Biography
Vincent Delerm’s compositions evoke the refined, wryly narrative-driven songcraft pioneered by American tunesmiths such as Randy Newman and Paul Simon. He is the offspring of distinguished novelist Philippe Delerm and children’s writer-illustrator Martine Delerm. His birth occurred on August 31, 1976, in Evreux. Upbringing steeped him in the wistful, romantic melodies of French icons Alain Souchon and Françoise Hardy. Teenage years brought an affinity for British post-punk acts the Cure and Joy Division, prompting him at seventeen to launch his own outfit, Triste Sire. While enrolled in modern literature at the University at Rouen, he persisted in songwriting and self-taught piano, later extending his interests into theater and cinema. Music nevertheless commanded his deepest commitment, yielding a solo debut performance in 1998 at Rouen’s Ronsard Hall. A Parisian cabaret circuit followed the next year. Early in 2000 he met comedian Jérôme Deschamps, who passed a demo to France Inter producers and secured an invitation for the unknown artist to appear on the network’s flagship program Sur le Pont des Artistes that February. Support dates with Matthieu Bermeulen came next, and in summer 2001 Delerm opened for Thomas Fersen throughout an extended residency at Paris’ Cigale Club. When the run ended, Fersen steered him to the Tôt ou Tard label, which released the self-titled debut LP in spring 2002. Drawing heavily on his passion for French cinema and nodding to stars Jean-Louis Trintignant and Irène Jacob, the album surpassed 100,000 copies and prompted a tour that included five nights at Le Bataclan. Early 2003 brought the Victoire de la Musique award for best debut album. Guests Keren Ann and Dominique A appeared on the 2004 follow-up Kensington Square. Despite solid sales, Delerm paused his recording career to pen the stage piece Le Fait d’Habiter Bagnolet, mounted at Paris’ Théâtre du Rond-Point late that year under Sophie LeCarpentier’s direction. Third album Les Piqûres d’Araignée arrived in autumn 2006 and featured a contribution from Neil Hannon of The Divine Comedy on “Favourite Song.” In 2008 he issued his fourth record, Quinze Chansons.
Singles
