French musician Sébastien Tellier, known for his eclectic and genre-bending style, never quite achieved widespread fame after participating in the infamous Eurovision Song Contest. In fact, he felt largely overlooked by the general public despite his efforts to create something memorable at the event.
Tellier's experience with an impostor who impersonated him at parties and events was a defining moment for the artist. The stranger even landed Tellier a few gigs and meetings, but ultimately, nobody noticed the real Sébastien Tellier when he performed live.
This incident has been distilled into gold in his latest album, Kiss the Beast, which explores themes of identity and the blurred lines between reality and performance. "My name you steal it / Hat and success" - this is the essence of the song's chorus, with a chunky bassline, disco strings, and synths that crackle like fireworks.
Throughout his career, Tellier has walked the fine line between serious artistry and playful naivety. His collaboration with Air on 2004's Politics showcased his ability to merge different styles, while his Eurovision performance in 2001 was a defining moment of his unconventional style.
Tellier's fascination with identity is an ongoing theme in his work. He has explored it through songs like "Ketchup vs Genocide" and "Domesticated", which celebrated his life with his family via the prism of songs such as "Domestic Tasks".
When asked about his Eurovision performance, Tellier recalled that he initially planned to drive his golf cart straight off the stage, but ultimately arrived on stage carrying an inflatable globe full of helium. However, this stunt was deemed too dangerous by the show's producers, and it didn't receive much attention from the audience.
For Tellier, the disconnect between idea and execution is a fundamental issue. He believes that artists should strive to bridge gaps with their audience rather than simply creating something visually striking. In his latest album, he explores this theme through songs like "Mouton", where snatches of sheep baaing add to the playful atmosphere.
Tellier's latest album, Kiss the Beast, marks a new chapter in his career as an artist who is keenly aware of his age and wants to reach a bigger audience. Collaborations with artists such as Nile Rodgers and Kid Cudi demonstrate this shift towards more mainstream appeal.
While Tellier acknowledges that some people might find his concepts dull if presented in too simplistic a way, he believes it's essential to bring glamour to these ideas. His music is always infused with a sense of playfulness and curiosity, making him an artist who defies categorization.
Tellier's biggest WTF moment remains the Eurovision performance, which marked a turning point in his career as an artist who refuses to be defined by expectations or conventions. With Kiss the Beast, he aims to create music that will reach a wider audience and showcase his unique artistic vision.
Tellier's experience with an impostor who impersonated him at parties and events was a defining moment for the artist. The stranger even landed Tellier a few gigs and meetings, but ultimately, nobody noticed the real Sébastien Tellier when he performed live.
This incident has been distilled into gold in his latest album, Kiss the Beast, which explores themes of identity and the blurred lines between reality and performance. "My name you steal it / Hat and success" - this is the essence of the song's chorus, with a chunky bassline, disco strings, and synths that crackle like fireworks.
Throughout his career, Tellier has walked the fine line between serious artistry and playful naivety. His collaboration with Air on 2004's Politics showcased his ability to merge different styles, while his Eurovision performance in 2001 was a defining moment of his unconventional style.
Tellier's fascination with identity is an ongoing theme in his work. He has explored it through songs like "Ketchup vs Genocide" and "Domesticated", which celebrated his life with his family via the prism of songs such as "Domestic Tasks".
When asked about his Eurovision performance, Tellier recalled that he initially planned to drive his golf cart straight off the stage, but ultimately arrived on stage carrying an inflatable globe full of helium. However, this stunt was deemed too dangerous by the show's producers, and it didn't receive much attention from the audience.
For Tellier, the disconnect between idea and execution is a fundamental issue. He believes that artists should strive to bridge gaps with their audience rather than simply creating something visually striking. In his latest album, he explores this theme through songs like "Mouton", where snatches of sheep baaing add to the playful atmosphere.
Tellier's latest album, Kiss the Beast, marks a new chapter in his career as an artist who is keenly aware of his age and wants to reach a bigger audience. Collaborations with artists such as Nile Rodgers and Kid Cudi demonstrate this shift towards more mainstream appeal.
While Tellier acknowledges that some people might find his concepts dull if presented in too simplistic a way, he believes it's essential to bring glamour to these ideas. His music is always infused with a sense of playfulness and curiosity, making him an artist who defies categorization.
Tellier's biggest WTF moment remains the Eurovision performance, which marked a turning point in his career as an artist who refuses to be defined by expectations or conventions. With Kiss the Beast, he aims to create music that will reach a wider audience and showcase his unique artistic vision.