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Helene Faussart.(Interview)
The current boycott by some Americans of all things French does not include Les Nubians, a pair of French-African soul sisters who have just completed a hit concert tour in the United States to support their new album, "One Step Forward" (Virgin). Raised in war-torn Chad and educated in France, where they encountered potent racism, Helene Faussart, 28, and her sister Celia, 24, have seen firsthand how music can heal souls--including their own. Though they sing in French, their lushly melodic Afropean hip-hop sound translates into any language. Les Nubians will return to the United States this summer for another tour, followed by a suite of European dates. Helene spoke with NEWSWEEK's Dana Thomas last week about France, America and the difficulties of bridging the two. Excerpt:
THOMAS: Your mother is from Cameroon, your father is French and you were raised in Chad. How was it to grow up in a country ravaged by war?
FAUSSART: You adjust your behavior, your way of living. You see people suffering, and even if they are suffering they smile, and they love and believe in life. So when I suffer from little frustrations or crazy thoughts or jealousies, I realize I'm being stupid. It's nothing. Nothing at all.
Is that experience reflected in your music?
In the first album we spoke out about peace. And some critics told us, "Don't you think talking about peace is naive?" No, it's not. Peace is very expensive. You have to give yourself. We don't dwell on the morbid, describing flesh, blood, destruction and pain. We're not saying war is good or bad. Instead we offer a little message: if war happens, maybe we are all responsible.
The United States embarked on the war with Iraq without France, launching a huge wave of anti-French sentiment in the U.S. just as you were going on tour there. How did your audiences react?
We had no bad reaction from the audience, never ever. We were shocked by the news and the anti-French political situation, but we didn't get that ourselves. I truly believe the people came to our show to listen to some good music, and they were not into all that "Oh, they're French."
- Higher Octave Music Artists Garner Two 2003 Grammy(R) Nominations: Les Nubians...
- Press release article from: PR Newswire December 15, 2003 700+ words
...neo-soul/R&B sensation -- Les Nubians received a nod for Best Urban/Alternative...Originating from Bordeaux, France, Les Nubians -- comprised of sisters Helene and...J'veux D'la Musique" spotlights Les Nubians' sophisticated yet sensual charm...
- Les Nubians; Singers.(Brief Article)(Biography)
- Magazine article from: Vanity Fair November 1, 2004 700+ words
Voila Les Nubians, a sister act straight outta Bordeaux representing the new, multicultural...position for a French act in two decades. When not touring the world, Les Nubians now split their time between Paris and Philadelphia.
- Les Nubians return with new CD, 'One Step Forward'.(in the Spotlight)
- Magazine article from: Jet April 28, 2003 700+ words
The French connection-the sister act Les Nubians--is back for a second American invasion with its recently...see that their music gets the recognition it deserves." Les Nubians will be kicking off a national tour this summer in July.
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- Press release article from: Business Wire July 23, 2003 700+ words
...makes stops in 18 U.S. cities as well as dates in Vancouver BC and Toronto, Canada with the French born R&B duo Les Nubians, featuring the progressive hip hop group, Schoolz of Thought. The AfroSoulious tour kicks off in Seattle, Washington on...
- Soul Sisters--Les Nubians.(French musicians)(Brief Article)(Interview)
- Magazine article from: Interview Kidjo, Angelique October 1, 2001 700+ words
THIS DUO'S GOT THE FUNK ANGELIQUE KIDJO: Princesses Nubiennes, your debut album, did surprisingly well in the States. What is special about the French music scene? HELENE FAUSSART: It's extremely diverse, thanks to immigration. We have a big world music scene in France, as well as jazz, pop,
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- Press release article from: PR Newswire March 2, 2004 700+ words
...Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jamie Foxx, Pete Yorn, Vincent Gallo, Les Nubians, Paul Van Dyke, Estella Gardinier, Sheryl Crow, Rachel...redefines smooth. S GUARO is imported by and bottled in the United States for S Spirits, LLC, Malibu, CA. 35% ALC/VOL. ABOUT...
- On the Record.
- News wire article from: Asia Africa Intelligence Wire June 15, 2003 700+ words
...trip, but everything works out fine in the end. Artist: Les Nubians; Album: One Step Forward (EMI Music) Escape from the...Cameroonian mother, the singing sisters made their debut in the United States with their 1999 album Princesses Nubiennes. A mixture of...
- SIRIUS Announces New Programming Lineup; New Music Genres Now Found Only On...
- Press release article from: PR Newswire January 8, 2003 700+ words
...Sizzla, Fat Joe, Floetry, Cuban Link, Fuera De Ley, Les Nubians, and Jamiroquai. Wax (42) World class DJs show off their...110) Tune in to find out what's happening in the Eastern United States, from Maine to Mississippi. TWC East will help you plan...
- On the Record, JAKARTA POST.
- News wire article from: The America's Intelligence Wire June 15, 2003 700+ words
...trip, but everything works out fine in the end. Artist: Les Nubians; Album: One Step Forward (EMI Music) Escape from the...Cameroonian mother, the singing sisters made their debut in the United States with their 1999 album Princesses Nubiennes. A mixture of...
- French revolution injects soul into dance music.
- News wire article from: Miami Herald (Miami, FL) April 19, 2002 700+ words
...Kunda, Angelique Kidjo, Khaled, Manu Dibango, Zap Mama, Les Nubians and Rachid Taha have injected a new flavor into the French...succumbing in 1991, is now a cult hero in England and the United States. Much of his catalog has been re-released here; the English...
Source: HighBeam Research, Helene Faussart.(Interview)