News Flash: Christmas 2008

The exceptional English band FRENCH POSSESSION have re-released their No 1 Matchbox Radio 24 hit. The spine tingling, melodic and beautiful “ What Does Christmas do ?” has been NO 1 on the Matchbox Radio 24 chart since it's original release in 2007. The second release with the help of Universal Music Operations now sees the single available digitally worldwide from many more outlets such as  , HMV, 7 Digital, Messagerie , Amazon Digital,  Amazon Physical, CD Baby physical, Matchbox CD shop and many more. The single features the most touching vocals to date from “ better than Macca” band leader Steve Jones + lush guest vocals from the soulful Briony Ace. Watch out Jona Lewie this is the new official Indie xmas anthem. As previously advertised in NME and on VH1 and MTV2.    

French Possession are a British melodic pop/rock outfit based in London or Manchester depending on what day it is. They are proper pop songwriters in the true and old sense of the word and deliver a classic sounding range of eclectic and varied but infectious flowery almost twee pop. Their songwriting influences range from Dylan to Radiohead with touches of Beatles thrown in for good measure.  

French Possession's debut album "Foil for a girl in a posh frock" was released in April 2006 to critically acclaim. Songs from the album have been played on Radio stations across the world from Australia and Canada to Brazil to Belarus. The album featured a good mix of genres from electronica to bluegrass and one or two places in between. The overall feel, though, was of "proper pop"

The band consists of: Steve Jones ( Songwriter extraordinaire ) , Robert "the kiddie" Burton, Bruno Newman and the sultry, sexy angel voiced Briony Ace. 

French Possession's first ever single is called "Triple A" and  features 3 brand new tunes "Nothing else applies",  " The Courtneys of Ballantry " and  "Ginny". 

"Nothing else applies" is a boppy and gorgeous guitar ballad with a sing-a-long chorus that sticks in your head and reminds us of a cross between Fleetwood Mac and Macca. Speaking of Macca, " The Courtneys of Ballantry" is probably what you would expect Paul to sound like these days. Forget Mull of Kintyre, this is a stomping acoustic folky gem with a melody that send shivers down your spine. Lovely and irresistible and perfect for evening's spent gathered around a bonfire chanting along to the chorus while sipping mulled wine. ( Well, speak for yourself I listen at home in front of an electric heater while downing pints of lager and it sounds just as good - Ed ) .   

The last track on this superb triple A side single is the magnificent and unique masterpiece that is " Ginny". This song is a classic and features the wonderful, mysterious, sexy, soulful voice of one "Briony Ace". This track is a slow paced R&B tinged ballad with whispery vocals that deliver the most amazing melody with pure emotion. The music has cascading tinkling pianos and ecstatic lush 70's strings that make you feel like you're sun tanning with a cocktail in your hand on the "Love Boat". Just when you think you have it all figured out the song in a very Beatles-esq manner suddenly changes into "Eleanor Rigby" style strings with the melodic, powerful and soothing voice of Steve Jones making you wonder why he wasn't a member of the Beatles in the first place. Yeah we like it a lot and so should you........ trust us.  

As advertised in the NME "Triple A" will be released on the Matchbox Recordings label on the 24 Sep 2007.  

FRENCH POSSESSION TALK TO US ( In english - Ed ) 

1. What made you decide to form French Possession, tell us a bit about your history to date and who plays what ? 

French Possession was formed during the recording of Steve Jones’ solo album, ‘Foil for a girl in a posh frock’. Three people played such an important part in the recording that they found themselves joining Steve in an unexpected band. French Possession are:

Steve Jones: Acoustic guitar, vocals
Robert ‘the kiddie’ Burton Electric Guitar
Bruno Newman Keyboards, Bass Guitar, Vocals
Briony Ace Vocals

The album received world-wide critical acclaim, but lack of promotion led to disappointing sales. Joining Matchbox for their debut single, Triple A, will hopefully bring their music to a wider audience.


2. Who or what are your influences ?

Steve Jones is the writer in the band and admits to many influences. Besides the standard musical ones (Beatles, Dylan, Stones, Kinks, Beach Boys, Smiths and, latterly, Radiohead), there are other less likely, earlier, writers (Cole Porter and Rogers and Hart for example). Also, twentieth century poets feature, sometimes significantly (check out ‘Wear and tear’ on ‘Foil’): Eliot and Betjeman to a degree, but Philip Larkin very much in particular. 

3. What modern artists do you like ? 

Radiohead, if they can be regarded as modern, significantly ahead of all others, although Blur and Oasis are always good value. Though not a huge fan of Snow Patrol, Steve wishes he had written ‘Chasing Cars’; similarly, ‘Good Riddance’ by Green Day. 

4. Why French Possession where does the name come from ?

French Possession was the name of a race horse in the late sixties. That’s all Steve will tell us! 

5. What inspires you to write your music/lyrics ? 

Life and everything (the universe has yet to feature).

6. Name your all time fave track by another band/artist ?

‘Make me Smile (come up and see me)’ by Cockney Rebel. Best opening line ever. (Emotional outburst, rather than factual statement). ‘Let Down’ by Radiohead, ‘My Funny Valentine’ by Rogers and Hart, ‘Like a rolling stone’ by Dylan and ‘Once in a lifetime’ by Talking Heads run it close.

7. What sort of sound can we expect from your forthcoming AAA sided single ? 

Triple A was originally entitled ‘The Goldfish Album’ as the intention was to give the flavour of the band for people with short attention spans! The three tracks are all completely different but fall within the broad spectrum of music that FP cover (Nothing Else Applies – straightforward, catchy, indie pop; The Courtneys of Ballantry – Irish style Folk-whimsy and ‘Ginny’ – seventies soul meets the Beatles!)

Hopefully there will be something for everyone here, though the group are aware that this may mean that everybody will like some of it but nobody all of it!

8. What are your ambitions for your music? Where do you see yourself in 5 years ?

We see ourselves rehearsing for our second world tour … or alternatively going our separate ways and living the rest of our lives just as inappropriately.

9. How would you describe your music and what genre do you think it fits into ? 

Good tunes; decent words; different styles. 

10. Where was your single recorded and who is producing ? 

All tracks have been recorded at Resident Studios, Willesden, London. ‘Foil for a girl in a posh frock’ was produced by Bruno Newman. Triple A was produced by Bruno and Paul Fletcher.