Nouvelle Vague

Nouvelle Vague is a French bossa nova cover project from Paris, active from 2003. It is led by Marc Collin and Olivier Libaux and works with a rotating group of female vocalists. The project’s line-up includes Liset Alea, Alex, Camille, Marina Céleste, Daniella D'Ambrosio, Sandra Dee, Sophie Delila, Eloisia, Phoebe Killdeer, Leelou, Женя Любич, Marianne Elise, Nadeah, Mélanie Pain, Silja, Sir Alice and Karina Zeviani.

Style and concept

The group specialises in bossa nova versions of songs associated mainly with new wave, and also draws on jazz and lounge. Its recordings rework tracks by artists such as Dead Kennedys, The Smiths, Joy Division, Public Image Ltd., Depeche Mode and Bauhaus. The singers are chosen to perform songs they do not already know, so each cover keeps a distinct interpretation.

Formation and early work

Marc Collin and Olivier Libaux begin working together in 1998 before forming Nouvelle Vague. Libaux has played with several French pop bands during the 1990s. The project’s name reflects its idea of turning new wave material into Brazilian-style arrangements.

Albums and releases

The group’s first album, Nouvelle Vague, appears in Europe in 2004 and later receives U.S. distribution in 2005. Its second album, Bande à Part, follows in 2006. In 2007 the project releases Coming Home, which contains songs from films arranged in the group’s style, and Nouvelle Vague presents New Wave, a covers collection focused on new wave artists.

Associated vocalists

Among the singers involved are Camille, Alexandra Pavlou of Spring and Suburbia, Mélanie Pain, Marina Céleste and Phoebe Killdeer, who also performs with Phoebe Killdeer and the Short Straws. The project’s vocalists include both French and Brazilian performers.

Other names

The name has also been used by other groups, but the Paris-based project is the one associated with Collin and Libaux.