American culture is prevalent–and all too relevent–in Paris. French derrieres don iconic Levis jeans, and advertisements for the “Los Angeles fashion” available at Galeries Lafayette decorate the walls of Metro stops. It’s only time now that Americans reciprocate this love and become full-blown Francophiles.

And if bands like NYC’s La Laque keep breaking onto the music scene, it won’t be too hard to embrace Francophone culture. Though the band’s members are all American boys and girls, La Laque channels a certain je ne sais quoi that–until now–only the French have mastered. The band is fronted by a film-noir-vamp of a singer named Devery whose whispered vocals hint at the activities of the boudoir; it may not be a literal translation, but it does give La Laque a certain sensual, sophisticated edge derivative of French author Anaïs Nin’s erotica. Like most good NYC bands, there’s an element of ennui and moodiness in the music that grabs at the best parts of Interpol more than anything, but it is diluted with the girlish innocence of the Sundays and Françoise Hardy (and a bit of the Velvet Underground, too).

While Bloomingdales may not advertise Paris fashion in American subways, it’s reassuring that the City of Lights has not lost all of its romantic allure. With La Laque proving that there are not only Americans in Paris, but also some Paris in Americans, one thing is clear: C’est magnifique.

One Response to “Oh La Laque”

1. Me Says:
   June 21st, 2006 at 11:31 am

   Your article is short and sweet, I like it has, how do you say a certain je ne sais quoi, no?!

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