On Ecoute…Sam Sauvage

A viral video sees a young French singer-songwriter on the up.

It is rare that we are stopped in our tracks upon first hearing a new French chanson, but that’s what singer-songwriter Sam Sauvage achieved with his sensationally funky and fun single, Les gens qui dansent (j’adore).

The accompanying viral video, in which the floppy-fringed, baggy-suited dandy chanteur is seen dancing with locals in various spots around Paris, doubled our appreciation of this brilliant new talent. Sauvage (real name Hugo Brebion) grew up in Boulogne-sur-Mer (Pas-de-Calais) and as a guitar-playing teenager, was influenced by Bob Dylan – he even took up the harmonica to mimic his idol.

Other performers that would shape his musical direction included Alain Bashung, Serge Gainsbourg, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, then later Zaho de Sagazan, Bertrand Belin, Les Rita Mitsouko and genius American popsters Sparks, whose dry lyrics are very much in the Sauvage style.
Meanwhile, latter day acts such as Clara Luciani, Juliette Armanet and Pete Doherty have also influenced his work.

Sauvage is a mesmerising live performer too you can follow his progress on Instagram: @samsauvageoff

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Lead photo credit : Sam Sauvage, Photo: Facebook