Melanie Pain
‘Bye Bye Manchester’ is the sophomore album from Nouvelle Vague’s French chanteuse Melanie Pain, released on 1st April.
The follow up to a critically acclaimed debut album, ‘Bye Bye Manchester’ sees Melanie delivering confessional folk-pop chansons in English and French with breezy originality and the coy, breathy vocals of an ingénue.
As a leading light in acclaimed French collective Nouvelle Vague, Melanie seduced audiences with sassy sweetness both on originals and on covers like ‘This is Not a Love Song’, ‘Teenage Kicks’ and ‘Dance With Me’.
After releasing her debut solo album ‘My Name’ (2009) in France, UK, Australia and Asia, and touring internationally for 2 years, Melanie secluded herself in Manchester to write new material with only an autoharp, miniature Casio keyboard and a ukulele.
Back in France she teamed up with renowned producer and composer Albin De La Simone, who has worked with Vanessa Paradis and Iggy Pop, to record her forthcoming album.
Staying true to her style of retro folk-infused pop, but pushing further towards a more exuberant feisty sound with programmed beats and distorted vintage synths, the album sees Melanie singing of running away in ‘Ailleurs’, a desire for a fresh start in ‘Bye Bye Manchester’, the fear of failing in ‘7 ou 8 Fois’ and duetting with Mercury nominated Ed Harcourt on ‘Black Widow’.
It all adds up to a classy sophomore effort shot through with a witty, vintage filmic feel.
As a performer, the distinctly chic Melanie Pain has held her own in both grand spaces (Paris Olympia, Royal Albert Hall) and smaller venues (sold out London Jazz café) Melanie will be touring the UK with her second album ‘Bye Bye Manchester’ in April. Tickets are available from all usual outlets.
Live dates in the UK:
Tuesday 9th April - Manchester Deaf Institute
Wednesday 10th April - Leeds Brudenell Social Club
Thursday 11th April - London Jazz Café
Sunday 14th April - Bristol Thekla