Rockfort

New in my linklist: Rockfort Online (yes, David and Ludovic from the radioshow of the same name) presenting the best in French music and culture. Kindred spirits, so to speak. Great discovery: Oh La La!

Melanie Pain

So, not only the new Olivia Ruiz album in April, and by AnnaO, but also Melanie Pain. For the uninitiated: the gorgeous singer from Nouvelle Vague. Ok, well, they're ALL gorgeous, but you'll recognise her. First single Helsinki, a duet with Julien Doré, is out now. On My Name (that's the albumtitle) Melanie sings in English and French. What I've heard so far (thanks Alex), this promises to be a brilliant album. Mel's a sweet and tender hooligan, and she proves it.

Melanie Pain & Julien Doré - Helsinki (live video with SKC from Zita Swoon)
Melanie Pain - Tard dans la vie (poem set to music, not on the album)

Ana Pankratoff

Born in Paris, of Russian descent, a dancer, a singer and a big Gainsbourg-fan, Ana Pankratoff calls the moon her biggest inspiration. It took a while before I realised that I'd posted about this beauty before, back when she was calling herself John (see?). Her debut-album was released November 2008. A lyrical snippet: 'Je verse des larmes pour rien et tant pis, si j’oublie des détails/C’est ma biographie de travail/Je suis une amante pas religieuse parfois brûlante ou paresseuse/Je sais faire le lotus/Je collectionne les bonus.' Emotional, you betcha. To be honest, this debutalbum lacks really strong songs, but it's a start. Fille Amère was just released as a single, see video here. More videos here.

Ana Pankratoff - Fille Amere
Ana Pankratoff - Demantibulee

Alex & Graziella

Meteorological spring has begun, and the spring songs pop up like mushrooms. Take this collab between singer-songwriter Alex Rossi, and 80s icon Graziella de Michele. You might know the latter from hits like Pull over blanc (that was covered by Arno) and Cathy prend le train. I love the happy go lucky atmosphere, don't be put off by the title. By the way, friends call Alex 'the Iggy Pop of Michel Delpech-ism', and you Delpech knows a thing or two about the seasons.

Alex Rossi & Graziella de Michele - Je veux bien mourir un jour

Cathy Claret

One grey Monday afternoon you're randomly clicking some links on MySpace, and all of a sudden you bump into this blonde goddess. Born in Nîmes, but relocated to Spain, she's been making records since the eighties, and who you have never heard about. But once you hear Loli-Lolita, you're hooked. That's what happened today, the blonde is called Cathy Claret, and her childlike voice stars over songs with flamenco, bossa nova and gypsy-influences. On almost every album she released (the last one appeared in 2007), there are some French songs, and on her website she calls Gainsbourg an influence. Ofcourse. She worked with Finlay Quaye, Pascal Comelade and Hook Herrara. She has in many ways an unique voice - the only references I can think of are Isabella Antena and Helena Noguerra. See her perform 'Toi' here. I now have her first two albums, but if you can share more recent material, I'd be grateful.

Cathy Claret - Loli-lolita
Cathy Claret - Regarde-moi sourire
UPDATE: two more songs, from later albums:
Cathy Claret - Bulle de savon
Cathy Claret - La joie de vivre

Victoires de la musique

Camille won the prize for best female artist @ yesterdays Victoires de la Musique, France's most prestigious music prize. Other winners: Alain Bashung, BB Brunes, Julien Doré, Arthur H and Rokia Traoré.

Olivia Ruiz

Maks already stated that Marie Pierre Arthur's album is his favourite Filles-cd of the year. Bold move. He might reconsider when he reads what Olivia Ruiz has in store. A new album, featuring collaborations with The Noisettes, Lonely Drifter Karen & Buck 65, who programmed the first single Elle Panique. The album will be released in April, can't wait to hear it. It seems like she dropped the southern French, northern Spanish influences (although she did release a Spanish version of La Femme Chocolat), and maybe will incorporate the Burkina Faso-rappers she worked with on the EP by her brother Toan. Also good to know - all songs are in French.

Olivia Ruiz - Elle panique