Yelle
Encyclopedia
Yelle is a French band founded by lead singer and namesake, Yelle (Julie Budet) and GrandMarnier (Jean-François Perrier). A third member, Tepr (Tanguy Destable), joined the band before the recording of their debut album. Budet and GrandMarnier began working on music together in 2000. The band came to prominence when they posted an early version of the song "Je veux te voir
" on MySpace
in September 2005, which later reached the top five in France. The success of the song on MySpace attracted the attention of a record label who set them to work on their debut album, Pop Up, which was released in 2007. Their second album, Safari Disco Club
was released in 2011.
Even though their songs are sung exclusively in French, they have enjoyed a significant following overseas in non-French speaking countries. They toured the globe for three years in support of Pop Up.
when they posted a song titled "Short Dick Cuizi", which later became "Je Veux Te Voir", with their account in late 2005. The song's original title refers to Cuizinier of French rap band, TTC
, and was released as a mock dis track. It received a positive response and soon attracted the attention of record label, Source. The song later charted at number four in France. Yelle then began working on and recording their debut album, Pop Up in 2006 while performing at night, producer Tepr had been roped into the band in 2007 after meeting GrandMarnier while working as a journalist. They were in need of a keyboard player on tour.
Pop Up was released in September 2007. Allmusic called it "a perfect storm of glossy production values, smart songwriting, and Budet's sparkling delivery." The album produced another charting single, "A cause des garçons
", which reached number eleven on the French singles chart. Yelle was featured on Fatal Bazooka
's French number one song "Parle à ma main
" in 2007. The band has enjoyed success outside of France despite making songs exclusively in French and have toured extensively overseas in non-French speaking countries. In the US, they were featured as MTV
's Artist of the Week at the end of March 2008. After touring for three years, Yelle took a few months off. They started their own record label, Recreation Center, overseen by GrandMarnier and began working on their next album in September 2009.
Yelle's second album, Safari Disco Club
, was released in March 2011. Budet explained that unlike their debut, there was no deadline for the album because they were on their own label, thus allowing them to focus more on the harmonies and melodies and Budet's singing voice. They were also able to focus on writing and recording the album for a year as opposed to having to perform at night as well like for Pop Up. The album received generally favorable reviews, with The Independent
declaring that the album was "essential for anyone who appreciates dancefloor-friendly European synth pop." The title track was released for free on their website in January 2011 and was released as a double single with "Que veux-tu". Katy Perry asked them to open for her on her 2011 California Dreams Tour
in the UK. They embarked on their own tour after, returning to the US in the fall.
The three members of Yelle draw from different influences in contributing to their music, GrandMarnier is influenced by rock music, such as Rage Against the Machine
and Red Hot Chili Peppers
, while Tepr enjoys rap and minimal techno. Budet has cited Snoop Dogg
, Warren G
, Madonna
and Blur
as influences. They have also listed Prince
, Cyndi Lauper
and Etienne Daho
as influences. Budet's colorful stage outfits are influenced by designers such as Jeremy Scott
, Andrea Crews, JP Lespagnard and JC de Castelbajac.
Je Veux Te Voir
"Je Veux Te Voir" is the first single from the French pop singer Yelle, from her album Pop-Up. The song, originally posted on MySpace under the title "Short Dick Cuizi", was written as an answer to certain rap groups and in particular the rapper Cuizinier of the group TTC...
" on MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
in September 2005, which later reached the top five in France. The success of the song on MySpace attracted the attention of a record label who set them to work on their debut album, Pop Up, which was released in 2007. Their second album, Safari Disco Club
Safari Disco Club
Safari Disco Club is the second studio album by French electropop trio Yelle. It was released in France on 14 March 2011 by Barclay Records.-Promotion:...
was released in 2011.
Even though their songs are sung exclusively in French, they have enjoyed a significant following overseas in non-French speaking countries. They toured the globe for three years in support of Pop Up.
History
Budet met and became good friends with producer GrandMarnier in 2000 and in 2005 they began making music together when both wanted to start a French electropop band. The name of the band, Yelle, began as an acronym of the phrase "You Enjoy Life", "YEL", but was later feminised to "Yelle" because a Belgian band was already using the former. Yelle rose to fame on MySpaceMySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
when they posted a song titled "Short Dick Cuizi", which later became "Je Veux Te Voir", with their account in late 2005. The song's original title refers to Cuizinier of French rap band, TTC
TTC (band)
TTC is a four member hip hop and electronic band from Paris, France. It is composed of MCs Tido Berman, Teki Latex and Cuizinier plus DJ Orgasmic. They were signed to Big Dada for their first LP Ceci N'est Pas Un Disque, the title of which referred to René Magritte's painting La trahison des...
, and was released as a mock dis track. It received a positive response and soon attracted the attention of record label, Source. The song later charted at number four in France. Yelle then began working on and recording their debut album, Pop Up in 2006 while performing at night, producer Tepr had been roped into the band in 2007 after meeting GrandMarnier while working as a journalist. They were in need of a keyboard player on tour.
Pop Up was released in September 2007. Allmusic called it "a perfect storm of glossy production values, smart songwriting, and Budet's sparkling delivery." The album produced another charting single, "A cause des garçons
A cause des garçons
"À caus' des garçons" or "À cause des garçons" is a song first released by the French duo À Caus' des Garçons comprising Laurence Heller and Hélène Bérard in 1987...
", which reached number eleven on the French singles chart. Yelle was featured on Fatal Bazooka
Fatal Bazooka
Fatal Bazooka is a French spoof rap group consisting of Michaël Youn, Vincent Desagnat and Benjamin Morgaine. The act originated in a 2002 radio show which its members hosted at the time....
's French number one song "Parle à ma main
Parle à ma main
"Parle à ma main" is a 2006 song recorded by French act Fatal Bazooka featuring Yelle. It was the fifth and last single from the album T'As Vu ?, and was released in November 2007...
" in 2007. The band has enjoyed success outside of France despite making songs exclusively in French and have toured extensively overseas in non-French speaking countries. In the US, they were featured as MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's Artist of the Week at the end of March 2008. After touring for three years, Yelle took a few months off. They started their own record label, Recreation Center, overseen by GrandMarnier and began working on their next album in September 2009.
Yelle's second album, Safari Disco Club
Safari Disco Club
Safari Disco Club is the second studio album by French electropop trio Yelle. It was released in France on 14 March 2011 by Barclay Records.-Promotion:...
, was released in March 2011. Budet explained that unlike their debut, there was no deadline for the album because they were on their own label, thus allowing them to focus more on the harmonies and melodies and Budet's singing voice. They were also able to focus on writing and recording the album for a year as opposed to having to perform at night as well like for Pop Up. The album received generally favorable reviews, with The Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
declaring that the album was "essential for anyone who appreciates dancefloor-friendly European synth pop." The title track was released for free on their website in January 2011 and was released as a double single with "Que veux-tu". Katy Perry asked them to open for her on her 2011 California Dreams Tour
California Dreams Tour
California Dreams Tour is the second concert tour by American pop singer Katy Perry, in support of her third studio album Teenage Dream. Beginning February 2011, the tour will visit Europe, Australasia, Asia and the Americas...
in the UK. They embarked on their own tour after, returning to the US in the fall.
Artistry
GrandMarnier and Tepr produce the music, while Budet writes the lyrics. GrandMarnier acts as the intermediate between the two. While working on their second album and meeting with American labels, they were repeatedly queried about singing in English in the future. However, Yelle maintain that they would not be able to express themselves in a language that they were not familiar with. Their debut, Pop Up is of the electropop genre with 80s influences. Their lyrics are playful and sarcastic. Debut single, "Je Veux Te Voir" was a humorous reply to the misogynist lyrics of some French rap bands, especially Cuizinier of TTC. For Safari Disco Club, they retained the sound of Pop Up while incorporating more rhythmic drums into the production, such as Caribbean influences and new wave influences in the synthesizers. Budet described it as a marriage between "hotter rhythms and cooler synthesizer", highlighting the sense of humor and melancholy coexisting in the lyrics as well. The melancholy was attributed to Yelle having toured for three years for their first album and having that experience abruptly end to begin work on their next album.The three members of Yelle draw from different influences in contributing to their music, GrandMarnier is influenced by rock music, such as Rage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1991, the group's line-up consists of vocalist Zack de la Rocha, bassist and backing vocalist Tim Commerford, guitarist Tom Morello and drummer Brad Wilk...
and Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The group's musical style primarily consists of rock with an emphasis on funk, as well as elements from other genres such as punk, hip hop and psychedelic rock...
, while Tepr enjoys rap and minimal techno. Budet has cited Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
, Warren G
Warren G
Warren G , is an American West Coast rapper and hip hop producer. He is also Dr. Dre's half-brother.His biggest hit is the song "Regulate" with Nate Dogg released in 1994...
, Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
and Blur
Blur (band)
Blur is an English alternative rock band. Formed in London in 1989 as Seymour, the group consists of singer Damon Albarn, guitarist Graham Coxon, bassist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree. Blur's debut album Leisure incorporated the sounds of Madchester and shoegazing...
as influences. They have also listed Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
, Cyndi Lauper
Cyndi Lauper
Cynthia Ann Stephanie "Cyndi" Lauper is an American singer, songwriter, actress and LGBT rights activist. She achieved success in the mid-1980s with the release of the album She's So Unusual and became the first female singer to have four top-five singles released from one album...
and Etienne Daho
Étienne Daho
Étienne Daho is a French singer, songwriter and record producer who has released a number of synth-driven and rock-surf influenced pop hit singles since 1981.- Career :...
as influences. Budet's colorful stage outfits are influenced by designers such as Jeremy Scott
Jeremy Scott
Jeremy Scott is an American fashion designer born in Kansas City, Missouri. He attended the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, for fashion design...
, Andrea Crews, JP Lespagnard and JC de Castelbajac.
Members
- Yelle (Julie Budet) – vocals
- GrandMarnier (Jean-François Perrier) – drums, backing vocals
- Tepr (Tanguy Destable) – keyboards, backing vocals
Albums
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| FR Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique The Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique is the inter-professional organization which protects the interests of the French record industry... |
||
| 2007 | Pop Up
|
61 |
| 2011 | Safari Disco Club Safari Disco Club Safari Disco Club is the second studio album by French electropop trio Yelle. It was released in France on 14 March 2011 by Barclay Records.-Promotion:... Barclay Records Barclay Records is a French record label founded in the mid-1950s by Eddie Barclay under the alias, Edouard Ruault. Eddie Barclay also founded the Riviera label in the early-1950s.... |
77 |
Singles
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique The Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique is the inter-professional organization which protects the interests of the French record industry... |
|||||||||||||
| "À cause des garçons À cause des garçons (song) "À caus' des garçons" or "À cause des garçons" is a song first released by the French duo À Caus' des Garçons comprising Laurence Heller and Hélène Bérard in 1987... " |
2007 | 11 | Pop Up | ||||||||||
| "Je veux te voir Je Veux Te Voir "Je Veux Te Voir" is the first single from the French pop singer Yelle, from her album Pop-Up. The song, originally posted on MySpace under the title "Short Dick Cuizi", was written as an answer to certain rap groups and in particular the rapper Cuizinier of the group TTC... " |
2008 | 4 | |||||||||||
| "Parle à ma main" (Fatal Bazooka Fatal Bazooka Fatal Bazooka is a French spoof rap group consisting of Michaël Youn, Vincent Desagnat and Benjamin Morgaine. The act originated in a 2002 radio show which its members hosted at the time.... ft. Yelle) |
2007 | 1 | T'as vu | ||||||||||
| "Safari Disco Club"/"Que veux-tu" | 2011 | — | Safari Disco Club | ||||||||||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released. | |||||||||||||
Music videos
| Year | Single | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | "À cause des garçons À cause des garçons (song) "À caus' des garçons" or "À cause des garçons" is a song first released by the French duo À Caus' des Garçons comprising Laurence Heller and Hélène Bérard in 1987... " |
Nima Nourizadeh |
| "Parle à ma main" (Fatal Bazooka Fatal Bazooka Fatal Bazooka is a French spoof rap group consisting of Michaël Youn, Vincent Desagnat and Benjamin Morgaine. The act originated in a 2002 radio show which its members hosted at the time.... ft Yelle) |
||
| 2008 | "Je veux te voir Je Veux Te Voir "Je Veux Te Voir" is the first single from the French pop singer Yelle, from her album Pop-Up. The song, originally posted on MySpace under the title "Short Dick Cuizi", was written as an answer to certain rap groups and in particular the rapper Cuizinier of the group TTC... " |
Nicolas Benamou |
| "Ce Jeu" | Yoann Lemoine Yoann Lemoine Yoann Lemoine is a French music video director, film director, and musician. His most notable works include Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream", Taylor Swift's single "Back to December" and Mystery Jets' "Dreaming of Another World".... |
|
| 2011 | "Safari Disco Club"/"Que veux-tu" | Jérémie Saindon |
Other appearances
- 2007: "Parle à ma mainParle à ma main"Parle à ma main" is a 2006 song recorded by French act Fatal Bazooka featuring Yelle. It was the fifth and last single from the album T'As Vu ?, and was released in November 2007...
" by Fatal BazookaFatal BazookaFatal Bazooka is a French spoof rap group consisting of Michaël Youn, Vincent Desagnat and Benjamin Morgaine. The act originated in a 2002 radio show which its members hosted at the time....
(T'as vu) - 2008: "Hot N Cold (Yelle remix)Hot N Cold"Hot n Cold" is a song by American singer Katy Perry. The song was written and composed by Dr. Luke, Max Martin, and Perry for her major mainstream debut album, One of the Boys. The track was released as the album's third single...
" by Katy PerryKaty PerryKaty Perry is an American singer, songwriter and actress. Born in Santa Barbara, California, and raised by Christian pastor parents, Perry grew up listening to only gospel music and sang in her local church as a child. After earning a GED during her first year of high school, she began to pursue a...
(One of the BoysOne of the Boys"One of the Boys" is a single released by Mott the Hoople, in Canada, Germany, Netherlands and the United States, although not in the UK.The song was featured in an episode of the BBC Television drama series, Life on Mars....
) - 2008: "Fresh Like Us" by Chiddy BangChiddy BangChiddy Bang is an American alternative hip hop band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The group consists of Chidera "Chiddy" Anamege and Noah "Xaphoon Jones" Beresin. The duo was introduced through former band member Zachary Sewall in late 2008 during their freshman year at Drexel University, in...
- 2010: "Cooler Couleur" by CrookersCrookersCrookers are an Italian DJ/production duo who have worked together since 2003. When the two artists met, both were trying to branch out of their genre and explore dance music. Their first collaboration worked...
(Tons of Friends) - 2010: "Ophélie" by Nouvelle Vague (Couleurs sur Paris)
External links
- Yelle discussing 2008 US tour
- Review of Safari Disco Club (in English)