Émilie Simon
Encyclopedia
Émilie Simon is a French singer and composer of electronic music
.
In May 2003, she released her debut album Émilie Simon
. The electronic album was critically acclaimed and went on to become a commercial success. To promote her album, she did numerous live performances and TV appearances all over France. In 2004, she was rewarded with a Victoire de la musique
in the 'Electronic Album' category for the album.
Two music videos were made to promote Émilie Simon for the songs "Désert
" and "Flowers". The English version of "Désert" had an identical music video to the French version. Émilie Simon was also re-released in certain parts of the world with additional tracks. Despite having been released for over three years, the album was still charting in the French mid-price album charts in late January 2007.
More recently, Émilie Simon has begun performing and releasing CDs in the United States. Her first U.S. release, The Flower Book
, came out November 2006. The release was followed by a brief tour to New York and Los Angeles. In April 2007 Émilie released her second recording in the United States, The March of the Empress, and a third, The Big Machine
, in 2011.
to compose the original soundtrack for his documentary film La Marche de l'empereur (March of the Penguins
in English), concerning the migration of emperor penguin
s during their annual migration.
The film came out in France at the beginning of 2005, featuring a soundtrack by Emilie Simon that was also released by Universal Music as her second album. In 2006 she won the Victoire de la musique
in the “Film Soundtrack” category and was nominated for a César Award
for the best film music composition. It should be noted however that the version of March of the Penguins
that was released in the United States and in English Canada
used a more traditional documentary soundtrack scored by Alex Wurman
, the local producers fearing that the Émilie Simon soundtrack would be too challenging for North American viewers (the only cinemas in North America to screen the film with the Émilie Simon soundtrack were those of the French circuit in the province of Quebec
). The Canadian DVD version of the film offers both the French version with Émilie Simons soundtrack and the American version with that of Alex Wurman.
, in which she uses the sounds of plants, as hinted by the name. The lyrics play with words, always relating to flora
. The album also contains more elements of rock music. This comes forward in some of the more lively tracks, such as "Fleur De Saison
", where she plays an electric guitar. The sound remains nonetheless that of electronic music
while her voice maintains its candor, softness, and beauty.
A music video has been aired for the first single "Fleur de saison", the second one called "Dame de Lotus" has also been already aired. The album utilizes Opendisc
technology which enables access to special content such as songs and music videos on her official website. Végétal is her only album to have more than one cover image. Currently, three separate covers exist for the album.
In late 2006, she released The Flower Book
in the USA (April 2007 in Canada), a compilation album of her first three records, with some added material from her short international tour which included stops in New York and Los Angeles. She also used MySpace to convey messages to fans. Furthermore, "Désert" was released in vinyl in the US. The track "Rose hybride de thé", originally from Végétal, is officially the first single release intended for US audiences.
On 5 March 2007, Émilie Simon released her first live album, titled À l'Olympia
. The set exists as a sole CD or DVD, and contains live footage from a concert recorded on 19 September 2006. Songs from all of three of her albums are present in the recording.
As a follow-up to Simon’s debut U.S. release, The Flower Book, La Marche de l'empereur was released on 3 April 2007.
During her stage performances, she performs alongside IRCAM
's Cyrille Brissot who directs the program and Medhi Parisot on the guitar.
On 1 July 2005, at the Eurockéennes
of Belfort, she gave a live concert with the participation of Synfonietta de Belfort and the Lyon percussion group. She worked with both of these ensembles again in a second concert, 19 January 2006 at Le Grand Rex
in Paris. She then toured with Placebo
, doing the first part of their tour from 29 September 2006 until the 4 December 2006. She has also done numerous concerts abroad, in Germany, Australia and the U.S..
Soundtrack
Live
Compilation
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
.
Émilie Simon
Émilie Simon (album)
Émilie Simon is the debut album of Émilie Simon. The album was a financial and critical success, winning a Victoire de la musique in 2004, for Best Electronic album.-Track listing:#Désert#Lise#Secret#Il Pleut#I Wanna Be Your Dog...
. The electronic album was critically acclaimed and went on to become a commercial success. To promote her album, she did numerous live performances and TV appearances all over France. In 2004, she was rewarded with a Victoire de la musique
Victoires de la Musique
Victoires de la musique , is an annual French award ceremony that recognizes the best musical artists of the year.- Male artist of the year :*1985 : Michel Jonasz*1986 : Jean-Jacques Goldman*1987 : Johnny Hallyday...
in the 'Electronic Album' category for the album.
Two music videos were made to promote Émilie Simon for the songs "Désert
Désert
“Désert” is Émilie Simon's debut single, released in October 2002. The song was a huge success both critically and commercially in her homeland. In the US, a single for the English version was released in late 2006.-Music video:...
" and "Flowers". The English version of "Désert" had an identical music video to the French version. Émilie Simon was also re-released in certain parts of the world with additional tracks. Despite having been released for over three years, the album was still charting in the French mid-price album charts in late January 2007.
More recently, Émilie Simon has begun performing and releasing CDs in the United States. Her first U.S. release, The Flower Book
The Flower Book
The Flower Book is a compilation album by the French singer/songwriter Émilie Simon. Released only in the US and Canada, this album takes from all her previous works, and adds two new versions of songs, “I Wanna Be Your Dog ” and “Desert ”.-Track listing:#“Song Of The Storm” from La Marche de...
, came out November 2006. The release was followed by a brief tour to New York and Los Angeles. In April 2007 Émilie released her second recording in the United States, The March of the Empress, and a third, The Big Machine
The Big Machine
The Big Machine is the fourth studio album by French singer, composer and producer Émilie Simon. The album is completely in English; no French songs were included on the album. However, some songs have fragments in French.-Promotion:...
, in 2011.
La Marche de l'Empereur
Wishing to orient her second album towards a more wintry or polar setting, she proceeded to record sounds which relate to coldness such as the sounds of smashing ice and footsteps in the snow. Coincidentally, in the midst of her search for sounds for the album, she was contacted by producer Luc JacquetLuc Jacquet
Luc Jacquet is a French film director from Paris. He wrote and directed the movie March of the Penguins, which won an Oscar for best documentary feature in 2005. His current film is called The Fox And the Child...
to compose the original soundtrack for his documentary film La Marche de l'empereur (March of the Penguins
March of the Penguins
March of the Penguins is a 2005 French nature documentary film. It was directed and co-written by Luc Jacquet, and co-produced by Bonne Pioche and the National Geographic Society. The film depicts the yearly journey of the emperor penguins of Antarctica...
in English), concerning the migration of emperor penguin
Emperor Penguin
The Emperor Penguin is the tallest and heaviest of all living penguin species and is endemic to Antarctica. The male and female are similar in plumage and size, reaching in height and weighing anywhere from . The dorsal side and head are black and sharply delineated from the white belly,...
s during their annual migration.
The film came out in France at the beginning of 2005, featuring a soundtrack by Emilie Simon that was also released by Universal Music as her second album. In 2006 she won the Victoire de la musique
Victoires de la Musique
Victoires de la musique , is an annual French award ceremony that recognizes the best musical artists of the year.- Male artist of the year :*1985 : Michel Jonasz*1986 : Jean-Jacques Goldman*1987 : Johnny Hallyday...
in the “Film Soundtrack” category and was nominated for a César Award
César Award
The César Award is the national film award of France, first given out in 1975. The nominations are selected by the members of the Académie des arts et techniques du cinéma....
for the best film music composition. It should be noted however that the version of March of the Penguins
March of the Penguins
March of the Penguins is a 2005 French nature documentary film. It was directed and co-written by Luc Jacquet, and co-produced by Bonne Pioche and the National Geographic Society. The film depicts the yearly journey of the emperor penguins of Antarctica...
that was released in the United States and in English Canada
English Canada
English Canada is a term used to describe one of the following:# English-speaking Canadians, as opposed to French-speaking Canadians. It is employed when comparing English- and French-language literature, media, or art...
used a more traditional documentary soundtrack scored by Alex Wurman
Alex Wurman
Alex Wurman is an American composer hailing from Chicago. He attended Oak Park and River Forest High School in Oak Park, Illinois...
, the local producers fearing that the Émilie Simon soundtrack would be too challenging for North American viewers (the only cinemas in North America to screen the film with the Émilie Simon soundtrack were those of the French circuit in the province of Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
). The Canadian DVD version of the film offers both the French version with Émilie Simons soundtrack and the American version with that of Alex Wurman.
Végétal and international success
In 2006, Émilie Simon released her third album, VégétalVégétal
Végétal is the second studio album by singer-songwriter Émilie Simon. Overall, it is her third album, the soundtrack to the French version of March of the Penguins included. The album has a floral theme running through it. All the lyrics relate to plants and there are also sounds taken from actual...
, in which she uses the sounds of plants, as hinted by the name. The lyrics play with words, always relating to flora
Flora
Flora is the plant life occurring in a particular region or time, generally the naturally occurring or indigenous—native plant life. The corresponding term for animals is fauna.-Etymology:...
. The album also contains more elements of rock music. This comes forward in some of the more lively tracks, such as "Fleur De Saison
Fleur De Saison
"Fleur de Saison" is a song in French by Émilie Simon. The title means "Seasonal Flower" in English. It is an energetic song from her second studio album Végétal.-Music video:...
", where she plays an electric guitar. The sound remains nonetheless that of electronic music
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
while her voice maintains its candor, softness, and beauty.
A music video has been aired for the first single "Fleur de saison", the second one called "Dame de Lotus" has also been already aired. The album utilizes Opendisc
Opendisc
Opendisc is an Enhanced Music CD application for enabling multimedia content when a compact disc is played on a personal computer. Opendisc asserts that its technology conforms to the Blue Book specification and does not contain copy-protection functions...
technology which enables access to special content such as songs and music videos on her official website. Végétal is her only album to have more than one cover image. Currently, three separate covers exist for the album.
In late 2006, she released The Flower Book
The Flower Book
The Flower Book is a compilation album by the French singer/songwriter Émilie Simon. Released only in the US and Canada, this album takes from all her previous works, and adds two new versions of songs, “I Wanna Be Your Dog ” and “Desert ”.-Track listing:#“Song Of The Storm” from La Marche de...
in the USA (April 2007 in Canada), a compilation album of her first three records, with some added material from her short international tour which included stops in New York and Los Angeles. She also used MySpace to convey messages to fans. Furthermore, "Désert" was released in vinyl in the US. The track "Rose hybride de thé", originally from Végétal, is officially the first single release intended for US audiences.
On 5 March 2007, Émilie Simon released her first live album, titled À l'Olympia
Émilie Simon À L'Olympia
À L’Olympia is a live album and DVD by French electronic musician Émilie Simon, released in February 2007. It includes songs from all of her albums. The album contains material taken from a concert in September 2006 at the Olympia...
. The set exists as a sole CD or DVD, and contains live footage from a concert recorded on 19 September 2006. Songs from all of three of her albums are present in the recording.
As a follow-up to Simon’s debut U.S. release, The Flower Book, La Marche de l'empereur was released on 3 April 2007.
Concerts
Her first concert was given at l'Ubu in Rennes, France, where she played before electro singer Avril.During her stage performances, she performs alongside IRCAM
IRCAM
IRCAM is a European institute for science about music and sound and avant garde electro-acoustical art music. It is situated next to, and is organizationally linked with, the Centre Pompidou in Paris...
's Cyrille Brissot who directs the program and Medhi Parisot on the guitar.
On 1 July 2005, at the Eurockéennes
Eurockéennes
The Eurockéennes de Belfort is one of France's largest rock music festivals. The Eurockéennes, a play on words involving the words rock and européennes , is a festival based in a nature reserve in Malsaucy near Belfort...
of Belfort, she gave a live concert with the participation of Synfonietta de Belfort and the Lyon percussion group. She worked with both of these ensembles again in a second concert, 19 January 2006 at 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...
in Paris. She then toured with Placebo
Placebo (band)
Placebo are a British rock band from London, England, formed in 1994 by singer and guitarist Brian Molko and bass guitarist Stefan Olsdal. The band was joined by drummer Robert Schultzberg, who was later replaced by Steve Hewitt after conflicts with Molko. Hewitt left the band in October 2007 and...
, doing the first part of their tour from 29 September 2006 until the 4 December 2006. She has also done numerous concerts abroad, in Germany, Australia and the U.S..
Albums
Studio- Émilie SimonÉmilie Simon (album)Émilie Simon is the debut album of Émilie Simon. The album was a financial and critical success, winning a Victoire de la musique in 2004, for Best Electronic album.-Track listing:#Désert#Lise#Secret#Il Pleut#I Wanna Be Your Dog...
(2003) - VégétalVégétalVégétal is the second studio album by singer-songwriter Émilie Simon. Overall, it is her third album, the soundtrack to the French version of March of the Penguins included. The album has a floral theme running through it. All the lyrics relate to plants and there are also sounds taken from actual...
(2006) - The Big MachineThe Big MachineThe Big Machine is the fourth studio album by French singer, composer and producer Émilie Simon. The album is completely in English; no French songs were included on the album. However, some songs have fragments in French.-Promotion:...
(2009) - Franky KnightFranky KnightFranky Knight is Émilie Simon's fifth studio album, set to be released in December, 2011. Many tracks also serve as the soundtrack for La Délicatesse, based on the novel of the same title by David Foenkinos, directed by David and Stéphane Foenkinos....
(2011)
Soundtrack
- La Marche de l'Empereur (2005)
- Survivre Avec Les Loups (2008)
- La Délicatesse (2011)
Live
- L'OlympiaÉmilie Simon À L'OlympiaÀ L’Olympia is a live album and DVD by French electronic musician Émilie Simon, released in February 2007. It includes songs from all of her albums. The album contains material taken from a concert in September 2006 at the Olympia...
(2007)
Compilation
- The Flower BookThe Flower BookThe Flower Book is a compilation album by the French singer/songwriter Émilie Simon. Released only in the US and Canada, this album takes from all her previous works, and adds two new versions of songs, “I Wanna Be Your Dog ” and “Desert ”.-Track listing:#“Song Of The Storm” from La Marche de...
(2006)
Singles
- "Désert" (2002)
- "Flowers" (2003)
- "Song of the Storm" (2005)
- "Fleur de SaisonFleur De Saison"Fleur de Saison" is a song in French by Émilie Simon. The title means "Seasonal Flower" in English. It is an energetic song from her second studio album Végétal.-Music video:...
" (2006) - "Rose Hybride de Thé" (2006)
- "Dame de Lotus" (2007)
- "Dreamland" (2009)
- "Rainbow" (2009)
- "Ballad of the Big Bachine" featuring Charlie WinstonCharlie WinstonCharlie Winston is an English singer-songwriter.-Music Career:Early Career...
(2010) - "Mon Chevalier" (2011)
Victoires de la musique
- 2004: Electronic Music/Groove/Dance album of the year for Émilie Simon.
- 2006: Original Film or Television soundtrack of the year for La Marche de l'empereur.
- 2007: Electronic/groove/dance album of the year for Végétal
Nominations
- At the Prix ConstantinPrix ConstantinThe Prix Constantin is an annual French music prize awarded to the best album of an artist who has come to prominence during the course of the past year. It was inaugurated in 2002, following the example of the Mercury Music Prize, as an attempt to bring to light artists who have not had major...
in 2003 for the album Émilie Simon. - At the CésarCésar AwardThe César Award is the national film award of France, first given out in 1975. The nominations are selected by the members of the Académie des arts et techniques du cinéma....
s in 2006 for Best Original Soundtrack with La Marche de l'empereur.
External links
- Official website
- Émilie Simon's YouTube Channel
- Émilie Simon at FacebookFacebookFacebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
.