Emilie Simon :: new country, new outlook
French singer-songwriter-composer Emilie Simon - sometimes described as her home country’s Bjork - is a woman who doesn’t much like explaining herself. But with music as ethereally beautiful, yet compositionally complex, as the 31-year-old produces, her music does more than enough speaking on its own.
The internationally-acclaimed musician and three-time Victoires de la musique (French Grammy equivalent) winner first broke onto the music scene with the release of her self-titled debut album in 2003. She followed that with the French soundtrack of "March of the Penguins" and the flora-centric "Vegetal" before the 2007 release of her first U.S. album - "The Flower Book" - and expanding her live shows overseas. And she’s even covered Bowie - her take on "Space Oddity" on the 2007 "Bowiemania" compilation is incredible.
The release of her latest work - "The Big Machine" - last month marks the beginning of a new era of sorts for the musician. Recorded following her move to New York, away from her homeland, and some time away from creating music, it is her first album recorded entirely in English. It reflects a new global reach for her electronically-driven, naturally-based music.
In preparation for Simon’s appearance - her Chicago debut and the second-last on her U.S. tour - at the Decibelle Music & Culture Festival’s kickoff party at Berlin Nightclub Thursday, EDGE got a chance to gain a rare glimpse into the songstress’s creations.
Move to NYC
EDGE: Hello Emilie! How are you? Back in New York, I hear? What prompted your decision to move to New York from France?
Emilie Simon: I’m well, it’s great to be back because I’ve been away for some months. I first decided to move here because I wanted to have some vacation. I didn’t originally plan to move to New York, but I felt very good here. I started getting back to writing songs and I think in New York it’s a great energy for me.
Watch Emilie Simon perform "Desert."
