Stéphane Mondino is a French pop/rock singer discovered by Francis CABREL. After releasing his first album, Saint-Lazare, in April 2004, Stéphane Mondino returned to the shelves in March 2007 with the opus Roll Over, which experienced some twists and delays during its gestation. An album with varied tones: a harder and more rock-oriented sound on the tracks L’avenir sera chaud and Freaks, clearer and warmer on Roll Over and L’hiver, or even lighter and more pop on Incognito and Monnaie. For this return to Nice, he will offer us tracks from these last 2 albums plus some exclusives from his next album which will be released in 2008…
Interview with Stéphane Mondino conducted on November 9 in the presence of Auren:
Nice Premium: Tell us how you became a singer.
Auren: Trained as a pianist, passionate about music since I was little, singing became my escape during my higher education… Then an obvious choice, then an obsession when I began writing my own songs…
Stéphane Mondino: I’ve been a fan of Daniel Balavoine since my early age. My father passed on his love of song to me. One night, as a teenager, I transformed into a singer and dropped out of school. It’s been 16 years since then, no other transformations in sight…
NP: Your firsts:
-First song performed:
Auren: La bohème in a duet with my father on my 20th birthday!!!
Stéphane Mondino: “The Singer” by D. Balavoine, at age 3
-First song written:
Auren: The first note
Stéphane Mondino: “Vietnam” inaudible….
-First performance:
Auren: January 19, 2006, at La Grange aux Belles in Paris
Stéphane Mondino: at my parents’, dining room transformed into a Zenith, three spotlights, 30 classmates, and candy distribution during intermission… it was in 1988
-First instrument:
Auren: piano
Stéphane Mondino: one-finger piano
-First important encounter in your career:
Auren: Paul Ives, my Pygmalion composer, then Michael Jones! It’s impossible to cite just one meeting as both are crucial in my artistic journey.
Stéphane Mondino: as a child, Daniel Balavoine. As a teen, Alice Dona. As a ‘big kid’, Francis Cabrel
-First visit to the Côte d’Azur:
Auren: My first visit: when I was a student at EDHEC in Nice from 2000 to 2002. Otherwise, as an artist on May 14, 2007, at the Théâtre de la Tour, opening for Stéphane Mondino.
Stéphane Mondino: 1995, in Cassis, but I don’t think that counts as the Côte d’Azur… However, I can tell you about my trips to Côte d’Armor
NP: Your latest:
-Last artistic dream:
Auren: To perform at the Olympia, followed by a 50-date tour… And a duet with Tom Chaplin, the singer of Keane
Stéphane Mondino: a dressing room with a pot of peanuts
-Last artistic crush:
Auren: No Jazz
Stéphane Mondino: Elliot Smith, Shadow Parade, and Stanislas’ latest song “Le Manège” very beautiful…
-Last album purchased:
Auren: Katie Melua
Stéphane Mondino: Paul McCartney but it’s not great
-Last concert seen:
Auren: Zazie
Stéphane Mondino: Marie Cherrier
-Last visit to the Côte d’Azur:
Auren: last weekend, to rehearse with my guitarist who is Niçoise!
Stéphane Mondino: May 14, 2007, I played at the Théâtre de la Tour in Nice and on June 30 to play Rugby at the RRCN Tournament. I’ve been back since but it doesn’t count, I was in disguise.
NP: Auren, how would you define Stéphane Mondino’s style?
Auren: Pop-rock, great author, great melodist, I love it!
NP: Stéphane, how would you define Auren’s style?
Stéphane Mondino: Beautiful French variety tinged with pop, a little early Balavoine side which I like…
NP: Auren, which song from your repertoire could Stéphane perform?
Auren: Retenir la passion
NP: Stéphane, which song from your repertoire could Auren perform?
Stéphane Mondino: Du bonheur du coté de chez toi
NP: What will be your news in 2008?
Auren: Release of my first album, promo, solo concerts, and opening for Michael Jones…
Stéphane Mondino: Touring, I hope the release of my next album “Les vents tourneront”…
NP: Even if the year isn’t over, what do you take away from 2007?
Auren: The year of change for me, I quit my job to focus solely on my project, working on my voice, piano, my lyrics, and my music. Also performing, with nearly 30 concerts, opening for Michaël Jones and the band EL CLUB, the magical encounter with the audience and the first fans. The beginning of studio work and collaboration with Michaël Jones. And also, the death of my composer and Pygmalion Paul Ives, I will dedicate my album to him, his passing was a real shock but I am sure he hears me from up there! A tribute concert will take place on November 20 in Paris at the Espace Jemmapes.
Stéphane Mondino: A difficult year, my last album “Roll Over” didn’t get the expected attention… The media is getting harder to convince and the market is challenging. The few spots available are taken by laundry detergent sellers… I feel it has always been tough even in the times of our elders, the Ferré, the Brassens… We must fight, there are also great people who support us.
It was also a year of changes and the first recorded notes of the next opus.
NP: You are going to perform on a Nice stage (Théâtre de l’impasse) for several days. What do these concerts mean to you?
Auren: These concerts are very important to me because it’s the first time I play my entire repertoire and headline! I will be accompanied by Pierre my guitarist and I also have great luck as Paul Baile, a talented saxophonist, will join us on some evenings for a few tracks! So it’s a first!!! I’m really excited.
Stéphane Mondino: It’s fantastic to be in a venue for four days. In my little world, we rarely go beyond two evenings. So it’s a good way to “live” this show in different ways and then in Nice, I’m very close to my homeland…
NP: How do you view the Nice music scene from Paris? Who do you know?
Auren: I know little about the Nice scene… Except for the rock band Solid State because my guitarist is part of it… The band is currently preparing its second album.
Stéphane Mondino: Not many people, sorry. Jenifer? Is she from Nice? But if we’re talking about real songs, I think every region has its gems. You’ll have to show me…
NP: To conclude, what would you like to say to the Nice audience?
Auren: I hope they will be numerous. I’m eager to share my universe with them, to share my passion, and my love for music. And above all THANK YOU for your support…
Stéphane Mondino: See you soon
