Phantom is a bluesy garage rock group with members both belgian and english. Marie-France is a parisian singer and an icon from the 1970’s and 1980’s Palace era. In 2008, they released their first album together which was a great success. Today they are back with new songs written by Miam Monster-Miam and Jacques Duvall (who also writes for Jane Birkin, Lio, Alain Chamfort and the Runaways…) The album is a mix of fuzzy guitars, garage punk, surf rock and was founded just a few days after the collect was launched !

 

Photo : Marc Wathier

How did you guys meet ?

Miam MonsterMiam : We met on stage ! Jacques Duvall (singer songwriter) invited Marie-France on stage with the Phantoms, it was at the Klub in Paris in 2006 if I remember well. Marie-France came to sing her first 12” maxi, which became cult in Belgium for the punk fans : Daisy / Déréglée. It was great, and it gave us the idea to collaborate on an album. In 2008, we recorded it in a belgian farm in just a couple of days.

Marie-France : yes it was on stage. The day before, Duvall called me to ask if I wanted to come and sing our first two songs that we recorded them in a bathroom in Bruxelles. Il was back in 1976 and this is when I become a rock addict ! Of course then I accepted the invitation. Coming back to pure rock had been in my mind for quite some time actually. During the soundcheck, a couple hours before the show, the Phantoms and I really connected, and things just really naturally evolved since then.

Photo : Richard Dumas

How did you come this new collaboration Marie France / Phantom ?

Miam : In 2009 after the Lio tour for the record Phantom feat Lio -Lio being another of Duvall’s muse- we wanted to stop the Phantoms. We had a last concert set in London near Hoxton and we asked Marie-France if she’d like to come and sing a few songs with us. We knew that english people love her ! It was an amazing concert. Martin Gore, co-founder of Depeche Mode was there and he loved it. This is how we decided to make a new album together. Fans were also asking for it, Marie-France really has faithful fans !

Marie : I did not expect it, the Phantoms wanted to stop after Lio. And then, to my great pleasure, they offered me to come to London. There was this same great energy between us and I am so happy that our adventure continues with this new album ! With Jacques Duvall writing songs and Miam MonsterMiam writing music, I am totally comfortable. I love the melodies, the riffs, the team is great… There is a great mix of humour, sensitivity, fervor, musicality.

Photo : Pierre et Gilles

Who are your heroes, inspirations, references, mentors ?

Miam : To sum up : in music there are Phil Spector, Joe Meek, Lee Hazlewood. For comics, it is very simple : Crumb, crumb et crumb. For my life : my baker who makes the most amazing bread !

Marie : I don’t have heroes or better, there are too many of them ! I am pretty much into everything, I believe making a list would be too long. Hmmm I don’t eat bread, but I really love the guy who sells me vegetables ! And I must confess, my lady-chihuahua really inspires me !

What is your favorite part in the creative process ?

Miam : Recording a band which plays live and seeing ideas becoming great songs !

Marie : Aaaahhh… Receiving new songs in my mailbox, discovering them, absorbing them and making them come true. These are the cherries on top of my life’s cake ! Amazing gifts ! Of course there are also the concerts, sharing with the public, the stage, the adrenalin, the lights and music on my body…

Photo : Myla Reynaud

This new album really is a teamwork but who has the last word ?

Miam : We decide everything together. That being said, everybody is bringing its personal touch : Duvall with the texts, the group with the arrangements, Marie-France with a personal style and myslef with the melodies… The key is that we trust each and it allows us to be very independent.

Marie : They know what they do. They are specialists. As long as I can sing within my tanolity, I am in complete confidence. With the Phantoms and Jacques Duvall I know I’m in good hands. Whether I’m wearing a dress or just a panty, it is delightfull ! If I have a suggestion, the team listens to me and we make the decision together.

Photo : Pierre et Gilles

Marie, as you said you are really into everything and changed styles a lot. How do you explain this come back to pure rock ? A refusal to quieten down ?

Marie : I am first and foremost an interpreter. No matter what type of music I play, what matters is the pleasure I get. I am wiser than I was before but when I am on stage I can go crazy ! I feel I’m now more balanced and I avoid the excesses that I fell into in the past.

Photo : Jean-Baptiste Mondino

What do you guys listen to these days ?

Miam : Cortex, a french band of 70ies funk. Smile by the Beach Boys. Some old Black Sabbath. The Stranglers and the Jams always ! And the NUGGETS box.

Marie : Not very original, but, the poor and sublime Amy Winehouse…

Photo : Pascal Schyns - Sofam

Can you tell us more about a Ulule’s project you support, follow or like ?

Miam : The project of SAB , a singer songwriter, he is also our stage tech with Duvall.

Marie : I haven’t supported a project yet, but it will come. I congratulate Ulule for their great idea to help creativity !

 

Thank you Marie-France, Thank you Miam Monster-Miam !

Retrouvez le projet Marie-France et les Phantoms sur Ulule.