Modjo
Encyclopedia
Modjo was a French
house
/pop
musical duo made up of producer
Romain Tranchart and vocalist Yann Destagnol (aka Yann Destal). It had major success with its hit single "Lady (Hear Me Tonight)
".
) first moved with his family to Mexico
and Algeria
, to finally live in Brazil
. This is where he started learning the guitar
, finding inspiration through jazz
classics. He was also exposed to Bossa Nova
but chose another direction, playing in a rock band called Seven Tracks once back in Paris. After a few gigs in Parisian clubs La Loco and Le Grand Rex
, the band split.
At that time, he became a fan of house music
, influenced by DJ Sneak
, Ian Pooley
, and Daft Punk
. He released his first house single as Funk Legacy titled "What You're Gonna Do, Baby" on Vertigo Records
in 1998. Later, he decided to enter the American School of Modern Music in Paris, the French division of the Berklee School of Music.
Also Parisian, Yann learned to play flute
and clarinet
when he was a small child. As he aged he became deeply influenced by The Beatles
, The Beach Boys
, David Bowie
and other pop acts. He started to play drums by emulating them. He also learned to play the piano
and the guitar
. He later bought himself a four track recording machine and started songwriting and singing. Fascinated more by voices than by charismatic band leaders, he liked bands such as Aerosmith
, The Police
and Queen
and lately became a great fan of R&B
diva
s.
After being a drummer and sometimes-vocalist in a few bands, he met Romain in 1998, and the partnership was born. The two quickly began recording, and from those sessions came "Lady (Hear Me Tonight)". The single got recognition later on in 2000
. It's a "French-flavour" house track with heavy pop and disco influences, which featured a sample from Chic
's "Soup For One". The track became an instant number-one across Europe
, and was followed up by other singles Chillin'
, What I Mean
and No More Tears
. With this last single, they started calling themselves Modjo Band.
After "No More Tears", they started their respective solo careers, with Romain Tranchart remix
ing songs from various artist like Res ("Golden Boys"), Shaggy ("Sexy Lady"), Mylène Farmer
("California") and post producing the likes of Everynote's "Once Upon a Time." Yann Destal's released a very Queen-esque album, titled The Great Blue Scar, reaching some success in France.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
house
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
/pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
musical duo made up of producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
Romain Tranchart and vocalist Yann Destagnol (aka Yann Destal). It had major success with its hit single "Lady (Hear Me Tonight)
Lady (Hear Me Tonight)
"Lady " is the debut single by French house duo Modjo, written and performed by producer Romain Tranchart and vocalist Yann Destagnol and released in 2000. A house music song, it features a guitar sample of "Soup for One" performed by Chic, for which Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards are also...
".
Biography
Romain Tranchart (born on June 9, 1976, in ParisParis
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
) first moved with his family to Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
, to finally live in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. This is where he started learning the guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, finding inspiration through jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
classics. He was also exposed to Bossa Nova
Bossa Nova
Bossa Nova may refer to:*Bossa nova, a style of music*Bossa Nova , a dance form associated with the music*Bossa Nova , a 2000 film*Bossa Nova - album by John Pizzarelli...
but chose another direction, playing in a rock band called Seven Tracks once back in Paris. After a few gigs in Parisian clubs La Loco and Le Grand Rex
Le Grand Rex
Le Grand Rex is the largest cinema, theater and music venue in Paris, with 2,800 seats. An atmospheric theatre, the cinema features a starred "sky" overhead, as well as interior fountains. The cinema is a landmark of Art Deco style architecture. It features the largest screen in Europe, called...
, the band split.
At that time, he became a fan of house music
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
, influenced by DJ Sneak
DJ Sneak
DJ Sneak is a Puerto Rican house music DJ and producer raised in Chicago, Illinois. He is noted as being one of the second wave of Chicago house producers, as well as a member of the vanguard of late-1990s United States house producers.-Biography:In 1983, Sneak moved to the city...
, Ian Pooley
Ian Pooley
Ian Pooley is a German-born record producer and DJ. While incorporating samples of various musical genres, Pooley's creations are usually classified as house or tech house with Brazilian influence.-Career:...
, and Daft Punk
Daft Punk
Daft Punk are an electronic music duo consisting of French musicians Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter . Daft Punk reached significant popularity in the late 1990s house movement in France and met with continued success in the years following, combining elements of house with synthpop...
. He released his first house single as Funk Legacy titled "What You're Gonna Do, Baby" on Vertigo Records
Vertigo Records
Vertigo Records today is a UK-based record label operated by Universal Music UK.-History:Vertigo Records was the name Philips Records chose in the late 1960s for its record sub-label to counter the progressive labels of its rivals EMI with Harvest Records and Decca Records with Deram...
in 1998. Later, he decided to enter the American School of Modern Music in Paris, the French division of the Berklee School of Music.
Also Parisian, Yann learned to play flute
Flute
The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
and clarinet
Clarinet
The clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed...
when he was a small child. As he aged he became deeply influenced by The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
, The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys are an American rock band, formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California. The group was initially composed of brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Managed by the Wilsons' father Murry, The Beach Boys signed to Capitol Records in 1962...
, David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
and other pop acts. He started to play drums by emulating them. He also learned to play the piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
and the guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
. He later bought himself a four track recording machine and started songwriting and singing. Fascinated more by voices than by charismatic band leaders, he liked bands such as Aerosmith
Aerosmith
Aerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
, The Police
The Police
The Police were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. For the vast majority of their history, the band consisted of Sting , Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland...
and Queen
Queen (band)
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
and lately became a great fan of R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
diva
Diva
A diva is a celebrated female singer. The term is used to describe a woman of outstanding talent in the world of opera, and, by extension, in theatre, cinema and popular music. The meaning of diva is closely related to that of "prima donna"....
s.
After being a drummer and sometimes-vocalist in a few bands, he met Romain in 1998, and the partnership was born. The two quickly began recording, and from those sessions came "Lady (Hear Me Tonight)". The single got recognition later on in 2000
2000 in music
See also:* 2000 in music Record labels established in 2000-Events:*January – Gary Glitter is released from jail, two months before his sentence for sexual offences ends.*January 1**John Tavener is knighted in the New Year's Honours List....
. It's a "French-flavour" house track with heavy pop and disco influences, which featured a sample from Chic
Chic (band)
Chic was an African American disco and R&B band that was organized during 1976 by guitarist Nile Rodgers and bassist Bernard Edwards. It is known best for its commercially successful disco songs, including "Dance, Dance, Dance " , "Everybody Dance" , "Le Freak" , "I Want Your Love" , "Good Times"...
's "Soup For One". The track became an instant number-one across Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, and was followed up by other singles Chillin'
Chillin' (Modjo song)
"Chillin" is a single by Modjo, written and performed by producer Romain Tranchart and vocalist Yann Destagnol and first released in 2000. It features samples from the song "Le Freak" by Chic, for which Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards are also credited as song writers.-Track listings:Original...
, What I Mean
What I Mean
"What I Mean" is a single by Modjo released in 2001. There are two versions, the original mix and another more dance-oriented.-Chart performance:...
and No More Tears
No More Tears (Modjo song)
-Track listings:#"No More Tears" #"No More Tears" #"No More Tears" #"No More Tears" -Chart performance:...
. With this last single, they started calling themselves Modjo Band.
After "No More Tears", they started their respective solo careers, with Romain Tranchart remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
ing songs from various artist like Res ("Golden Boys"), Shaggy ("Sexy Lady"), Mylène Farmer
Mylène Farmer
Mylène Farmer, , born Marie-Hélène Jeanne Gautier, , , is a French singer, songwriter, occasional actress and author....
("California") and post producing the likes of Everynote's "Once Upon a Time." Yann Destal's released a very Queen-esque album, titled The Great Blue Scar, reaching some success in France.
Albums
| Released | Album | UK | U.S. | AUS | NZ | GER |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Modjo Modjo (album) Modjo is a 2001 self-titled debut album by the French house/pop band, Modjo. It includes the smash hit single, "Lady ".-Track listing:# "Acknowledgement" Destangol, Tranchart – 3:05# "Chillin'" Destangol, Tranchart – 4:52... |
— | — | — | — | 30 |
Singles
| Released | Single | Album mojo is the best :S | UK UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
U.S. | AUS | NZ | GER |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | "Lady (Hear Me Tonight) Lady (Hear Me Tonight) "Lady " is the debut single by French house duo Modjo, written and performed by producer Romain Tranchart and vocalist Yann Destagnol and released in 2000. A house music song, it features a guitar sample of "Soup for One" performed by Chic, for which Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards are also... " |
1 | 81 | 10 | 8 | 2 | |
| "Chillin' Chillin' (Modjo song) "Chillin" is a single by Modjo, written and performed by producer Romain Tranchart and vocalist Yann Destagnol and first released in 2000. It features samples from the song "Le Freak" by Chic, for which Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards are also credited as song writers.-Track listings:Original... " |
12 | — | 35 | — | 38 | ||
| 2001 | "What I Mean What I Mean "What I Mean" is a single by Modjo released in 2001. There are two versions, the original mix and another more dance-oriented.-Chart performance:... " |
59 | — | — | — | 67 | |
| 2002 | "No More Tears No More Tears (Modjo song) -Track listings:#"No More Tears" #"No More Tears" #"No More Tears" #"No More Tears" -Chart performance:... " |
— | — | — | — | — | |
| "On Fire" | — | — | — | — | — |
See also
- List of number-one dance hits (United States)
- List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart
- List of songs that reached number one on the Irish Dance Chart