Just a few things to point out from my time in Paris this month:
-- No secret that Justice is the big group that has come out of the Paris scene, mostly due to the innovative Ed Banger label. Although most of the releases are similar in vein -- that grinding, 80s Euro-disco/hip-hop -- it hardly boring. What I found was that French DJs like to mix those tracks with well-known 80s tracks. You'll hear something from DJ Mehdi or label founder Pedro Winter (Busy P) then a track from Pat Benatar or Scandal.
-- I made a point to find the rock venues La Cigale and Elysee Montmartre. It was easy because they are a few blocks away from each other on the Rochechouart. It's strange because it's located in the "tourist-y" area of the city. Imagine Bowery Ballroom in Times Square and you'll get my meaning. It's surrounded by a bunch of souvenir shops and junk stores. You go a few blocks north and you'll find Sacre Coeur, which offers a great view of the city.
-- The other main touristy area of the city, Champs-Élysées, has more of the nightclubs. I got my drink on with some Americans I met and found myself among the club goers trying to find some food at 2am on a Saturday night. The one place I found was next to Club Planet Hollywood. Yes, THAT Planet Hollywood and it was packed with people trying to get inside. I kid you not. The creperie didn't give me my change back, and that's how you stiff the dumb American tourist.
-- I didn't get a chance to see Parisian band The Plasticines when they came through New York. They are a fun, retro-garage rock/New Wave band from Paris, who sing in French and English. Their debut album, LP1, is out on Virgin in the U.K.
- A few recommendations for cool places to hang, have a few drinks, take in the local flavor. One is Au Petit Garage -- a very cool, laid back place -- you can find on the Jean-Pierre Timbaud. They play rockabilly, oldies and garage rock. Nearby is Cafe Jeanette, which was an 19th Century restaurant turned hipster dive cafe/bar, but retains its rustic charm and rough around the edge-ness.
-- That picture above is of a bear in a fig leaf -- your guess is as good as mine. It's for Orangina and there are others like it. Animals in sexy poses, that sells soda. The Metro ads are just weird. There was this one for a movie comedy called Les Deux Mondes (The Two Worlds) that followed me where ever I went. It haunts my nightmares.
-- It was pleasure to be in the city when Celine Dion released a new album. Aren't you jealous?
-- Finally, nothing like some local entertainment, as provided by the crazy buskers who ride the Metro. They come alive and amplified. Top 5 Musical Crimes Perpetrated by Stevie Wonder in the '80s and '90s...
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