Barth DR

"Under the Trampoline" 

Barth is a partisan of all things British, from the scuzzy rock scene, to the greasy breakfasts. His second album, "Under the Trampoline," has just been released in France to critical acclaim. So what's so special about this eccentric young artist the Sunday Times is calling ‘Barking but brilliant'? Barthelemy Corbelet learned to play the guitar at the tender age of 11. A quiet school life in the sleepy French town of Rouen. A degree in anthropology brilliantly cut short. Then he found himself working as a shop assistant at Cash Converters to make ends meet. That is until he saw the light at the end of the tunnel... the Euro Tunnel.

Discovered by Andy Ross, celebrated founder of the UK's Food Records (Blur, Jesus Jones, Idlewild ...) ‘Barth' quickly made a name for himself in the underground bars of London in 2002. The recording of his debut album "Essence of Giraffe" (Boss Music) ensued as well as a number of concerts, including the opening spot on The Pretenders' Franco-British leg of their European tour.

"England is my spiritual home," he says, the red brick houses and rain reminding him of his home town Rouen. He's inspired by the Beatles, by baked beans and PG Tips tea. So writing and singing in English is just natural to him. "I like the simplicity of the English language ... or should I say the way it lets you be concise ... for 3 words in English we often use 10 in French."

 Barth prefers to get to the point. "I love the fact that I don't quite understand everything I hear, write or sing - the nuances that you can never quite master in a language that isn't your own. It allows me to be that little bit more "absurd" in my work, it gives me a surreal edge."

 Barth's music isn't like anything else you've heard before. His new album is a shining example of class, nonchalance, precision and panache. The guy manages to churn out pop gems, using little more that an 8-track tape recorder and his electric guitar - the DIY approach at its best.  He writes all of his own lyrics. His voice is unique.

He's charming and original... and he's on the rise. This month he played the acclaimed Radio Nova soirée ‘Les Nuits Zébrées' which showcases promising new artists. He's been play-listed on national radio and his first single ‘The Last Wig' has even been used to soundtrack a commercial on TV.

"Under the Trampoline" (Ici d'Ailleurs) is out now. http://www.barthroom.com