April March (MP3s, video), Laisse Tomber Les Filles (videos)

Despite the box office fizzle of the Tarantino/Rodriguez's 'Grindhouse' project, there has been quite a bit of buzz surrounding April March's contribution to the Death Proof soundtrack, "Chick Habit".

April March - Chick Habit

While the song has been around for a while, it has mostly flown under the indie radar until now. Her music has actually been more popular in France that in the U.S. Although born in California, she developed an early love of France and even lived there briefly, honing her French accent and 60s French pop/ye-ye skills in the process. Her fascinating resume also includes involvement in cartoons, including once being a lead animator for the Ren and Stimpy Show.

"Chick Habit" is actually based on a song entitled "Laisse Tomber Les Filles" by the late Serge Gainsbourg that was written to be performed by France Gall. The original music video for France Gall's version is here:
France Gall - Laisse Tomber Les Filles (video).

You can here the French rendition by April March (which sounds nearly identical in arrangemnt to her translated American version) here:
April March - Laisse Tomber Les Filles (MP3)

"Laisse Tomber Les Filles" seems to be a popular cover selection in France, as it was also performed by singer and former Miss France (and Shannon Elizabeth look-alike) Mareva Galanter: Mareva Galanter - Laisse Tomber les Filles (video), among others.


For more on April March:

April March recorded this lovely (though slightly nasal on the high notes) cover of France Gall's song "Cet Air-La": April March - Cet Air-La

Check out the irresistibly cute video for April March's "Mingnonette".

Here's another neat video for a song that sounds like a mix of Stereolab and Broadcast: April March - Up Above (video).

There are a few more tracks you can sample at her myspace.


April March - Chrominance Decoder

Labels: indie rock, mp3, pop, video