Monthly Archives: September 2013

Lui et Léa

lealui

»It’s the whim of a spoiled kid.« French writer Frédéric Beigbeder (»Mémoires d’un jeune homme dérangé«, »99 francs«) is editorial director of the freshly relaunched LUI, the unmistakably Parisian pendant to Playboy and »Le magazine de l’homme moderne«, as it was called way back in the 60s to 80s. Then, they had Romy Schneider, Mireille Darc, Sylvia Kristel or Jane Birkin. Now, the brand new first volume of the mag, offered for the dumping price of 2,90 Euros, features actress Léa Seydoux, along with a lot of worthwhile reading. And Beigbeder has a new byname you’ve already guessed: L’homme qui amait des femmes.

Cocoboy – La Playmate de Samedi Soir

Alexander von Mehren

  • Posted on 07/09/2013
  • /Under Musique

imagesRemember Tricatel, Bertrand Burgalat’s label? The technicolorized music on this label is the best reference, I’d say, to Alexander von Mehren’s music. From his bio: “Alexander von Mehren is a 29 years old pianist, songwriter and producer from Bergen, Norway. He started playing the piano at the age of four and began receiving classical piano lessons when he turned seven. During his ten years of classical training, von Mehren gradually developed an interest in alternative music and started writing his own compositions, especially inspired by French, German, Italian and British library music, 60s/70s soundtracks, alternative pop à la Stereolab and The High Llamas and the Chicago-based post-rock scene.”
One of the top tracks on AvM’s album is Champs-Elysées. I’m not sure who the girl is that Alex is duetting with, he did not respond to my tweeted question. An educated guess says it’s Nathalie Nordnes. See here.
UPDATE: Alexander did respond and yes, it’s Nathalie. See here

Alexander von Mehren – Champs-Elysées

Riff Cohen

  • Posted on 07/09/2013
  • /Under Musique

Riff CohenGilad SasportaOriental trash pop. Les Calamités, bellydancing. Keren Ann with a mohawk. If your curiosity is tickled by these descriptions, be sure to try Riff Cohen‘s blend of fuzz-drenched, French tales of 1001 Night. She’s from Israel, studied music in Paris and is very proud of her Tunesian roots. Her album’s just out, I missed out on her first single, A Paris earlier. Shame. Riff’s voice is highly charming, her songwriting’s a bit naive or, one could say, close to 60s YeYe. Most songs on Riff’s album are in French, some in Hebrew, other in Arabic. At times, I thought back to Sapho, the Moroccan-French singer who also blended North-African influences with French-oriented pop in the 80s and 90s.
I’m expecting that, because of Riff’s exciting mix of styles and her looks, she could do well outside of France.

Interview in Haaretz HERE. Another nice interview HERE. Video for J’aime HERE

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