Zazie

Zazie
Live at Brussels on June 9, 2007
Background information
Birth name	Isabelle de Truchis de Varennes
Born	18 April 1964 (1964-04-18) (age 45) Boulogne-Billancourt, France
Genres	Pop, rock
Years active	1992-present
Labels	Universal Music, Wrasse Records (UK)
Website	zazie...universalmusic.fr

Zazie (born Isabelle Marie Anne de Truchis de Varennes on 18 April 1964 in Boulogne-Billancourt) is a French singer and songwriter. She also co-produces her own albums with other producers.

Biography

Early life

She was nicknamed "Zazie" as reference to the novel by Raymond Queneau, Zazie dans le metro. Her mother was a music teacher and her father, Hervé de Varenne Truchis, an architect. At home, they listened Georges Brassens, Jacques Brel and Barbara, as well as classical music.

Zazie practiced the violin for ten years, as well as the piano and guitar. Her attraction to writing grew little by little. At the age of four she wrote her first song, and her first play at eight.

Her debuts

After becoming a Bachelor in literature at sixteen, she first studied kinesiotherapy, then foreign languages (English, Spanish and Japanese). She then began a modeling career and, for ten years, she participated in fashion shows with Yves Saint-Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld and Kenzo. Tired by the fashion world, she had the opportunity to perform choirs on a song by Fabrice Guinar. She appeared for the first time on television as singer with Alain Lanty and accompanied Pierre Cosso on saxophone. Her particular voice also allowed her to work in radio advertising (Opel, Cochonou, Martini) and television advertising (L'Oreal, Saint-Moret, etc..). French humorist band Les Nuls asked her to participate in a false ad.

1993 : the first album

In 1990, Zazie tried to start a musical career. She signed a contract with Phonogram in 1991. In 1992 she came out Je, tu, ils, her first album recorded in the studios of Peter Gabriel. She collaborated for the first time with Pascal Obispo on the song "Un, deux, trois, soleil". She wrote almost all the tracks of the album and participated in the composition. The album had a minor success, and the single "Sucré salé" was ranked #46 on the Top 50 (French SNEP Singles Chart). The following year, Zazie was awarded 'best female revelation' at the Victoires de la musique. The other two singles from the album had any success, but the singer's career was launched. Her record label agreed to sign for a second album.

Her songs range from upbeat rock or pop songs to languid down tempo tunes and are characterised by the wit of their lyrics based on puns, alliterations, homophonies and double entendres.

From 1995: the success

In 1995, she released her second album Zen, which was co-written and co-produced with Vincent-Marie Bouvot. The album produced the singles "Zen" and "Homme Sweet Homme". Her 1996 single "Un point c'est toi" from the same album was discussed on Canada's MuchMusic TV program Too Much 4 Much due to its controversial content. Ultimately, the discussion panel deemed the video okay for audiences. In the video, a group of four smitten women, including Zazie, follow a pair of men down to a lake. There, the two men strip off their clothes and swim in the water. Zazie fantasizes about undressing one of the men and kissing him. However, her fantasies get spoiled, as the two men kiss each other.

In 1997, Pascal Obispo and Zazie released the single "Les Meilleurs Ennemis".

Her 1998 album Made in Love was co-produced by Ali Staton, Pierre Jaconelli, and herself. The album photos were taken by fashion designer Jean-Baptiste Mondino. The songs "Ça Fait Mal Et Ça Fait Rien", "Tous des anges", and "Tout Le Monde" were released as singles. This album was followed by a live album, Made in Live, the next year. In 1999 she also wrote a song for Jane Birkin.

In 2001, Zazie teamed up with Axel Bauer on the single "À Ma Place". It was her most successful single in France, reaching number four on the French charts.

Zazie once again addressed gay content on her 2002 single "Adam et Yves" from her 2001 album La Zizanie. This album was produced solely by Pierre Jaconelli. Other singles included "Rue de la paix" and "Danse avec les loops". In 2003, she released another live album, Ze Live.

Her 2004 album Rodéo was co-produced with Jean-Pierre Pilot and Philippe Paradis. The video for the single "Excuse-Moi" features Zazie playing the role of an Indian woman who leaves her cheating husband. She followed this album up with a live album, Rodéo Tour in 2006.

In February 2007, was released her sixth album Totem. Just like her previous album, it is co-produced with Jean-Pierre Pilot and Philippe Paradis. The "Totem Tour" began on July 1.

In 2007 too, she wrote several songs for Christophe Willem's album, Inventaire.

She is noted for her playful use of language, which has led to the coining of the French word zazisme, or "Zazie-ism".

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

Best of

¹ Reached #1 on the French compilations chart.

Singles

^A Released as a promo only.

Awards

• Victoires de la musique :
  • Musical show, tour or concert of the year (2006)
  • Female group of artists of the year (2002)
  • Female artist of the year (1998)
  • Music video of the year: Larsen, directed by Philippe André; (1996)
  • Popular music Female révélation of the year (1993)
• NRJ Music Awards :
  • Best French language song (2002) with Axel Bauer for À ma place

Personal life

Zazie and her boyfriend Fabien Cahen had a daughter, Lola, born on August 16, 2002.

References

External links

• (French) Official site
• Biography of Zazie from Radio France Internationale
• (French) Zazie le Zite, unofficial website
• Zazie's UK Label
• (French) Le Site des Anges, unofficial website