Nouvelle Vague Biography

Nouvelle Vague is a french cover band, led by Olivier Libaux and Marc Collin. The name means “new wave” and links to both the Frech New Wave cinema and music movement. Also, it refers to bossa nova, the Portuguese translation. Therefore, it embodies the band’s artistic style and influences. The founding duo collaborated with countless vocalists. Their songs contain complex, colourful orchestrations and usually a subtle, sensual female voice.

Best Years

The group released their first album in 2004. The self-titled Nouvelle Vague contained covers of Modern English, The Clash, Joy Division, The Cure. It sold very well and reached the French charts, despite getting mixed reviews. Mainly the critics did not approve of the concept of the band, even though they enjoyed the album itself.

Two years later, the group released a second album, Bande a Part. Not only was it a high-seller, it also expanded to European charts. This time, Nouvelle Vague covered Bauhaus, Echo & the Bunnymen and Blondie. Moreover, in 2008, the band released an album focused only on soundtracks. Therefore, Hollywood, mon amour, included Eye of the Tiger, the James Bond theme A View to a Kill.

Hiatus and Return

The 2009 album, titled 3, was a mix of country, blues and punk songs. Among others, it featured covers of rock band Depeche Mode and punk band Sex Pistols. In 2010, Nouvelle Vague released a French-language album, Couleurs sur Paris. After these two albums did not receive enough recognition, the band went on hiatus. They rejoined in 2016, with the album I Could Be Happy. The album included covers of the likes of Altered Images, The Cure and The Ramones. I Could Be Happy additionally premiered  4 original songs by Nouvelle Vague.

Photo source: Discogs