The scene: backstage with Sébastien Tellier and band, Mascotte Club, Zurich

Sébastien who? Until yesterday afternoon I did not know who that was. But I had a photo date. Time to start a little research. My Paris scene spy told me he was super duper big in France. Then again, research revealed his latest album’s called Sexuality and the cover looked like straight out of Paradis, the French magazine for ‘contemporary man’. My Zurich journalist spy compared Tellier’s sound to slugs on naked skin. But hastened to add Tellier was quite into fashion. I threw over my tuxedo to check out myself.

I expected to see the French equivalent of this Zurich arty farty scene band which were on the same label as Scissor Sisters – I think they called themselves Waldorf: thundering barock white noise and pretentious art wank. Instead, I saw a man whose stage act involved helping himself liberally to glasses of white wine while smoking cigarettes through his nostrils (is Zurich the only place where this is still legal?). All topped off with the best groans since Jane Birkin in ‘Je t’aime (moi non plus).
It doesn’t come as a complete surprise Sébastien Tellier is the man who will officially represent France in this year’s European Song Contest in Belgrade (with the song ‘Divine’).
Backstage was rather crowded with the city’s prettiest journalists. There was a bouffet, Jack Daniels, and Villiger Stumpen, please help yourselves. It was definitely a step forward from the rather gruesome Justice experience back in December when the Japanese guy threw up during an interview with a colleague. There was only one problem: I had never before done an interview in French. And now it was my turn.
PLAY: Salut, mon nom est PLAY, mon français est merde but I take cool pictures. Can I ask you a question?
Tellier: Ah bon.
PLAY: Yes, then. The European Song Contest. Why?
Tellier: In France people think I’m an intellectual. But I’m not. I make music with my heart. For me music is art.
PLAY: What are you going to wear?
Tellier: I don’t know yet. Probably something white. A white jacket. Maybe an ice cream suit. And a watch. I want a classic touch with a modern twist.

Though I’m not entirely sure Belgrade and the Eastern Block will get the point, my style verdict is clear: La France douze points.

All I wanted now, was to take his pictures:

© Play Hunter