"It's really only about energy": Yelle talk about overcoming language barriers

French electro pop band Yelle talk to Skiddle about overcoming language barriers with music, why there's no 'concept' behind the second album, and tweeting Katy Perry.

Music in a different language is learning made simple. From Eartha Kit’s ‘C’est Si Bon’, LaBelle’s ‘Lady Marmalade’, to Yelle’s ‘A Cause de Garcons’, there are certainly no shortage of lessons being taught in the music industry classroom.

That’s the great thing about music, it transcends all barriers, including language, and allows its listeners to indulge in what’s most important: the great melody or the thumping bass line. French trio Yelle are living proof of this unilingual take over and after receiving such success from their 2007 debut Pop Up the Frenchies are back with sophomore Safari Disco Club. They’ve supported Katy Perry and aren’t looking to convert anyone, but if your ears prick, your feet will do the rest. Front-woman Yelle confesses her love for Dave Gahan while Jasmine Phull listens.

You remixed Katy Perry’s ‘Hot n Cold’ and supported her on her 2011 California Dreams Tour. Did you simply stay in contact after remixing her track?

Katy has been following us since the beginning actually. The remix, the support, all came naturally, just a tweet message and it was done!

Was there a difference in approach between 2007’s Pop Up and 2011’s Safari Disco Club? A lot must have changed for you in the 3-4 years?

Yes, so much changed. Pop Up was made after workdays, and on the weekend whereas Safari Disco Club was a one-year focused project. We definitely grew up during the 3 years of touring! We discovered a lot of things, people, countries...

Who are you trying to reach with your second album? Do you hope your second album will bring in new fans?

We are not trying anything! We are just creating music that we love and we want to share it. The people who are interested and love it can become fans, and that's great; it's something to share, but there is no ‘plan’ or ‘concept’. We kinda hate that idea, actually. Spontaneity!

What’s different about your sound this time round?

I would say it’s richer, there are more melodies, more harmonies, more beats, with a dual-taste spirit, even in the lyrics. You can listen to the songs but also dance to them. You just choose depending on your mood!

You initially gained success in the non-French speaking countries even though all of your songs are in French. What do you think drew people to your music?

Yeah we've been trying to find an answer too! We think it's really only about energy, people can feel it and it’s direct. We can compare it to when we were younger trying to sing over English songs!

You’ve decided to keep Safari Disco Club a French-speaking album, what was the reason behind that decision?

It’s our native tongue and it's natural for us to play with French words. We would lose spontaneity in English as we are not fluent yet... but we don't say no, maybe someday if we feel it!

Where are you currently based?

Still in Saint-Brieuc, Brittany, France.

If you could be based anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

I love Austin, Texas. The city has great spirit, great people, great weather, great geographical situation... but I love lots of places. It’s kinda hard to choose.

Is on-stage visuals just as important as the music?

Well, it has to match, for sure. We like to give the strongest things to fit our music, when it's possible. Having special outfits, lights, our logo, is a minimum.

Yelle exploded during the birth of blog-hype where user generated blogs and Myspace played an important role in self-promotion. Since you started, do you think blog hype has maintained its integrity? Have the motives behind the blogs changed at all?

So many blogs now! I recently heard that some blogs deal money with some music labels, which sucks! But the cool ones don't do that anyway, and if you are cool, you know which are the cool blogs! (Laughs).

How important is collaboration in your music?

We've been working with Siriusmo, a great German producer, on three songs from the new album but that's it regarding Safari Disco Club. I don't over-collaborate. I just do it when it makes sense... there is so much “name dropping” in music. But hey, I’d love to collaborate with Dave Gahan! (Laughs).

What’s one thing you’ve learnt about the music industry in the last three years?

When music is good and interesting, and when you are sincere with what you do, it's all good, and everything else is a bonus!

Find out more about Yelle at their Skiddle artist page here.

Interview: Jasmine Phull

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