Frères Sourires (8): Vincent Delerm

"I see Vincent growing up. He's just turned eight. I know a little how he'll turn out when he tenderly tells us: 'Later on, I'm going to be a postman. That way I'll see you every morning!' And then he bursts into tears... " This is how Phillipe Delerm describes his son in one of his books. Daddy Delerm is a famous writer in France, but his son (born in 1976) certainly made a name for himself too. He did not become a postman, but a singer/songwriter, although it took a while before he was caught on record. The literature-student and Truffaut-devoté Vincent Delerm made his solo stage debut in 1998, but his first untitled record was released in 2002. It sold 400,000 copies, a complete surprise to everyone. Delerm feels music is on the crossroads of cinema, writing and the stage.
Vincent likes nostalgic namedropping: on his debut actress Fanny Ardant, filmmaker J-L Trintignant and singer Irene Jacob are referred to. The latter sings on Delerms second album, the baroque Kensington Square, on which former classmates, Modiano and American rockartists Veruca Salt and Frank Black are immortalised. Les Piqûres d'Araignée (spider bites) is Delerm's latest offering (Steffi Graf gets mentioned), and more lighthearted. His singing is less 'burst-into-tears-any-minute', although he's still no Céline Dion-style belter - good for him.

Vincent Delerm - Fanny Ardant et Moi (from Vincent Delerm)
Vincent Delerm, Keren Ann & Dominique A - Veruca Salt & Frank Black (from Kensington Square)
Vincent Delerm - Les Jambes de Steffi Graf (from Piqûres)
Vincent Delerm - Sous les Avalanches (from Piqûres)
Vincent Delerm & Lhasa - L'échelle de Richter (from a Tôt Ou Tard-compilation)