The Actette: MELANIE PAIN

The Release: BYE BYE MANCHESTER

The Formats: COMPACT DISC & DIGITAL ALBUM

The Label: fierce panda

The Catalogue Number: NONG 82CD

The Release Date: SEPTEMBER 23RD 2013

Everyone's favourite French indie-pop dream machine MELANIE PAIN (pronounced pan, as in panda) has confirmed a UK tour in the autumn ‚ full dates below. The shows tie in with the release of her 'Bye Bye Manchester' album and Black Widow single, a duet with Ed Harcourt, both of which are launched on fierce panda on September 23rd. The album tracklisting looks like this:

1. 7 ou 8 Fois
2. Ailleurs
3. Bye Bye Manchester
4. Just A Girl
5. Fluo
6. Je Laisse Tomber
7. Miami
8. Black Widow (featuring Ed Harcourt)
9. Ca Grandit
10. Good Enough
11. Non
12. How Bad Can I Be

As a leading light in acclaimed French collective Nouvelle Vague, Melanie Pain has seduced audiences across the world with the sassy sweetness of both originals and cover versions of tunes such as 'This Is Not A Love Song', 'Teenage Kicks' and 'Love Will Tear Us Apart'. Indeed, her recent live appearances (including a springtime headline show at the Jazz Cafe and a slot at the farewell party at the Bull & Gate supporting her colleague-in-dark-charms Ed Harcourt) have been thoroughly illuminated by deadpan run versions of The Smiths' 'Panic'.

Its a mellow method she continues to use to this day. After releasing her debut solo album 'My Name' in 2009 and touring internationally for two years Melanie secluded herself in spiritual second home Manchester - Morrissey is a draw for young Parisiennes, too - armed with only an autoharp, ukelele and miniature Casio keyboard. Eight weeks later she left town. Bye bye, Manchester indeed.

Back in France she teamed up with renowned producer and composer Albin De La Simone, who has worked with Vanessa Paradis, to record the album. Taking the fragile skeletons created in the NorthWest Melanies songs were fleshed out with exotic twangs, taut basslines and cutely knowing '60s musical references. The album sees Melanie singing of running away in 'Ailleurs', of a desire for a fresh start in 'Bye Bye Manchester', the fear of failure on '7 Ou 8 Fois' and the wickedness of bereavement in the terrifically dark 'Black Widow', a murderous duet with the aforementioned Mr Harcourt. Somewhere between the spirit of Serge Gainsbourg and a surge of pure pop excitement, it all adds up to a classy sophomore effort shot through with a witty, vintage cinematic feel.

Back in the spring the 'Just A Girl' digital EP release reintroduced Melanie to the UK public with a dash of British bon viveur and a soupcon of sophisticated Continental crooning, ie she sung songs in both English AND French, like. Ecoutez et repeatez, in every possible way...

Melanie Pain live:
SEPTEMBER 25TH LONDON BUSH HALL
tickets from HERE
Support from Ethav

SEPTEMBER 26TH OXFORD JERICHO
Support from Matt Maltese

SEPTEMBER 27TH MANCHESTER DEAF INSTITUTE
Support from Lucy And The Caterpillar

SEPTEMBER 28TH EDINBURGH VOODOO ROOMS
Support from Jessy Bates

SEPTEMBER 30TH DUBLIN WORKMAN'S CLUB
support from Carmen Browne

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