April March

Discovered this adorable pop gem this morning and she fits right in with my recent obsession for the 60s pop of French singers, Jany L., Sylvie Vartan, Chantel Kelly, and France Gall. Though her musical path took flight in the late 80s, not the 60s, and she's not really French, she's American. Bilingual, "she often sings in French, using the language not as superficial stylistic whimsy but as a separate palette that extends her possibilities as a lyricist". France considers her their own cultural property.

Apparently she was discovered by Allen Ginsberg and his cohort, avant-garde filmmaker Harry Smith. You can read the full story, here.

Upon further investigation, I found Ms. March to have quite an impressive discography. Her first recordings were made in New York in the late '80s using her real name, Elinor Blake, in The Pussywillows. In 1991, she began her career as April March and formed The Shitbirds. She's collaborated with The Bassholes, and Los Cincos, among others, and was the singer for The Haves. Jonathan Richman has made a rare guest appearance on some of her recordings. She's even recorded with Brian Wilson. In 1997, April March teamed up with northwest garage prodigies, The Makers, for the release of, April March Sings with The Makers, on Sympathy For The Record Industry, and her song, Chick Habit, is featured in the Quentin Tarantino action flick, Death Proof.

April March's Myspace page
April March interview in Chickfactor
April March-Chick Habit Mp3
France Gall-Soyons Sages Mp3
Sylvie Vartan-Lami Des Mauvais Jours Mp3
Chantel Kelly-Caribou Mp3
Jany L.-Les Madeleines Mp3
The Makers-Laughter Then Violence Mp3