| Vocalist, lyricist
(English and French), composer, arranger, producer, guitar/bass
player and keyboardist... those all describe the incredibly talented
Emilie Simon. One of the most accomplished and
cutting-edge female artists in the world, Emilie brings together
her many talents to create uniquely sensual songs that are comprised
of sumptuous and unforgettable sonic dreamscapes. "She is from another
era, an era of beautiful work and melodies as fine as lace,"
said French ELLE this past March, and we couldn't agree more.
Scroll down for Emilie's
interview answers!
As the winner of the Victoire De La Music Award, this French born
talent is one of France's most distinguished artists. With songs
in both French and English, Emilie makes her U.S. debut with the
release of her The Flower Book album on Milan Records,
out November 14th. The 15-track disc is a collection of material,
bringing together highlights from Emilie's two albums released via
Barclay/Universal France - her 2003 self-titled debut Emilie
Simon and Végétal, plus the artist's critically acclaimed
motion picture soundtrack for the worldwide (not U.S. or U.K.) release
of La Marche De L'Empereur (The March of The Penguins) for
which she did the original score.
DEBUT U.S. PERFORMANCES
To celebrate the release in the US, Emilie will entertain
American music audiences at her debut U.S. performances scheduled
for Monday, November 13 at Joe's Pub (425 Lafayette St) in New York
City; Wednesday, November 15 at Temple Bar (1026 Wilshire Blvd)
in Santa Monica, CA; and Thursday, November 16 at the Troubadour
(9081 Santa Monica Blvd) in West Hollywood. An in-store performance
is also planned for Friday, November 17 at Amoeba Music (6400 Sunset
Blvd.) in Hollywood. Set times are below.
We've been told the set list will include the tunes "Song
of the Storm" from the La Marche De L'Empereur soundtrack;
a cover of The Stooges classic "I Wanna Be Your Dog";
"Desert"; the absolutely charming "Flowers"
from EMILIE's Victories De La Music Award-winning Emilie Simon album;
and Dame De Lotus," "Rose Hybride du Thé" and "Fleur
De Saison," all from Végétal--a veritable sonic fairytale whose
songs' common traits were names of flowers (garden or wild), carnivorous
plants, climbing plants, floating blooms or ghost-like trees.
Raves.com/DJfix.com was luck enough to get to ask Emilie ten questions
by email for an exclusive interview! Here are her answers, just
as she typed them...
Jennifer: What is your very first
musical memory?
Emilie: The Beatles albums, I listened to them
very young!
When you were little, what did you answer when people asked
you, "What do you want to be when you grow up?"
Princess or designer for trucks... but in America you have beautiful
trucks.
So... now, what do you want to be when you grow up? ;)
David Bowie
What is the connection for you between flowers and music?
Flowers, Nature, Trees were very inspiring for me: Maybe because
they remind me my roots, the cycles you have to go through in your
life, something deep for me.
What was your first exposure to "electronic" music and why
do you like it?
I discovered electronic music in clubs, but I started to feel really
involved when I discovered Stockhausen, Pierre Schaeffer, Pierre
Henry.
You seem to push instruments to their limit, extracting sounds
from them in often unusual ways, and also use non-instruments to
make sounds that you record. How did this start and why do you do
this?
I like to use things out of their context. It's exiting to look
for something unexpected!
Are there any stories behind any of the songs on "The Flower
Book" that you would like to tell us?
Lotus. This is the story of a flower jealous of a lotus flower
because this one is not buried... but every song has its little
story!
Who are some of the artists you worked with while recording
this album?
I didn't work with other artists. I was completely lost in the
plants world!
What is it like in your studio? (Dark, light, in a basement,
on a rooftop?)
My studio is in a room in my Parisien flat: I love it: It s quite
dark but I feel good inside. It makes me want to play music.
How did you come to be released in the US on Milan Records?
Milan contacted my label in France: We all thought it was a great
idea.
Is there anything else you'd like to say to anyone reading
this?
I am very happy to come and play with my band in the us. So see
you there!
Thank you so much!
US TOUR DATES:
Nov 13 2006 7:00P Joe's Pub - NYC, New York
Nov 15 2006 9:30P Temple Bar - Santa Monica, CA
Nov 16 2006 8:00P The Troubadour - West Hollywood, CA
For more EMILIE SIMON...
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© Raphael Neal
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