Beck and Gainsbourg

Charlotte Gainsbourg is a singer-songwriter, actress, wife, and mother. She is the daughter of the iconic duo Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg. Born in London and raised in Paris, it is no wonder that her impeccably chic style is worship worthy. Charlotte embarked on her creative career at thirteen years old singing on the debut album, Charlotte Forever, produced by her father, Serge. That same year she won a César Award for Most Promising Actress for her role in L’effrontée. Since then Charlotte has become an accomplished and respected actress winning awards and critical acclaim for her roles. Most recently she was awarded the Best Actress award at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival for her role in the horror film, Antichrist.

It wasn’t until twenty years after the release of Charlotte Forever that she followed up with her sophomore album, 5:55. The effort gained platinum status in France while receiving a lukewarm reception in the UK peaking at #78 on the charts. Even though her second full-length took a couple decades, Charlotte wasn’t sleeping when it came to creating music. She sang the title song on three of her films, was featured on Madonna’s track from the album Music, “What It Feels Like For A Girl”, and contributed a cover of the song, “Just Like A Woman” for the Bob Dylan biopic, I’m Not There, soundtrack.

Nature vs. Nurture

Gainsbourg’s latest musical effort, IRM, was inspired by a head injury accident which led to a brain hemorrhage. During her frequent trips inside the massive MRI machine she thought about making music. “When I was inside that machine,” she said, “it was an escape to think about music. It’s rhythm. It was very chaotic.” One must respect the defiant will of an artist who feels the need to create, even while recovering from a major surgery.

Charlotte Gainsbourg – IRM from Charlotte Gainsbourg on Vimeo.

She enlisted the help of American music extraordinaire, Beck. Beck produced, co-wrote, and mixed the album. He duets on the track “Heaven Can Wait.” The collaboration of two equally eclectic forces of creativity is a perfect union of kaleidoscopic pop coated with velvety textures and tinged with folky electronic riffs.

Charlotte’s style is totally effortless and simply classic. It exudes from her legendary lineage. Her gamine-like stature, fringed hair, and laid-back bohemian demeanor award her this weeks Fashion Meets Music muse. Enjoy the videos, buy her album or catch her on tour thing spring.

Gorgeous Gainsboug

Charlotte Gainsbourg “Heaven Can Wait” from Beck Hansen on Vimeo.

Tour
4/11 Vancouver, BC – Vogue Theatre
4/12 Victoria, BC – Alix Goolden Hall
4/14 Seattle, WA – Crocodile Cafe
4/15 Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
4/17 San Francisco, CA – Palace of Fine Arts
4/18 Indio, CA – Coachella
4/21 Chicago, IL – Park West
4/23 Montreal, PQ – Olympia
4/24 Montreal, PQ – Olympia
4/25 New York, NY – Webster Hall
7/16 La Rochelle, France – Le Festival Francofolies

Tracks I’m Diggin’

Trick Pony- check out the dude in the werewolf mask.
IRM- title track cleverly uses sounds of an MRI, painfully catchy.
Dandelion- check out this live performance of Charlotte and Beck, a breathy folk pop tune.

Links

http://www.charlottegainsbourg.com/

Watch the exclusive behind-the-scenes video of the Charlotte Gainsbourg and Beck cover shoot for Filter magazine.
Purchase IRM

Image Layout: SB

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