Arts

The coolest band in Paris

It seems like every band these days is the coolest band around. An endless supply of cool, hip groups sprout like dandelions and promise to radically reshape the sound of the music industry. Cool is cool, but interesting is beyond cool. This Friday, November 2nd, Nouvelle Vague returns to Miami with their cool, yet interesting style that reshapes and reinterprets New Wave classics from a French bossa nova 60s pop lens.

Nouvelle Vague. Photo by Melanie Liset

Nouvelle Vague is the brainchild of Marc Collin whose theory of music pivots around this idea of fusing seemingly disparate styles to create new harmonies, new art. The soft, subtle beauty of the music lulls the listener into the melodies rather than imposing them upon the listener. Evidence: Nouvelle Vague’s reinterpretation of Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4efME9Vnlc

The San Francisco Weekly writes, “their Bossa Nova-inflected lounge covers of New Wave and post-punk classics seemed like an ironic novelty. [W]ith five albums to boast, their technique and performance have risen to match the sheer style they have always possessed. Their performance…clearly illustrated their aesthetic and practical mastery of a genre they created and occupy alone.”

This is Nouvelle Vague’s second visit to Miami in two years. If you didn’t see them last time, this is your chance to experience classic New Wave in a new context. One that extends the intrinsic beauty of the genre into a alternative, yet relevant direction. “They’re incredible live,” a friend and music aficionado hollered at me. “You don’t want to miss them!” Based on what I’ve heard so far, I agree.

Nouvelle Vague in concert on Friday November 2nd, 9 p.m., Grand Central, 697 North Miami Ave., Miami. Tickets (ages 18+): $30 advance, $35 at the door. Tickets are available through Rhythm Foundation by phone 305-672-5202 or by visiting www.rhythmfoundation.com.