http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Default.aspx?tabid=80&EntryID=572 Sun, 20 Apr 2008 15:42:29 GMT 0 http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/DesktopModules/Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=572 Bell IV: The eastern French city of Belfort, historically a battle-ground, is today home to one of the country's biggest music festivals. The likes of CSS, dEUS, Vampire Weekend, The Gossip and loads more will be there on 4-6 July. French acts on the bill include Camille, Sebastien Tellier and prochaine-grande-chose The Dø: watch the video for 'On My Shoulders'. http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/571/Default.aspx http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/571/Default.aspx#Comments http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Default.aspx?tabid=80&EntryID=571 Sat, 19 Apr 2008 18:43:13 GMT 3 http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/DesktopModules/Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=571 In the first of our 2008 holiday brochure series, a three-day festival right in the centre of a small northern French town. Check out the impressive first night: Chemical Brothers, Underworld, Justice and Boys Noize! Also appearing: Radiohead, Mika, The Wombats and Sigur Ros - "and more"! http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/569/Default.aspx http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/569/Default.aspx#Comments http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Default.aspx?tabid=80&EntryID=569 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 18:24:19 GMT 5 http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/DesktopModules/Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=569 Another CLUAS-approved album by the Riviera shoegazer, who's be in Dublin later this month. At the Andrew's Lane Theatre! Next thing, they'll be blowing up the Pillar. http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/565/Default.aspx http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/565/Default.aspx#Comments http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Default.aspx?tabid=80&EntryID=565 Tue, 08 Apr 2008 20:26:36 GMT 6 http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/DesktopModules/Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=565 France's greatest ever pop star would have been 80 today. We look back on the life of Serge Gainsbourg - and find a topical song for today's Irish political revelation. http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/563/Default.aspx http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/563/Default.aspx#Comments http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Default.aspx?tabid=80&EntryID=563 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 12:16:58 GMT 0 http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/DesktopModules/Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=563 The U-Bends: You can have their album online for free. Spend a penny in France this summer, though, and you'll be helping Radiohead stage a unique eco-friendly concert powered by converted biomass - in other words, chemically-treated sewage. Mmmmm. http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/560/Default.aspx http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/560/Default.aspx#Comments http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Default.aspx?tabid=80&EntryID=560 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 06:19:26 GMT 0 http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/DesktopModules/Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=560 The bells! The bells! Our fellow 'Soundings'-lovers will be supporting Nada Surf on their upcoming European tour, starting with three April concerts in France. http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/559/Default.aspx http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/559/Default.aspx#Comments http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Default.aspx?tabid=80&EntryID=559 Sun, 30 Mar 2008 17:26:25 GMT 2 http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/DesktopModules/Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=559 Welcome to the world of Mylène Farmer, the reclusive Quebec singer and 'French Madonna' who's France's biggest female pop star. Her music is bland and forgettable but she does her best to make up for it (banned videos, explicit lyrics, deranged fans). Here's a song you won't be hearing on Irish radio anytime soon: a not-too-bad single called 'F*** Them All'. All this smut and swearing is really unlike us, you know. http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/558/Default.aspx http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/558/Default.aspx#Comments http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Default.aspx?tabid=80&EntryID=558 Fri, 28 Mar 2008 21:38:29 GMT 0 http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/DesktopModules/Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=558 Photos and other visual work by the iconic US rocker feature in a new exhibition at the Fondation Cartier in Paris. Smith will also perform at the centre as part of a concert series to complement the stuff on the walls - Kevin Shields will make a contribution. http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/557/Default.aspx http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/557/Default.aspx#Comments http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Default.aspx?tabid=80&EntryID=557 Thu, 27 Mar 2008 21:20:40 GMT 0 http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/DesktopModules/Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=557 My lovely horse: Your blogger loves Paris in the springtime (and all year round), but we're also dreaming of the French countryside. Here's the song that's making us dream: 'Paris De Loin' by Poney Express. http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/552/Default.aspx http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/552/Default.aspx#Comments http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Default.aspx?tabid=80&EntryID=552 Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:07:32 GMT 1 http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/DesktopModules/Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=552 The French electronica legend is performing his classic 'Oxygène' album at the National Concert Hall in Dublin tonight and tomorrow night. Here's a video for a piece of music you should recognise. http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/546/Default.aspx http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/546/Default.aspx#Comments http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Default.aspx?tabid=80&EntryID=546 Tue, 18 Mar 2008 10:17:43 GMT 4 http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/DesktopModules/Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=546 The annual alt-music get-together takes place in this week. French acts appearing in Austin include Digitalism and Herman Dune [Are you sure about this? - Ed.]. Okay, so the Frenchness of many of the Gallic contingent is questionable. Ironically, one of the genuine French acts playing in Texas is The Rodeo - watch 'I'm Rude'. http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/541/Default.aspx http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/541/Default.aspx#Comments http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Default.aspx?tabid=80&EntryID=541 Wed, 12 Mar 2008 14:09:34 GMT 0 http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/DesktopModules/Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=541 Victoire huge-o: Justice, Yael Naim, Feist (!) and Vanessa Paradis were among the winners at France's annual music award show. But look: there's Daft Punk! In the audience! Nominated for a prize! And wearing rubber headgear! What'll they say and do if they win? You can watch for yourself - along with a fantastic live performance from Keren Ann. http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/539/Default.aspx http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/539/Default.aspx#Comments http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Default.aspx?tabid=80&EntryID=539 Mon, 10 Mar 2008 21:04:57 GMT 0 http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/DesktopModules/Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=539 Tough times in Paris for some of our compatriots. Unperturbed by the bad vibes, up pops a Waterford singer-songer for a support slot in the French capital this Sunday. Here's Declan de Barra singing 'Throw Your Arms Around Me on Irish television. http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/537/Default.aspx http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Blogs/French_Letter/tabid/80/EntryID/537/Default.aspx#Comments http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Default.aspx?tabid=80&EntryID=537 Sat, 08 Mar 2008 13:32:12 GMT 0 http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/DesktopModules/Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=537