Sébastien Tellier 

Biography

• Sebastien Tellier (born 22 February 1975) is a singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist synth-pop musician from Paris, France and signed to the French independent label Record Makers.

  In 2001 Tellier signed with Record Makers where he released his debut album “L'incroyable Vérité” (The Incredible Truth) presenting his quirky blend of lo-fi electronica, new-wave pop and piano riddled cabaret sung in both English and French. Receiving raving reviews, the album provided Tellier with the opportunity to support French Electro duo Air allowing him to work on stage with American theremin player Pamelia Kurstin.

  Four years later he released his second album entitled “Politics” in name and subject matter which saw him collaborate with Nigerian drummer Tony Allen and incorporate string arrangements in the popular track “La Ritournelle” which served well as a track for many artists to remix, most famously by Metronomy.

  His third album “Sexuality” released in 2008 and produced by Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, one half of French house duo Daft Punk added more synthpop with an underlying R&B tone, making it Tellier’s most commercial release peaking at number 33 in the French album charts.

  On 24 May 2008 Tellier represented France in the Eurovision Song Contest held in Belgrade, Serbia. With an eccentric performance, involving him entering the stage in a golf buggy accompanied by backing singers dressed exactly like Tellier with matching beards. Part way through Tellier inhales helium adding to the already apparent comical effect. His incredibly catchy synthtastic track “Divine” was the first French entry into the competition to be largely sung in English which sparked controversy with his fellow countrymen citing that as the reason France didn’t chart very highly.

  With his music being used left, right and centre on soundtracks and on remixes, Tellier has become a synth-pop sensation with his unique brand, eccentricity, spontaneity, witty sense of humour and unforgettable performances time after time.

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