Gaëtan Roussel

Gaëtan Roussel, a French vocalist, composer, and guitarist, first achieved prominence through the rock outfits Louise Attaque and Tarmac before launching his independent work in 2010. The quartet Louise Attaque formed in Paris during 1994, bringing together violinist Arnaud Samuel, bassist Robin Feix, drummer Alexandre Margraff, and Roussel on vocals and guitar. Its self-titled debut, released in 1997, ranks among the most commercially dominant French rock albums ever issued. Although initial momentum proved modest, the record eventually held the top spot on the French albums chart for ten weeks, accumulated 172 weeks on the listing altogether, moved two-and-a-half million units, and secured the band a Victoire de la Musique prize as Group of the Year. The follow-up, Comme on a Dit from 2000, likewise reached number one and earned a Victoire de la Musique for Rock Album of the Year, yet its overall impact did not match the scale of the first release. Seeking renewal, Roussel and Samuel departed Louise Attaque to establish Tarmac alongside guitarist Philippe Almosnino, bassist Pierre Dubost, and drummer Yvo Abadi. The new ensemble issued L'Atelier in 2001, Notre Époque in 2003, and Concert au Réservoir in 2004, none of which entered the Top Ten. Roussel later rejoined Louise Attaque for the long-delayed third album À Plus Tard Crocodile in 2005, which climbed to number two. After parting from the group once more, he devoted extended time to work with Alain Bashung on the chart-topping Bleu Pétrole, released in 2008. Two years afterward, Roussel introduced his first solo album, Ginger, a Top Ten release highlighted by the single “Help Myself (Nous Ne Faisons Que Passer).”