I previously put off French music as the equivalent of a Nouvelle Vague film; dramatic, literary, and not as exciting in comparison to Hollywood. But the soulful Charlotte Savary and DJ/producer Wax Tailor helped break that schema and, last Tuesday, the (traditional) French music concert drought broke upon seeing her new music group, Felipecha.
My prior perception of French shows was that of tiny, often smokey cafes or underground jazz clubs featuring music by the likes of the legendary manouche guitarist Django Reinhardt; with people analyzing the music instead of letting it flow through them. I was wrong, of course. Café de la Danse, holding 450 people, is a massive open warehouse venue with a temporary stage floor with theatrical seating climbing the other side. The audience was not like a concert in the States. While the majority were college to early 30s in age, there was a healthy collage of both children and older adults. Another note, the audience is well-dressed, at nearly every show except skewing towards punk, as if they were going out to a restaurant. Once again, the scooter helmets make camera equipment seem like you're carrying an iPod in comparison.
Felipecha sings a jazz-influenced, traditional French music variety. On stage, Franck brushes the snare with snaps of the wrist, while Filipe tugs the upright with ease and class as if it's an electric bass. The band is fronted by Charlotte's warm jazz and Philippe's supporting vocals. Both dominate the stage with playful and, sometimes, dramatic exchanges, a chemistry rarely achieved so fluently. Surprisingly, this translated to the audience as well with joking comments lightly tossed between songs. These breaks, quieter than normal in the States, are void of the whistles and constant calls for specific songs, letting the artist lead instead of being led by the paying audience.
I was impressed. One surprise emphasized another difference between our music and Europe's in general; the infusion of other languages. The set closed with Juanitita, sung entirely in Spanish. The airy, xylophone laced track emphasized that, regardless of understanding or not what's being sung, it's the music that always pulls the listener in. The final track, Un petit peu d'air (A Little Bit of Air), got everyone dancing, holding more of the jazz-influence in letting go towards the end; something akin to our jam bands, but grounded in the manouche era.
Charlotte will be supporting Wax Tailor later this summer in America. Felipecha's album is currently available on iTunes.
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