It was in 2004, at the height of the French Touch, that the Parisian collective, led by Marc Collin and Olivier Libaux, released its first album, taking its original concept worldwide: New Wave = Wave Bossa Nova = Nouvelle Vague.
Punk and New Wave “standards” are thus reinterpreted in the dreamy style of 50s and 60s Bossa Nova, with its lush arrangements and entrancing vocals. Nouvelle Vague soon became a global phenomenon. In just a few months, Nouvelle Vague deconstructed the notion of “the cover band” and, supported by some of the most prestigious labels (Peacefrog, Luaka Bop, Rough Trade, Pias), delights an audience that almost forgets the original versions. Alongside singers Camille and Mélanie Pain, Olivier Libaux and Marc Collin create their first live show: a minimal show, with just two unique voices a guitar, a few keyboards and electronic ambience.
A triumphant world tour would follow.
2019.
With five studio albums and extensive global tours under its belt, Nouvelle Vague now celebrates its fifteenth anniversary. The band will be celebrating with an international unplugged tour in 2019, in keeping with the show’s original 2004 incarnation.
Premiered in the UK in June of 2018, Nouvelle Vague’s latest live production finds the band returning to its roots: an acoustic guitar, a few keyboards, a smattering of ambience, and two singers (Mélanie Pain, Elodie Frégé, or Phoebe Killdeer), who interpret the band’s iconic songs.
Nouvelle Vague By Nouvelle Vague directed by Marc Collin, retraces the history of the project, from its genesis to the production of each of the albums, the meetings with the main singers, and their multiple tours to the four corners of the globe.
The film, which culls the band’s archives (concerts, TV shows, personal photo, interviews), reveals the soul and the life of the group, which has revolutionized the concept of ” cover band “. Two albums are about to be released: “Rarities” (rare and bonus tracks) and “Curiosities“.
RARITIES Digital only – 24 tracks – Feb 15th
The “Rarities” album is made up of bonuses and B-sides released on special editions, compilations, 45s and other physical media over the course of these fifteen years, but long out of print. A video to lead track, the cover of New Order’s ‘Bizarre Love Triangle’ drops on Feb 8th
CURIOSITIES Limited 12″ Edition only – 12 tracks – April 22nd
In response to the 2004 debut album, which became an instant classic, Marc Collin and Olivier Libaux experimented with various musical paths. Many songs are thus recorded. The songs that are relevant to each album’s theme are released. But many covers would remain under wraps, while others, although ready for release, were relegated to the vaults. These previously-unreleased recordings are featured on “Curiosities“.
2004 – 2019.
For the last fifteen years, Nouvelle Vague has been resuscitating, sometimes introducing, dozens of songs from the New Wave and Punk repertoires – some quite well known, others almost forgotten.
But the story is far from over. “We’re on a Road To Nowhere, Come on inside. (David Byrne)
Tour 2019
04/20 Dreamland / Margate, Kent, UK
04/21 Junction / Cambridge, UK
04/22 Islington Assembly Hall / London, UK
04/23 Islington Assembly Hall / London, UK
04/25 St. Lukes / Glasgow, UK
04/26 Liquid Rooms / Edinburgh, UK
04/27 Sage 2 / Gateshead UK
04/28 Gorilla / Manchester UK
