Biographical information

NEW RELEASE NEWS

Monique - 'Paris Lite' (Irregular Records; cat. no. IRR064)

Released January 29 2007 through Proper Music Distribution


One of the more eclectic new albums for spring 2007 comes in the form of 'Paris Lite', the latest release from UK-based French singer-songwriter Monique and featuring her new Paris Lite Band.

'Paris Lite' is a sophisticated and in places funny album that catches Monique's highly individual mix of World, Jazz and the Great French Songbook, shot through with her very own wry and sexy humour. The album is sung mainly in English though she effortlessly includes French and Corsican.

"I wanted to reflect the fun side of French chanson, in English for a British audience,' she says and has included 10 of her own songs about French life, sex and food - 'He Made Paris Move For Me' and 'Pissed on Pastis' will bring a smile, while she tackles the smokers of Paris in ‘Espace non fumeur' and pays homage to Gerard Depardieu in ‘Gerard'. She sings darker material with equal deftness.

The only singer currently promoting Corsican music in Britain, Monique covers the Corsican hit 'Companero' on this release and also includes classic French chanson, with Charles Trenet's Boum in a new reggae version and a translation of a Juliet Gréco hit.

Born and brought up in the South of France, Monique studied singing, accordion and piano at the Conservatoire in Nimes. After completing her studies she travelled extensively throughout Europe and Africa before settling in London.

Now firmly established on the UK music scene, Monique's exciting live shows with the six-piece Paris Lite Band include her Mediterranean and North African influences and she is showcasing ‘Paris Lite' in select dates for Spring 2007.


January
18-19 Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Mill Studio, Guildford, Surrey
www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000

20 Billericay Arts Centre, The Fold, Billericay, Essex
01277 659286
February
11 The Arts Theatre, 6-7 Great Newport Street, London WC2H 7JB
www.artstheatrelondon.com 0870 060 1742

March
2 New Theatre Royal Portsmouth
www.newtheatreroyal.com 0239264 9000

8 Amitiés Francaises de Waverley, Hascombe Centre

May
Ludlow Assembly Rooms (date to be confirmed)
www.ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk 01584 878141

Tour of the Scottish Borders to include:

11 Bowhill Theatre nr Selkirk
www.bowhilllittletheatre.org 01750 22204
12 The Wynd, Melrose, 01896 820028



'It's a show especially for the British,' says Monique. 'While it complements the music of Pink Martini from the States, Paris Combo from France, I Muvrini from Corsica, Paolo Conte from Italy and Souad Massi from Algeria, if you like the comedy songs of Fascinating Aida, Victoria Wood, Flanders & Swann and Kit & the Widow, then this show is for you!'

'Paris Lite' - Track listing:

1. Gerard
2. Paris Metro
3. Good Time Girl
4. He Made Paris Move For Me
5. Companero
6. Le Grand Café
7. Pissed on Pastis
8. Espace Non Fumeur
9. Je vous en prie
10. Boum
11. Waltz in Four
12. Fifteen Years
13. J'ai Ta Main
14. Petit Poisson

Further information at www.monique.co.uk

ENDS
Information released on behalf of Irregular Records by
Singsong Entertainment Publicity

Contacts: Peter Muir: tel + 44 (0)1296 715228 email peter@singsongpr.biz

Pat Tynan: tel + 44 (0)1895 636935 email pat@singsongpr.biz