TRACK OF THE DAY: VICTORIA + JEAN – FIRECRACKER

TRACK OF THE DAY: VICTORIA + JEAN - FIRECRACKER

Firecracker is the new single from Victoria+Jean, an extraordinarily creative duo linked artistically and romantically. Originally a smoky blues song, Firecracker mutated into a full on electric anthem, with punchy guitar and an insistent beat. “I was really inspired by the film version of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” says Victoria (vocals). “Particularly the way Johnny Depp would hit the road and go to these casino’s and dingy bars on acid (and other drugs), walking like a total freaky weirdo – like Monty Python’s silly walks!”

The video for Firecracker has been directed by long-term PJ Harvey collaborator Maria Mochnacz.

“My dear friend John Parish told me about a band he was working with who were trying to contact me,” she says. “Victoria+Jean sent the album through and explained that they were asking video makers/artists to make videos for all of the songs on their album, and to chose which ever song I liked, and to do whatever I wanted, and that they had time – my favourite ingredient!”

“Maria had this crazy cool idea of us doing mug shots in flashy tights, and behaving like fugitives on the run,” says Victoria. “But not in a discrete, secretive way AT ALL!”

Watch the video below:

The Brussels-based duo will be in London to play a headline show at The Old Queens Head – 44 Essex Rd, London N1 8LN – on Wednesday 20th April.

Firecracker is taken from Victoria+Jean’s remarkable debut album Divine Love, released April 29. For the album the pair ambitiously hunted down their favourite producers, sent them the album’s 12 tracks and asked to collaborate with them. These names include John Parish (PJ Harvey, Goldfrapp), Rob Kirwan (The Horrors, Depeche Mode), Christopher Berg (The Knife), Ian Caple (Tricky, Kate Bush), Joe Hirst (Stone Roses), Alistair Chant (PJ Harvey & John Parish) and Lucas Chauvière (De La Soul). Remarkably, each producer chose the track that was intended for them.

Victoria was born in Sweden, grew up in London before moving to Paris where she began her first career as a model. At 16 she was signed as a solo artist by a French major label. However, she broke her four-album deal before releasing her debut album, unable to make the compromises demanded upon her. She moved to Belgium where she met Jean and the couple began a career motivated by encounters, travels and sound, he having left school at the age of 16 to begin a life of touring the world with various bands and musicians.

Xsnoize Author
Mark Millar is the founder of XS Noize and looks after the daily running of the website as well as hosting interviews for the weekly XS Noize Podcast. Mark's favourite album is Achtung Baby by U2.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*