April March: The American Voice of French Pop

April March is an American singer, songwriter, and animator who carved a unique niche as a leading interpreter of 1960s-style French pop and ye-ye music. Hailing from New York but finding her musical soul in France, her breakthrough came with the 1995 album Paris in April and its enduring single "Chick Habit," which became a cult hit and licensing favorite.

Early career

Born Elinor Blake in 1965, she began her artistic life on the East Coast, working as an animator for shows like Pee-wee's Playhouse. Her musical journey started with the garage band the Pussywillows before a fascination with Serge Gainsbourg and vintage French pop took root. This led to her 1994 debut, April March Sings Along with the Makers, a collaboration that established her retro-French aesthetic on the Sympathy for the Record Industry label.

Breakthrough

Her major breakthrough arrived in 1995 with the release of Paris in April on the French label Vogue Records. The album, a collection of original songs and classic French covers performed in both English and French, garnered critical acclaim. Its standout track, "Chick Habit," a French adaptation of Gainsbourg's "Laisse tomber les filles," gained massive exposure through its inclusion in the soundtrack of Quentin Tarantino's Death Proof over a decade later.

Key tracks

Chick Habit — This adaptation became her signature song, achieving cult status through film and television licensing.

Mon ange gardien — A dreamy, original ye-ye style track that exemplifies her skill in crafting authentic-sounding French pop.

La lune est là — A breezy, infectious duet with French singer Bertrand Burgalat that highlights her collaborative ease within the genre.

I'm in Love Again — A vibrant cover of the Brigitte Bardot hit, showcasing her ability to channel the spirit of 1960s French icons.

She continued to build her catalog with albums like Chrominance Decoder (1999) and Triggers (2017), collaborating with artists like Air and Ronnie Spector. Her work remains a staple in boutique record stores and on the playlists of Francophiles, celebrated for its meticulous recreation and heartfelt embodiment of a specific musical era.

Fans of April March's nostalgic French pop often enjoy the sophisticated stylings of Charlotte Gainsbourg, who carries a similar Franco-American artistic lineage. The playful retro energy of Melody Prochet also resonates with March's aesthetic. Listeners might also appreciate the modern ye-ye revivalism of La Femme and the dreamy, baroque pop of Julia Holter for its intricate vocal and musical arrangements.

April March's distinctive blend of American indie sensibility and classic French pop ensures her music remains in regular rotation on specialty radio formats. Her songs are featured on online radio streams dedicated to vintage international pop, independent music radio stations with a global focus, and eclectic FM stations that champion niche genres and cult artists.

The music of April March, the American chanteuse of French pop, can be heard across various stations featured on our website. Listeners can discover or enjoy her iconic tracks by tuning into the curated radio stations available on onairium.com.