Miossec
Encyclopedia
Christophe Miossec is a Breton
singer and songwriter born in Brest
, Brittany, France on December 24, 1964.
After obtaining his Baccalauréat
in literature, Miossec went to study history at the Brest University, and quickly got bored. He then worked some time for the paper Ouest France. Journalism didn't suit him any better than history did, so he moved to Paris, and went from one little job to another for some time. He finally joined the French TV Station TF1
and worked there for two and a half years. Eventually, he began to think about turning back to music.
In 1993, he had a critical meeting with guitarist Guillaume Jouan, which led the two to start working on an album. A year later, they were joined by the guitarist Bruno Leroux.
. The wry, world-weary lyrics and the sparse, stripped-down musical backdrop of Boire would gain more than critical acclaim; the album would meet a promising commercial success with over 90,000 copies sold.
Encouraged by this, Miossec set out to record a second album, this time with an expanded band, which included his previous two guitarists and Yves-André Lefeuvre on the drums, and Olivier Mellano (a frequent collaborator with Dominique A
,) on guitar and violin. Together, they would make Baiser (a double entendre meaning both 'a kiss' and 'to fuck') in 1997. This album was marked by a new, fuller musical arrangement that disappointed some fans who preferred the understated musical backdrop of the first album, but Baiser was, nonetheless, another critical and commercial success for Miossec. He was nominated for the 1997 Victoires de la Musique prize for Best newcomer, but he stated that he did not want to take part in the event.
A year later, the third album, A prendre ('to be taken'), would come out only one year later, coïnciding with the birth of his son, Theo. Sounding somewhat like a mix of the first two albums, Miossec was not happy with this recording, considering it to be commissioned and written too quickly, but, ironically, A prendre would be his biggest commercial success to that date, with over 120,000 copies of the album having been sold. The success of A prendre meant that Miossec came to a wider public attention, opening up new horizons and allowing him to write songs for other artists.
His success with A prendre, his least-loved album, left a bitter taste in Miossec's mouth, which he wanted to wash away. His attempt at this led to the fourth album, Brûle ('Burn'), which some considered to be demonstrative of the growing maturity of the artist. The album features a song, Grandir, that seems to be referring to his son, revealing a new dimension to Miossec's songwriting.
Miossec's fifth album would unexpectedly feature a symphonic orchestra backing Miossec's compositions. Entitled 1964 in reference to Miossec's year of birth, this album surprised many fans when it was released in 2004. It was followed by L'étreinte (The Embrace), Miossec's last album to date, which was scheduled for release on March 2006, but was not until August 21, later that year, which would coincide with Saint Christopher
's Day. Songs like La facture d'électricité ("the electricity bill") or Trente ans ("thirty years") remind one of the lyrical and musical style of Boire.
Miossec now lives and works in Bruxelles (Belgium), next to his label, PIAS' studios.
, Axel Bauer
, Jane Birkin
, Jeff Bodart, Daran
, Frandol, Juliette Gréco
, Johnny Hallyday
, Dani
, Erwann Mentheour, Polar or Mass Hysteria.
Brittany
Brittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
singer and songwriter born in Brest
Brest, France
Brest is a city in the Finistère department in Brittany in northwestern France. Located in a sheltered position not far from the western tip of the Breton peninsula, and the western extremity of metropolitan France, Brest is an important harbour and the second French military port after Toulon...
, Brittany, France on December 24, 1964.
Beginnings
Christophe Miossec was not new to the world of music when he met his first great success. Between 14 and 17, he was in a teenage band, Printemps Noir ("Black Spring"), touring around Brest. In spite of the success of their single Les yeux de Laura, Miossec halted his promising music career.After obtaining his Baccalauréat
Baccalauréat
The baccalauréat , often known in France colloquially as le bac, is an academic qualification which French and international students take at the end of the lycée . It was introduced by Napoleon I in 1808. It is the main diploma required to pursue university studies...
in literature, Miossec went to study history at the Brest University, and quickly got bored. He then worked some time for the paper Ouest France. Journalism didn't suit him any better than history did, so he moved to Paris, and went from one little job to another for some time. He finally joined the French TV Station TF1
TF1
TF1 is a national French TV channel, controlled by TF1 Group, whose major share-holder is Bouygues. TF1's average market share of 24% makes it the most popular domestic network...
and worked there for two and a half years. Eventually, he began to think about turning back to music.
In 1993, he had a critical meeting with guitarist Guillaume Jouan, which led the two to start working on an album. A year later, they were joined by the guitarist Bruno Leroux.
Boire to l'Étreinte
After having tested out 15 or so compositions, the trio went into a studio and created their first album Boire ('Drink'), which was released in 1995. An auspicious début, it was declared Album of the year by the magazine Les InrockuptiblesLes Inrockuptibles
Les Inrockuptibles is a French cultural magazine. Started as a monthly magazine in 1986, it became weekly in 1995. The name is a play on "Les Incorruptibles", the French title of the American television series The Untouchables...
. The wry, world-weary lyrics and the sparse, stripped-down musical backdrop of Boire would gain more than critical acclaim; the album would meet a promising commercial success with over 90,000 copies sold.
Encouraged by this, Miossec set out to record a second album, this time with an expanded band, which included his previous two guitarists and Yves-André Lefeuvre on the drums, and Olivier Mellano (a frequent collaborator with Dominique A
Dominique A
Dominique Ané , better known as "Dominique A," is a French songwriter and singer.-Early life:Born on the 6 October 1968 in Provins, France, Dominique Ané is the only child of a teacher and a homemaker. He was passionate about literature and music from a young age...
,) on guitar and violin. Together, they would make Baiser (a double entendre meaning both 'a kiss' and 'to fuck') in 1997. This album was marked by a new, fuller musical arrangement that disappointed some fans who preferred the understated musical backdrop of the first album, but Baiser was, nonetheless, another critical and commercial success for Miossec. He was nominated for the 1997 Victoires de la Musique prize for Best newcomer, but he stated that he did not want to take part in the event.
A year later, the third album, A prendre ('to be taken'), would come out only one year later, coïnciding with the birth of his son, Theo. Sounding somewhat like a mix of the first two albums, Miossec was not happy with this recording, considering it to be commissioned and written too quickly, but, ironically, A prendre would be his biggest commercial success to that date, with over 120,000 copies of the album having been sold. The success of A prendre meant that Miossec came to a wider public attention, opening up new horizons and allowing him to write songs for other artists.
His success with A prendre, his least-loved album, left a bitter taste in Miossec's mouth, which he wanted to wash away. His attempt at this led to the fourth album, Brûle ('Burn'), which some considered to be demonstrative of the growing maturity of the artist. The album features a song, Grandir, that seems to be referring to his son, revealing a new dimension to Miossec's songwriting.
Miossec's fifth album would unexpectedly feature a symphonic orchestra backing Miossec's compositions. Entitled 1964 in reference to Miossec's year of birth, this album surprised many fans when it was released in 2004. It was followed by L'étreinte (The Embrace), Miossec's last album to date, which was scheduled for release on March 2006, but was not until August 21, later that year, which would coincide with Saint Christopher
Saint Christopher
.Saint Christopher is a saint venerated by Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians, listed as a martyr killed in the reign of the 3rd century Roman Emperor Decius or alternatively under the Roman Emperor Maximinus II Dacian...
's Day. Songs like La facture d'électricité ("the electricity bill") or Trente ans ("thirty years") remind one of the lyrical and musical style of Boire.
Miossec now lives and works in Bruxelles (Belgium), next to his label, PIAS' studios.
Albums
- 1995 : Boire (Pias)
- 1997 : Baiser (Pias)
- 1998 : À Prendre (Pias)
- 2001 : Brûle (Pias)
- 2004 : 1964 (Pias)
- 2006 : L'étreinte (Pias)
- 2009 : Finistériens (Pias)
Other songs recorded
- 1998 : Stade Brestoa, on the compilation Amour Foot.
- 1998 : Quoi, ma gueule avec Pascal Comelade, original from Johnny Hallyday on the compilation Comme un seul homme.
- 2001 : La non-demande en marriage, original from Georges Brassens on the compilation Les Oiseaux de passage.
- 2001 : Ballade de Melody Nelson, original from Serge Gainsbourg on the compilation Pop Sessions.
- 2002 : Extase à St Malo, on the album Le dernier cri from Ali Dragon.
- 2004 : Pour un flirt avec toi with Jane Birkin, original from Michel Delpech on the album Rendez-vous from Jane Birkin.
- 2005 : Le jour de l'ouverture with Yann Tiersen and Dominique A, on the album Les retrouvailles from Yann Tiersen.
Lyrics
Christophe Miossec also wrote texts for Alain BashungAlain Bashung
Alain Bashung was a French singer, songwriter and actor.- Youth :Alain Bashung was the son of a Breton factory worker and French Kabyle father, whom he never knew. His mother remarried, and at the age of one, Bashung was sent to Strasbourg to live with his new stepfather's parents...
, Axel Bauer
Axel Bauer
Axel Bauer is a French singer.In 2001, his duet with French singer Zazie, "À ma place", reached number four on the French charts.-Biography:...
, Jane Birkin
Jane Birkin
Jane Mallory Birkin, OBE is an English-born actress and singer who lives in France. In recent years she has written her own album, directed a film and become an outspoken proponent of democracy in Burma.- Early life :...
, Jeff Bodart, Daran
Daran
Daran is a village in the Bilasuvar Rayon of Azerbaijan....
, Frandol, Juliette Gréco
Juliette Gréco
Juliette Gréco, — also Michelle – is a French actress and popular chanson singer.-Early life and family:Juliette Gréco was born in Montpellier to a Corsican father and a mother who became active in the Résistance, in the Hérault département of southern France. She was raised by her maternal...
, Johnny Hallyday
Johnny Hallyday
Johnny Hallyday is a French singer and actor. An icon in the French-speaking world since the beginning of his career, he was considered by some to have been the French Elvis Presley. He was married for 15 years to one of the most popular French female singers: Sylvie Vartan...
, Dani
Dani (singer)
Dani is a French actress and singer born on 1 October 1944 in Castres, Tarn, France. Dani was meant to have been France's Eurovision Song Contest 1974 entry, but President Georges Pompidou died in the week of the competition, so she never entered Eurovision properly...
, Erwann Mentheour, Polar or Mass Hysteria.
- 1999 : Les avalanches for Jane BirkinJane BirkinJane Mallory Birkin, OBE is an English-born actress and singer who lives in France. In recent years she has written her own album, directed a film and become an outspoken proponent of democracy in Burma.- Early life :...
, on the album 'À la légère. - 2000 : Notre histoire, Remise de peine and Ex, for Johnny HallydayJohnny HallydayJohnny Hallyday is a French singer and actor. An icon in the French-speaking world since the beginning of his career, he was considered by some to have been the French Elvis Presley. He was married for 15 years to one of the most popular French female singers: Sylvie Vartan...
, on the album Sang pour sang. - 2000 : Une prière for Axel BauerAxel BauerAxel Bauer is a French singer.In 2001, his duet with French singer Zazie, "À ma place", reached number four on the French charts.-Biography:...
, on the album Personne n'est parfait. - 2001 : La vie la mort for Jeff Bodart, on the album Ca ne me suffit plus.
- 2001 : Rose for Frandol, on the 5 songs CD Demo.
- 2002 : Faisons envie for Alain BashungAlain BashungAlain Bashung was a French singer, songwriter and actor.- Youth :Alain Bashung was the son of a Breton factory worker and French Kabyle father, whom he never knew. His mother remarried, and at the age of one, Bashung was sent to Strasbourg to live with his new stepfather's parents...
, on the album L'imprudence. - 2003 : Il et elle, Couvre-feu and Adieu Bohème, for Juliette GrécoJuliette GrécoJuliette Gréco, — also Michelle – is a French actress and popular chanson singer.-Early life and family:Juliette Gréco was born in Montpellier to a Corsican father and a mother who became active in the Résistance, in the Hérault département of southern France. She was raised by her maternal...
, on the album Aimez-vous les uns les autres ou bien disparaissez. - 2003 : L'amour et l'air for DaranDaranDaran is a village in the Bilasuvar Rayon of Azerbaijan....
, on the album Pêcheur de pierres. - 2004 : Chanson pour un salaud for DaniDani (singer)Dani is a French actress and singer born on 1 October 1944 in Castres, Tarn, France. Dani was meant to have been France's Eurovision Song Contest 1974 entry, but President Georges Pompidou died in the week of the competition, so she never entered Eurovision properly...
, on the album Tout dépend du contexte. - 2005 : Fausse route, On coule, Un homme à la mer, La permanence and Laisser penser, for Mass HysteriaMass Hysteria (band)- History :Created in 1993, the band recorded their first album, Le Bien-être et la Paix , only four years later. After this album, Mass Hysteria gained an important audience for their kind of music in France.In the media, Mass Hysteria is known for some controversies and...
, on the album Mass Hysteria.
External links
Official site- A biography on RFImusique.
- Another biography on french-music.org. Rencontre au fil de l'eau, a review on the book about Miossec and CaliCali (singer)Cali is a French singer-songwriter.- Biography :Cali was born 28 June 1968 in Vernet-les-Bains near Perpignan, to an Italian father and Catalan mother. A fan of English rock and French chanson during his youth, Cali was also a keen rugby player. He played for his region and Perpignan...
written by Grégoire Laville and Yves Colin. An article about Miossec on the newspaper L'ExpressL'Express (France)L'Express is a French weekly news magazine. When founded in 1953 during the First Indochina War, it was modelled on the US magazine TIME.-History:...