Pigalle Album Review

Gifted Christchurch singer-songwriter Flip Grater brings her yearning, beautiful indie folk to our ears via the sultry Parisian musical base she currently calls home.

Pigalle, Flip Grater’s fourth album, is aptly named after the Studio Pigalle Paris, in which these delicious 11 tracks has been recorded; in an area renowned for its artistic soul, creative residents such as Dali or Picasso and its Moulin Rouge adjacency.

Playing an incredible influence, Flip Grater almost channels former Pigalle resident Edith Piaf on haunting The Smell of Strangers, it’s got a sassy Marianne Faithfull feel to it and is commanding in its lyrics accusatory purr. Across the album Flip Grater enhances and showcases her insightful grasp on the modern day milieu of love and relationships.

Album highlight and opener The Quit packs P.J. Harvey punch and is also the track that launched many a ‘The Almighty Johnsons brought me here’ YouTube comment; which, also nicely garners an international buzz for what is an honest, introspective collection of music born from the solo travelling our intrepid songstress has undertaken through Argentina, L.A., Italy and of course Paris.

Flip’s not alone in her musical efforts; she’s joined on Pigalle by Geoff Maddock (Goldenhorse), performs a duet with Poni Hoax’s Nicolas Ker and a slew of skilled French musicians including Babx.

Pigalle is essential laid-back indie cool that’s packed with forthright vigour. Fortunately, New Zealand will be treated to a generous tour schedule from Flip Grater this April, playing Pigalle tracks to Kiwi audiences for the first time, with stops in; Wellington, Dunedin, Christchurch, Auckland and Banks Peninsula – definitely check your local listings for date and ticket details.