marlon magnée
interview by OLIVIER ZAHM
portrait by CESAR LOVE ALEXANDRE
la femme is reviving french “variété,”
singing in french, embracing the melodrama of love,
and finding unprecedented success outside france
OLIVIER ZAHM — The funniest definition I’ve found of your music came from a guy who called it “surf/Gainsbourg.” How do you see it?
MARLON MAGNÉE — That’s funny and flattering, too. There’s a bit of an electro side to it, as well, so maybe we’d need to add another adjective. In any case, the Gainsbourg and surf aspects are certainly there.
OLIVIER ZAHM — Where does the surf come from? Your childhood in Biarritz?
MARLON MAGNÉE — Yes and no. In truth, nobody in Biarritz listens to surf music, not even the surfers. The myth is dead. Surf music is something I actually discovered in Paris, especially through a group called Les Cavaliers. And also through…