this interview rolled in a day late to preview the show at 930 club, but we love to look and listen to Yelle SO MUCH, we're still running it as a feature. Deal? Deal!-ed
I am hard pressed to think of any French rock groups that were a) really good and b) gained any sort recognition in the UK or US. But for some reason, the French have always been brilliant with electronic music. From the space disco of Cerrone, to the hushed cold wave of Antena, to the internationally renowned pulse of Daft Punk, the French continue to push the envelope in the sound and presentation of dance music.
And it doesn’t seem as though their influence is on the wane. During the last few years, the teenagers who grew up loving Daft Punk are now hip twentysomethings. Among those is Yelle (nee Julie Budet), a 25 year-old Breton whose career took off after she posted a few tracks on MySpace. She gained further notoriety when she became involved in a lyrical feud with Cuiziner, of French hip-hop group TTC. But drama or no drama, she is certainly making a name for herself.
And so, without further ado: She’s young, she’s hip, and she’s French! Meet, Yelle
I’m not sure if your album is available in the states yet, but I do believe that most of your fans in the states heard about you through MySpace. Do you think that the use of MySpace and social networking is more important than the physical sale of albums?
Yes, it's available in the USA! Astralwerks is my label here! But to answer your question, Myspace is now ultra important, everybody spends their time on the internet!
What is your daily routine like when you’re on tour?
Well, my first tour in the US was the one we organized around Coachella festival. I don't have really a routine. I am just trying to eat well, not too many hamburgers! But I like to adapt myself to the countries we play in; it's nice to change habits.
Would you mind explaining your beef with the group TTC? Most of our readers have never heard of them, and one of your breakout songs “Je Veux Te Voir” is directed towards them.
TTC is a French rap group, with kind of fun "pimp" lyrics. My song, “Je Veux Te Voir,” is an answer to those kinds of lyrics. (But it’s done) in a funny way. There’s no real diss.
Who are your influences? I’ve read that you really like Rage Against the Machine.
I love and I still love a lot of different music. Yes, RATM was one of my favorite bands, and GrandMarnier is a RATM fan number one. But my mind is open to everything, hardcore and folk included!
When I was living in Paris, I used to frequent a bar called Truskel (located on Rue Feydeau, near the Grand Boulevards metro). Have you ever been there? I think it would be funny if I’d bumped into pre-fame.
I have never been to Truskel but I kind of know what that club is about because Gros, my friend and PR, used to go there several times a month.
What is your favorite bar in Paris, then?
My favorite bar is not in Paris but in St Brieuc, it's called the 1701.
I wrote a criticism of Justice’s “Stress” a few months ago. Do you believe that they deliberately placed racist imagery into that video?
Mmm, I know what Justice wanted to do with that video, I know them a bit, it's all about aesthetic and provocation, like their logo. I don't like that video at all, they are using codes they don't know, just so they can feel like bad boys. I prefer when they do what they know best, illustrations.
How do you explain the growing popularity of French electronic music in Anglophone countries?
I think France is well situated between German techno, English pop, and American production, maybe France is that roundabout!
What kind of stuff do you usually request on your pre-show rider?
Kinder Country, San Pelegrino, and a good bottle of red wine !!
What do you miss most about France?
I miss my family and my dog. And baguettes!
we hope you saw Yelle last night.
http://www.myspace.com/iloveyelle
God loves a cheerful giver.
"I’m not sure if your album is available in the states yet"
Nothing else needs to be said.
I'm pretty sure everyone in the audience fell in love with her last night.
Great interview Pat!
I'm so tired.
message from Dakota this night/morning:
Ok... It's 4am and I am currently in the presence of both Libby and Jason... All I'm gonna say is, my pictures of Yelle from today/tonight are ridiculous... And it would be a shame to run the feature without them, I'm just sayin.
RIDICULOUS.
So-everyone stay tuned for that.
Hater
Sorry about my lack of research / fact checking. But why complain? She pointed out my error. Geez. Get a life.
I'd like to see you send out a grammatically correct email interview in French.
bravo, tu parles français.
is that from your time spent living in paris? never mind saint-brieuc, let's talk about YOU.
sure is a lot of content in this interview!
Academic Qualifications:
Universite de Nice-Sophia Antipolis
Certificat of French Language
August 1999 and June 2003
University of Maryland @ College Park
BA, French Language and Literature
May 2004
Work Experience:
Teacher's assistant at
College Montesquieu and College Paul Eluard
Evry, France
Sep 2004-May 2005.
Ferme ta sa gueule de merde.
-Colonel K
This show was hot. Yelle is hot.
More action:
http://auralstates.com/2008/10/photos-yelle-a-peek.html
http://auralstates.com/2008/10/interview-yelle.html
Dont bother responding to La Haine, patrick. Tho I am a bit disappointed you didn't figure out the location of the library or whether she has the overhead projector. I need answers!
I'm confused?
t'as beaucoup de choses à prouver!
tu parles bien, mais (selon l'interview) ta paresse est évident.
Hater puts the dick in eidetic!
I can really hear the RATM influence...
BAISEZ VOUS JE NE FERAI PAS CE QUE VOUS ME DITES
Until someone shuts off the bamatron -- http://translate.google.com/translate_t#
Why does everyone hate on Patrick so much when Svetlana is such an easy target?
she is marvelous.
(fast forward to the last quarter for yelle).was so sad to miss the 930 club show after seeing a small preview at wmuc. check out wmucradio.com to hear an acoustic set and interview.
wouldn't it be "niquez vous, je ferai pas...."
Thanks for the shoutout, Laura! Here is a link to just the interview:
She so cute. Great show last night!
Truskel - oh dear.
Oh, and yes Shannon, I think it goes without saying that EVERYONE at 930 last night fell in love with her. I'm not sure how one couldn't.
@ lol-c'est dommage que TA PARESSE soit évidenTE
oh haters...