Had the distinct pleasure this week of interviewing Jesse Chaton, lead singer of French electro-glam combo Fancy. Not only was the cat funnier and more articulate in his second (or third) language than most American-born artists I've spoken to, but I got to observe his absolutely killer afro up close. "I am part African and Moroccan," he told me, "so I don't have to do anything special to get my hair this way. I just let it grow!"
Now, I'm all for flagrant 'fro display, under any circumstances; but as a rule, I don't feature folks in the Friday 'Fro unless they've made some kind of significant contribution to the worlds of music, sports, politics or pop culture. So despite his fantastic mane, I wouldn't be mentioning Monsieur Chaton here if he and his equally androgynous bandmates hadn't recently come out with Kings of the Worlds, one of the most addictive records I've heard in ages.
The album, which is already out in Europe (but has yet to find a US label or distributor) sounds like a giddy cross between 70s post-glam casualties The Quick and Nick Gilder, and contemporary French electro artists like Daft Punk and Justice. (Chaton actually co-wrote the latter's "D.A.N.C.E."). Kings of the Worlds is uplifting, funny and sleazy in just the right amounts, and it puts me in a fine mood every time I spin it — even during a brutal commute on the L.A. freeways. (It also lends a distinctly cartoonish tinge to everything that happens to be going on outside my windshield.) If Fancy makes it big, it just might restore my faith in humanity. Here's the video for their song, "Seventeen":
Have a great weekend, mon petits choux...
I really enjoyed that. Thanks.
Posted by: david nichols | April 05, 2008 at 01:58 AM