La Patere Rose Interview: SXSW 2010

Posted on Mar 10th 2010 5:00PM by Jason MacNeil
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Hailing from Sherbrooke, Quebec, electro-pop trio La Patere Rose are already looking forward to starting pre-production work on their next studio album in August. The project will be the follow-up to their self-titled album which was described by some as a mix of Stereolab and Camera Obscura. La Patere Rose -- who played at Montreal's Osheaga Music and Arts Festival in 2008 -- will also be heading to France for some shows as well as appearing in various summer festivals following their appearance at SXSW. Spinner spoke with lead singer Fanny Grosjean (aka Fanny Bloom) about the group, the Pink Panther and her fear of Texas.

How did the band form?

Well, we were in school, in Quebec it's somewhere between high school and university (CEGEP). We started to play together because we knew each other. It's as simple as that. At first it was a little bit difficult because I didn't know the boys that well but they knew each other and so I had to find my place [in the band].

How would you describe your sound?

It's electro-pop rock and with catchy songs I think. It's a lot of things at the same time.

Who are some of your musical influences?

For myself it would probably be the French singer Camille and also Dido and Lily Allen also very much. I'm influenced by a lot of English women. I think it's probably because of their strength, they are all frontwomen and they have a lot of attitude. So I'm attracted to that. And their music is absolutely amazing so it's a great inspiration to me.

How did you decide on the band name?

At first it was a big joke because I don't know if you know the film 'The Pink Panther' -- in French it's 'La Panthere Rose' so we just removed the "n" from the word panther. It means a couple of things in French like something that the gods would drink. It also means where you put or where you hang your clothes. We're not too proud of the name, but it's OK.

What's in your festival survival kit?

Oh my god, I don't know. Let me think for a little bit. A survival kit, hmm... I would probably bring a cowboy hat just to be one of the boys and be safe. Is that a good answer?

Are you looking forward to playing SXSW?

Well, I'm not afraid to play but I'm afraid to go to Texas, that's probably the biggest fear. I heard a lot of things from there but I'm going to have my birthday there so I'm going to eat at this famous steakhouse. I'm anxious to go there and I'm anxious to see what's going to be the reaction from the crowd because I don't know if they're used to French music -- I don't think so.

What would you say is your biggest vice?

Oh my god, what do you mean? Well my biggest vice I would say is drinking. I have a hard time to stop drinking. When I have something tomorrow at like eight o'clock at night there's no way I'm going to stop, which is not cool. But it's OK, I'm going to stop sometime soon.

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

If I say the Spice Girls is that OK?

The Beatles or the Rolling Stones?

The Beatles, no doubt! I think I never really listened to the Rolling Stones and my father used to listen to the Beatles a lot and all of my boyfriends did. I don't know, I just have a crush on them.

What's the craziest thing you've experienced on tour?

There are a lot of things. The craziest thing is probably when someone is sick, like really sick all day and we still have to go and do the show. Then there's eight hours of travel and it's so weird being in the van. Everybody ends up getting sick in the van and it's really not cool. That's probably the most uncool thing.