PopLife's French Invasion: A Quick Word with Yelle

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home > interviews > PopLife's French Invasion: A Quick Word with Yelle

October 5, 2008 2:24 PM
by Marcos Colón

What better way to rise to fame and gain notoriety than producing a song dissing a hip hop artist. Although it seems like a risky move, it’s not if you’re Yelle. Coming on to the French music scene in 2005 with her MySpace track Short Dick Cuizi (later to be finalized and renamed Je Voux Te Voir, Yelle is now considered France’s answer to M.I.A. Her debut album, Pop-Up, has received considerable praise, with its electropop driven beats and playful schoolyard hooks.

CoolJunkie recently caught up with Yelle before her anticipated show for PopLife and chatted about the influences on her debut album, what Miami can expect out of the show and what’s in store for her for the remainder of the year.

CoolJunkie: How have you been lately?

Yelle: Tonight I feel tired cause today was a long journey of promotion in Mexico City. It was cool to meet people here, I am very excited to think about tomorrow's show!

CJ: When it comes to your debut album, Pop Up, where did you draw inspiration from for your songwriting?

Yelle: I co-write all the songs with GrandMarnier, it's important to know it. It's all about friends, parties, sex, death (yes!), sport, dance... it's all about life! This is the easiest inspiration actually!

CJ: There's a strong electro element on some of your tracks like, Je Veux Te Voir. What are some electro bands or even DJs that you admire out there?

Yelle: I'm a big fan of Daft Punk cause I discovered electronic music with "Homework" but I'm also a big lover of the Crookers for example, they are the new dance generation! I'm not a purist and most of the time I don't remember the names of the DJ's or bands.

CJ: What do you think is the major difference between the music scene in France compared to what we have here in the States?

Yelle: I don't know really, because I just know the mainstream US scene, mostly rap, and rock. But I guess there is a huge country scene that I don't know at all!

CJ: Who are some American artists that you would like to work with?

Yelle: Pharell Williams

CJ: Would you ever record an album in English? You speak very good English. Did you ever think of recording Pop-Up in English?

Yelle: Oh no my English is very bad! For the moment no cause it's very important for us to sing in French. If we translate a future album, we will do a real concept, like translating it in 10 languages!

CJ: What are some of the musical influences that have had an impact on your music?

Yelle: Daft Punk of course but Cindy Lauper, Lio, Depeche Mode, Blur, etc...

CJ: You'll be in Miami soon playing at Poplife, which is one of the longest running parties here. What can everyone here in Miami expect from Yelle?

Yelle: I hope the people are ready to have a cool night with us, be ready to dance, have fun, scream and jump!

CJ: What are your plans for the remainder of the year?

Yelle: We are on tour until the end of the year. Then we’re gonna have a rest with our families (I miss my dog!) and work seriously on the second album.

Click here to hear more from Yelle.