Space.

My first attempt at video editing. Seven years ago, I used to create heaps of slideshow movies for work. It sounds so uncool today, to make a slideshow movie from photos, but I swear that back then it was pretty neat. Only at the time, I didn't have iMovie. Oh boy, what I was missing out on! It's probably old news for many of you but last night, I made the greatest discovery since Photoshop. I think this is the beginning of the end, when it comes to borrowing Mr. Franglais' MacBook. Sorry love. You just shouldn't be so well equipped and I will stop stealing all your gadgets, hee hee.

Wishing you all a relaxing weekend! I'll see you on Monday.

ps: This movie was shot in early January in Normandy when L. & I visited my mum and "little" bro. And the music is Grown Ocean by Fleet Foxes.

La diva aux pieds nus.

Hoje, "o mundo da musica ficou mais pobre, mas uma artista, um poeta, nunca morre".
Tito Paris 

Cocktails + Barcelona

Howdy friends, what a weekend. Little L. was sick yet again (that's three times in two weeks) and this time he threw up, not at home but in the middle of the supermarket and all over his dear mama. I had his lunch all down my jeans and inside my top, it was delightful. A very lonely motherhood moment. Luckily, we were in the middle of the clothes and baby section so mister Franglais was able to quickly grab some clean outfits for both me and L. The poor cherubs then spent the rest of the weekend with a soaring fever and no appetite, and as soon as he started to feel better it was Mr. Franglais' turn to get ill. Needless to say, it was not a great two days for any of us.

That said, I personally did have fun on at least two nights out of three. Friday, a friend of mine took me to a fun bar called the Experimental Cocktail Club in quartier Montorgueil. It was more hip than I expected, but the staff was extremely friendly and the international crowd brought to the place a more relaxed atmosphere. The bar had old fashioned wood beams on the ceiling, cosy dimmed lights and comfy chesterfield couches to lounge on. And of course, as the name suggests we spent the evening sipping delicious cocktails.

Yesterday, I went with the same friend to La Cite de la Musique to see Swedish band I'm From Barcelona and wow, what an entertaining concert! I hesitated for so long before buying the tickets because I didn't know the band too well but I'm glad I went ahead and spent the money because it was such a treat. It felt like we were at someone's party rather than a concert, and everyone - with no exception - was participating in the fun. Their songs are irresistibly catchy and their energy totally contagious (there were 17 of them on stage!) - it was refreshing to see a band have such a good time and simply play music for the sake of loving music. I came home with a big smile on my face, humming light but bubbly melodies and feeling happy that I treated myself to a such sunny concert.

Experimental Cocktail Club
37 rue Saint-Sauveur
75002 Paris

Cite de la Musique
221 avenue Jean Jaures
75019 Paris

Hello, July.

Is that really you? I can't believe that half a year has come and gone already. Where's the pause button? Speaking of time flying, on Saturday I went to the hairdresser for the first time in eight months. Eight months! I think that's my all time record. My hair was looking pretty shabby to say the least but funny enough I got used to my crazy-long-root-showing hair and do not like my new look. I asked for a good trim and instead got half of it chopped off so I'm not too happy. Now I'll probably have to wait another eight months for it to grow back, ha. Tonight I am off to see one of my favourite artists play at the Salle Pleyel, a venue traditionally devoted to classical music concerts so should be extra special... that's if, she actually shows up and doesn't cut short her performance like she's known to have done in the past. Fingers crossed!  Hope you are all having a great weekend wherever you are. xx

{image via Natzfirefly}

Tuesday Tune: Fleet Foxes

I’m still on a high from the concert I went to last night – it was amazing. I think I even let out a squeal of excitement when my friend e-mailed at 5pm to say he had a spare ticket for Fleet Foxes. I do miss those spontaneous moments, so it’s nice when they magically appear again. Two hours later, instead of spending a dull evening alone at work whislt the mister was at another concert, there I was at the Bataclan sipping beer and listening to great music. Here’s a video of Fleet Foxes playing live at a venue a tad bigger than the one where I saw them last night. Bonne écoute people!

Brahms' lullaby.

A little parcel was waiting for me in the mailbox tonight when I arrived home. It was the musical owl I ordered for L. last week from the lovely mimishop. There's a little story behind ordering this owl. You see, I had a musical peek-a-boo bunny that played Brahms' lullaby when I was a baby and the funny coincidence is that Mr. Franglais had exactly the same one. We realised this because the other coincidence is that, amongst all the things our mums could have kept from when we were little, they both hung on to these musical bunnies. So whenever L. visits his grandparents, he is rocked to sleep by the same sweet bunny that played our childhood lullaby. The melody is so enchanting, L. loves it - and so do we! Which is why I couldn't resist buying this cute Brahms' lullaby owl on Etsy the other day. And as you can see in the photo, Mr. Owl has already found a special place in L.'s room.

Sweet dreams everyone xx

Tuesday Tune: Serge Gainsbourg.

I know, it's Wednesday. But here's a Tuesday Tune I couldn't miss, as today marks the 20th anniversary of France's greatest musical loss.

Tuesday tune: John Lennon.

I know it is Wednesday but given the date we are commemorating, I figured it was not too late for our weekly tune. Thirty years ago today, John Lennon’s iconic career was suddenly ended and hopes for a reunion of the most successful pop band in history had vanished. To mark this sad anniversary, I thought I'd share "Imagine" - one of Lennon's most symbolic tunes - to remind us he was not just a Beatle, but also an inspirational peace activist. Happy Wednesday Tuesday Tune!



Ps: and happy 30th birthday to our dear friend Mr. S., whose mother loved The Beatles so much, his middle names are John and Paul.

Angus and Julia Stone - live in Paris.

Siblings Angus and Julia Stone were on stage at La Cigale last night (my favourite venue in Paris) for an intimate two-hour show. Their unspoken connection and catchy folk songs were beautiful to watch live. The Australian artists perfectly succeeded in charming the Parisian audience with their soft voices and delicate melodies. A fascinating contrast between this chilled brother and sister duo and Saturday's self-proclaimed musical genius!

ps: I forgot to mention that they will be back in Paris on 26,27,28 April 2011 at Le Trianon (another great venue). 

Tuesday tune: Chilly Gonzales.

I know it's Monday but I can't wait until tomorrow's Tuesday Tune to share this video with you. It is Chilly Gonzales, a piano virtuoso, provocative entertainer, world record holder for the longest solo-artist performance, and...our next door neighbour. We saw him live on Saturday and it was probably the best concert I have ever seen. Gonzales' ego is excessive to the point he calls himself a musical genius, but in fact, that's exactly what he is. A genius who inspires so many failed piano players like myself yet despite his success, is so laid back, he goes shopping in his slippers.

Update: this pretty much sums up the concert (article in French).

ps: thank you all for your kind words after Friday's post. I'm just going through one of those moments - a "coup de blues" as the French say. But I'll get over it. I just need to chillax more! (in the words of Jgee)

Tuesday tune: Rosie and Me.

Here's a happy tune - by Brazilian band Rosie and Me - to celebrate, at last, a sunny day in Paris after two weeks of rain. Bonne journée!

Tuesday tune: PJ Harvey.

I have just bought tickets for PJ Harvey's next gig in Paris. It appears to be in ages (February 2011) but as we all know, time flies and in no time I'll be there listening to her mesmerizing voice.

Tuesday tune.

I heard this tune on the radio this morning and it reminded me of Alela Diane's amazing concert at the Olympia in Paris last spring. It was such a heartwarming gig as her mother and grandmother were over from Canada to watch her the night we saw her. She was so genuine and candid, it made the show even more wonderful. You might know her for this tune, but I thought I'd share her less popular song Oh, my mama.

Tuesday tune: The XX.

The xx seems to be helping me get through yet another very busy week a work. I just can't get enough of them at the moment. Having missed the English band earlier this year, I am longing for them to come back to Paris soon for a gig.

The Beatles.

It goes without saying that if you travel to Liverpool you will somehow or another "come across" The Beatles, an all-time favourite band in our household. Our son was even named Lennon for a good 12 hours until we eventually decided to change our minds. So needless to say it was fantastic to visit The Beatles Story on the Albert Docks while we were there. Here's a fun historical recap of the band...

...as told by their hair!

Angus & Julia Stone.

I had already heard their music on the radio but never actually put a name to the melody until I read about Angus and Julia Stone on Kenza Lab, my friend’s great blog. I read the post in the morning, spent the afternoon listening to their MySpace and by the evening I had two tickets in my pocket for their gig in Paris on 29 November. I can't wait.

Mrs. Cold.

I keep hearing this lovely song by Kings of Convenience on my favourite radio station and thought it was worth sharing.

(This is the acoustic version. Check out the original music video here).

Django Reinhardt.

What are you up to this weekend? In just an hour, we will be off to Samois-sur-Seine (near Fontainebleau) to fill our ears with gipsy jazz music at the Django Reinhardt Festival. This 31st edition runs from 21-27 June and will be celebrating the musician's 100th birthday. The festival is open-air so I am delighted that hot and sunny weather has been programmed for the weekend.

Fête de la musique.

As every year in France, today is not only the first day of summer it is also the day we celebrate music. A great website has been designed for the occasion with all the musical information you will need to have a fun night. If you cannot decide where to go or what to listen to, I would suggest you make your way to the Cooling Irish Pub (15 Rue Clément, in the 6e) near the Marché St Germain where two great bands will be playing: from 20:00 - 21:30 it'll be pop/rock oldies songs and from then onwards, funkie blues jazz music. That's where I'll be enjoying my evening. Bonne fête de la musique à tous!