The punk hero embraces the classics of the French song in a new enriched version of his album, after.
Miss Figaro. – What made you sing such songs? Syracuse(Henry Salvador) or: Life in pink(Edith Piaf)?
Iggy Pop. – At the age of 8, I was already fascinated by composers like Debussy or Ravel. Americans are strong by standards, but they’re going over and over. I fell in love with the economy of means of French artists like Gainsbourg and Brassin; Javanese and: passer by that I resume are terribly effective, genius strokes.
Do you take it too? The good life, by Sasha Distel. What moves you in this song?
He depicts the longing we feel that prevents us from being present, from living fully. It is a song that contains a certain violence in its sweetness. it forces us to stop being a little ahead or a little behind schedule. I find it very poetic.
What is your main character trait?
Will, determination. This is the characteristic that makes me say that my retirement time has not yet come. I am scared to death before going on stage and I know that I will never get rid of this monster. It is part of the creative act. The only solution is to cut it, then leave it behind in the wings.
I get scared to death before going on stage
Iggy Pop
Which one are you least proud of?
The lack of sense of boundaries that every artist must face. Sometimes I go too far. But we all have a kamikaze side, which is necessary, because in order to create, you have to have the impression of dying a little bit every time. This is what makes the work timeless and far more important than the creator.
Childhood hero.
Frank Sinatra. At the age of 10, I was completely mesmerized by his talent as a singer, his pathos when he sang ballads. And then Bob Dylan. I spent the summer of my 18th year studying the album Mr. Tambourine. Bob has written amazing songs and his inspiring lack of vocal skills has given me hope.
A meeting that marked you.
My English teacher in high school, she encouraged me to write. Chuck Berry, whom I had the opportunity to meet, and David Bowie, without whom I would not be in this world. He supported me when I sank into depression and drugs.
The three basics of your wardrobe.
A pair of flip flops, a Hedi Slimane jacket and my black leather jacket, my second skin.
Your Proust madeleine.
Boiled eggs because my mother used to make them for me every morning. And then playing golf, because I did it with my father. I lost my parents, unfortunately. They were great and I wouldn’t want to be in their place with a guy like me.
“After” (Le Rat des Villes), a new version enriched with unpublished material. Available from November 25.
Source: Le Figaro
