François Virot

rançois Virot releases his first album – at least the first that is not a burnt CD-R. Presented with a yes-no question, both the public and the critics unanimously went for the first option. He was praised for the nervous urge and the staggering melodies of his lo-fi pop folk, and even got nicknamed a one-person Animal Collective. He found himself dragged out from the invisibility of Lyon’s squats and rushed hastily on stage. He was expected to give his opinion, but no one realised how unprepared he was. He had crafted his songs for himself, the hard way, without hindsight. For a hyperactive such has himself, versed into song-writing since he was a child, naivety was not a ploy, and DIY is not a fancy gadget. The honey of his first success had a bitter taste. « The first time they dimmed the lights at one of my concert, I didn’t understand what was going on. I came on stage, everyone cheered. I needed to change a string, so I said so, the crowd answered by applauding once again. I changed my string, I finished my beer, 10 minutes had passed, the lights were still on me. People found the scene delightful, they were laughing hysterically. For me, it was hell. There have been many moments such as this one where I felt at odds.”