French singer/songwriter Heloise Letissier has become the darling of British pop fans. Not that any casual observer would ever know this as her name is not to be found in any chart. She has adopted a stage persona presenting herself as Christine & The Queens.
Heloise, or Christine, is already a star in her native land. Her 2014 debut album, Chaleur Humaine, reached number two on the French chart. She was introduced to the British public through prestigious television appearances and a critically acclaimed performance at the world-renowned Glastonbury Music Festival. Yet it was while living in London six years ago that Nantes-born Heloise effectively became Christine.
“I had been studying theatre at the Ecole Normale Superieure in Lyon. My intention was to become a stage director. I moved to Paris where I concluded my studies. But my personal life didn’t match the success of my academic work. I had an intense relationship which left me feeling devastated when it ended. I moved to London to get away from everything.”
Her deep depression was lifted by visits to the more unconventional clubs in Soho. Madame JoJo’s was a particular inspiration. She credits the club’s resident drag queens with nursing her back to health.
“Those people were so instrumental in my recovery. They embraced who they were. They showed me it was possible to be different yet still vital and, above all, wonderful human beings. Without their help, I don’t think I would have got into making music.
“They were my backing group when I began performing. That’s how the name Christine & The Queens came about. When I was confident enough to perform alone, I still kept the collective name.”
Her Christine alter ego has mellowed over the years.
“My original idea was to create a dark, freaky stage character. She was born from a dark place at a dark time in my life. I based the character around some of the work done by the American comedian and actor Andy Kaufman.
“At first, Christine was quite confrontational with the audiences. But this has changed so much. I often tell jokes between songs now. Humour softens the mood and allows me to better relate socially with my audiences.”
Her stage shows echo Heloise’s theatrical background. She has been compared to none other than Michael Jackson for the range of dance choreography incorporated into her presentation of each song. 
“I am extremely flattered by this comparison. I am very fortunate to work with a group of amazing backing dancers whose brilliance allows me the option of introducing complex dance moves into each performance. I feel my songs demand more than just me singing them. The dance routines add an extra element to my songs and create a better show for the audience.”
Most of the songs on Chaleur Humaine have been translated into English for her promotion on the international market. The album has also been eponymously retitled as Christine & The Queens. Her television and Glastonbury performances have seen it storm into the UK chart at number eight. Apart from Paradis Perdus by Christophe and Jean Michel Jarre, each track was written and co-produced by Heloise. 
“The music business is male-dominated so I’m particularly pleased to have my work recognised as a writer and producer. There are quite a few female songwriters now but still very few producers.”
Her current single, Tilted, has been tagged as the hottest record in the world by BBC Radio One DJ Annie Mac. The song has an interesting history. Heloise wrote the original lyrics in English before translating them into French and titling the song as Christine. 
“I’m always navigating between French and English. It depends on my mood at the time or perhaps which language can better express the emotions in a particular song.”
As a self-proclaimed feminist, it is surprising to hear Heloise express her admiration for an artist such as Miley Cyrus.
“I have had people say what a good role model I am because I do not show off my body like Miley Cyrus. But I do not believe we should say what a woman should or should not wear. It should be about female empowerment and control. They should do whatever they want to do and what is right for them.
“If Miley and other women want to promote themselves as they do then that is fine. I actually enjoy seeing their bodies and admire them. But that kind of thing is not for me. It just doesn’t fit my Christine character.”



in 
brief


Switchfoot


July 8 is the release date for When The Light Shines Through, the tenth studio album from American alternative rock quintet Switchfoot.
The new album comes 18 months after the release of their last studio album, Fading West, and just nine months after their seven-song EP, The Edge of the Earth.
The album title was inspired by a visit Switchfoot made to the Philippines to shoot the video for their latest single, Float. Filmed in the Tondo district of Manila, one of the country’s most impoverished areas, the band’s performance is watched by a group of bystanders whose obvious enjoyment of the song is in stark contrast to their daily lives in such squalid surroundings.
Aid is rendered to the area by youngfocus.org, a non-profit group which feeds malnourished babies, teaches children to read and write and generally brings some hope to the neighbourhood.
The video for Float can be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=Euf3uk0QIaY


Jenny Hval


Norwegian singer/songwriter Jenny Hval has created an intriguing video for her latest single, Female Vampire. The typically avant garde work can be seen at www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVaWc00aZ30
Female Vampire is the lead single from 35-year-old Jenny’s sixth solo album, Blood Bitch, which will be released on September 30. She is in a particularly productive period. Her last album, Apocalypse, girl, was only issued 13 months ago. All ten tracks are available to hear at (no www.) jennyhval.bandcamp.com/album/apocalypse-girl
Videos were made for three of the album tracks. The Battle is Over is posted at www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGksHxwnap0, Sabbath can be found at www.youtube.com/watch?v=csIDglmrupc while Take Care of Yourself is at www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t67EYrsTTw


Lisa Prank


It’s refreshing to discover an artist who genuinely seems to regard being in the music business as fun. Step forward Seattle-based pop-punk soloist Lisa Prank.
Real name Robin Edwards, Lisa has just released her debut album, Adult Teen, the follow-up to 2014’s five-song EP, Crush On The World. The EP can be heard in full at (no www.) lisaprank.bandcamp.com/album/crush-on-the-world
There are currently no official videos accompanying Lisa’s songs but the official audio for her new single, Starting Again, can be heard at www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HJFRWY5KKw
A student-made documentary chronicling Lisa’s music career is posted at www.youtube.com/watch?v=03-29Wi8Pt0


Clarke Hartnoll


2Square is the newly released debut album from Clarke Hartnoll, the duo of Vince Clarke and Orbital star Paul Hartnoll.
Both men are legends of electronic dance music. Vince, in particular, has been a member of Depeche Mode, Yazoo, Erasure and The Assembly in addition to his assorted collaborations with other artists.
Vince and Paul had never met before joining forces in Clarke Hartnoll. Vince was seeking a new collaborator and was introduced to Paul by their shared keyboard technician who rightly suggested they would make a perfect team.
The video for lead single, Better Have A Drink To Think, is at www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3IbvsVCBuY 
A further four of the eight tracks on 2Square can also be found on YouTube. Underwater, Zombie Blip, Do-A-Bong and All Out are available to hear. 


Curren$Y


Rap star Curren$y has just issued yet another new seven-song mixtape. Stoned On Ocean is the seventh mixtape he has released this year. It can be heard and downloaded for free at www.datpiff.com/Curreny-Stoned-On-Ocean-mixtape.791094.html
If you enjoy his work, many more songs can be found at (no www.) soundcloud.com/currensy