Ginkgoa

Ginkgoa is an electro-swing group formed by New York singer and actor Nicolle Rochelle and French songwriter Antoine Chatenet. The project begins in 2010, after Rochelle spends four years touring Europe in Jérôme Savary’s stage show À la recherche de Joséphine. She finds Chatenet while he is looking for a singer, and the two meet by chance the same evening in a Paris jazz club, where the collaboration takes shape.

Style and sound

The duo builds songs around strong compositions and flexible performances, combining French chanson with a wide range of influences. Their music draws on references such as Les Rita Mitsouko, Pink Martini, Erykah Badu, Caro Emerald and Édith Piaf, and mixes languages, eras and styles. The result is a cabaret-like approach that is closely associated with dance and stage energy.

Career

Ginkgoa gains notice at the Francofolies in 2011, where it receives the festival’s “coup de coeur” prize. After two years of concerts, including a tour of 80 dates, the group signs with Sony ATV Publishing. Its track De New York à Paris later becomes associated with Rochas perfume advertising. The group is also preparing its first album.