Passport Season: France

To call today’s episode personal would be a massive understatement. France is a country that’s become quite a second home to me, a sentiment I’m fortunate to feel about several places but it’s a very different beast when it comes to France. My family are Haitian and French, with our roots extending between the two countries for actual centuries. I, myself, have been going there quite regularly since I was twenty years old and my love for the country has grown from my interactions with people all throughout France. 

The warmth I feel in my heart when I reflect on my experiences with French artists is reflective of a beautiful quality about all French artists; which is their ability to create art that’s sophisticated but melded with fun and deep emotion. It’s a beautiful reminder that the showcasing of human emotions can have joy, even when an artist is exploring the harshest of topics.

Joining me for this episode is my friend Dan Black (a singer-songwriter, producer, and visual artist from England who’s called France home for a long time), Ibeyi (twin sisters from Paris who’ve become absolute trailblazers), Romane (a new singer-songwriter based in Bordeaux, who’s a perfect example of what French artists are capable of), and last but not least, my friend Ben L'Oncle Soul (a singer-songwriter from Tours that’s been bringing R&B and soul into the French mainstream for decades now).

A reminder, next week will see the release of the companion broadcast to this episode. That companion piece will feature loads of French music that I’m sure you’re going to love and you’ll be able to only hear that episode over on Spotify.

Episode Timestamps:

Dan Black Chat (3:28), Ibeyi Chat (45:41), Romane Chat (60:07), and Ben l'Oncle Soul Chat (60:25).