The first French band to ever sign with Domino, Francois and the Atlas Mountains are proving that European pop isn't all about hard house and Eurovision.
After years of Euroscepticism, distrust of continentals and generally scoffing at any guitar-based music to ever come out of places like France, Spain and Italy, it finally seems like the British are finding an ear for the musical offerings of their European neighbours.
Whilst dance has had something of a pan-European aspect since the early '90s, rock music has been fiercely Anglo-Saxon almost since its inception. So much so, that for many old timers the attitude has been that it's fine for sissy Europeans to muck about with synths and what not, but it’s totally not alright to play guitars and act all manly. Although a few Scandinavian bands and fringe punk and metal acts have snuck through the net, by and large the result has been that the UK has shielded itself from most of the continent's sonic output.
However, at long last there are signs that the tide might actually be changing. Flipping the dials on my kitchen radio a couple of weeks ago, I came across Frànçois and The Atlas Mountains playing on Radio 1 and, what’s more, he was singing in French! Sounding like Talking Heads, Air and Del Shannon stirred together with more than a few pop hooks, it felt way more fresh and exciting than the usual over-manufactured electro-rap that you usually find lurking on BBC Radio.
The first ever French artist to sign to Domino Records, with his vivid looks, slender body and distinctly Anglophile sensibilities, Frànçois and The Atlas Mountains does have a bit of a leg up when it comes to capturing British hearts and minds, but it’s his music that really does the talking. Perfecting his particular blend of indie pop through tours with the likes of Electralane, Camera Obscura and King Creosote, the songs on his début British release sit elegantly between delicate summer jams and wistful melancholy. What is even more striking is the way that these stylistic references are underpinned by Frànçois’s stark and decidedly mournful vocal style, making ‘E Volo Love’ one of those records with a decidedly end-of-summer vibe. Not something you can bang on at house party, but a record that is hard not to enjoy when it’s coming through your headphones at night.
How does it feel to be the first French act to sign to Domino?
Signing to Domino has made it possible to tour with a full band, to work with a management and promotion team and brings my work to a bigger audience. It is a great label, they really care about music.
How would you describe Frànçois and The Atlas Mountains' sound?
Free, French, furious, felt-like.
There seems to be a rich vein of electronica in your music. How did you get into it?
When I was a teenager there were lots of rave parties in the French countryside where I grew up. As well as being really fun, they got me completely fascinated with Aphex Twin. No one I knew had a computer so it took me ages to understand how to make that music.
Even now I use hardware sampler and effect boxes rather than using computers to make electronic music. It’s certainly a way of making music that I'll never stop doing, I love getting lost in the sound.
Not many French indie bands make it to be that big in the UK – what have we been missing out on?
You missed out on Brigitte Fontaine and Areski, Christophe, Berg Sans Nipple, Dominique A and Katerine. That's about it – you know Air, Daft Punk and the Gainsbourgs, so you're fine.
A lot of English and American bands I have interviewed have always said the crowds in France are a lot better than the crowds in England. Is that something you've noticed? Do you have any theories as to why French kids dance more?
I wouldn't say that. I love the British crowd. They're more open-minded and knowledgeable when it comes to music. Of course British indie kids are very self-conscious and that does stop them from letting go, but at least their ears are tuned to what we do. A lot of the French audience consider our music a bit too weird.
What can we expect from Frànçois and The Atlas Mountains this year? Will you be playing any festivals?
Yes lots, I counted; we're doing 33 festivals across Europe between now and September. In the UK the one we're the most looking forward to is the Fence Away Game on the isle of Eigg in Scotland!
We're also doing Wychwood, Rough Beats, Latitude, Great Escape, Summer Sunday and End of the Road.
Wow. That sounds busy.
Frànçois and The Atlas Mountains will be appearing at this year's Camden Crawl and Apple Cart Festivals. His album ‘E Volo Love’ is out now.
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