Zazie
Live at Brussels on 9 June 2007
Background information
Birth name	Isabelle de Truchis de Varennes
Born	(1964-04-18) 18 April 1964 (age 48) Boulogne-Billancourt, France
Genres	Pop rock
Years active	1992–present
Labels	Universal Music, Wrasse Records (UK)
Website	zazie...universalmusic.fr

Zazie (born Isabelle Marie Anne de Truchis de Varennes on 18 April 1964 in Boulogne-Billancourt) is a French singer and songwriter. Zazie co-produces all her albums. She is noted for her playful use of language, which has led to the coining of the French word zazisme, or "Zazie-ism".

Biography [link]

Early life [link]

Isabelle de Truchis de Varennes was nicknamed "Zazie" in reference to the title character of the Raymond Queneau novel, Zazie dans le metro. Her mother was a music teacher and her father, Hervé de Truchis de Varennes, was an architect. At home, they listened to Georges Brassens, Jacques Brel and Barbara, as well as classical music. Inspired, Zazie began learning to play the violin at the age of ten, later teaching herself to play the piano and guitar. After high school, Zazie began studies to become a physiotherapist; however, her classic beauty and nearly six foot stature caught the attention of modelling agents, and she abandoned her schooling to become a fashion model.

1992: Initial Forays into Music and Je, Tu, Ils [link]

In 1990, Zazie tried to start a musical career. She signed a contract with Phonogram in 1991. In 1992 she released Je, tu, ils, her first album recorded in the studios of Peter Gabriel. She collaborated for the first time with Pascal Obispo on the song "Un, deux, trois, soleil". She wrote almost all the tracks of the album and participated in the composition. The album had minor success, and the single "Sucré salé" was ranked #46 on the Top 50 (French SNEP Singles Chart). The following year, Zazie was awarded 'Best New Female Pop Artist of the Year' (révélation variétés féminine de l’année) at the Victoires de la musique. The other two singles from the albums were much less successful, but the singer's career was launched. Her record label agreed to sign for a second album.

From Je, Tu, Ils, Zazie distinguished herself as a songwriter by crafting songs notable for their wit, alliteration, homophonies and double entendres.

From 1995: Success [link]

Zazie, Paris, 6 October 2009

In 1995, she released her second album Zen, which was co-written by and co-produced with Vincent-Marie Bouvot. The album produced the singles "Zen" and "Homme sweet homme". Her 1996 single "Un point c'est toi" from the same album was discussed on Canada's MuchMusic TV program Too Much 4 Much due to its controversial content. Ultimately, the discussion panel deemed the video okay for audiences. In the video, a group of four smitten women, including Zazie, follow a pair of men down to a lake. There, the two men strip off their clothes and swim in the water. Zazie fantasizes about undressing one of the men and kissing him. However, her fantasies are spoiled as the two men kiss each other.

In 1997, Pascal Obispo and Zazie released the single "Les meilleurs ennemis".

Her 1998 album Made in Love was co-produced by Ali Staton, Pierre Jaconelli, and herself. The album photos were taken by fashion designer Jean-Baptiste Mondino. The songs "Ça fait mal et ça fait rien", "Tous des anges", and "Tout le monde" were released as singles. This album was followed by a live album, Made in Live, the next year. In 1999 she also wrote a song for Jane Birkin.

In 2001, Zazie teamed up with Axel Bauer on the single "À ma place". It was her most successful single in France, reaching number four on the French charts.

Zazie once again addressed homosexuality on her 2002 single "Adam et Yves" from her 2001 album La Zizanie. This album was produced solely by Pierre Jaconelli. Other singles included "Rue de la paix" and "Danse avec les loops". In 2003, she released another live album, Ze Live.

Her 2004 album Rodéo was co-produced with Jean-Pierre Pilot and Philippe Paradis. The video for the single "Excuse-moi" features Zazie playing the role of an Indian woman who leaves her cheating husband. She followed this album up with a live album, Rodéo Tour in 2006.

Her sixth album, Totem, was released in February 2007. Like her previous album, it was co-produced with Jean-Pierre Pilot and Philippe Paradis. The "Totem Tour" began on 1 July.

Also in 2007, she wrote several songs for Christophe Willem's album, Inventaire.

In June 2010, Zazie released a new single "Avant l'amour" (Before Love). Avant l'amour was the first single from the album "Za7ie"; it reached #54 on the French SNEP radio airplay chart.

"Za7ie" was constructed as a concept project of 49 songs, split into seven theme albums of seven songs each. A shorter version with 14 songs was released in September 2010, with the 49 song project released as a box set in November of the same year.

Other Activites [link]

Zazie made her acting debut in the 1998 film by Didier Le Pêcheur "J'aimerais pas crever un dimanche" (Don't Let Me Die on a Sunday).,^[1][2]

Discography [link]

Studio albums [link]

Live albums [link]

Best of [link]

¹ Reached #1 on the French compilations chart.

Singles [link]

^A Promotional release only.

Awards [link]

• Victoires de la musique :
  • Musical show, tour or concert of the year (2006)
  • Female group of artists of the year (2002)
  • Female artist of the year (1998)
  • Music video of the year: Larsen, directed by Philippe Andre; (1996)
  • Popular music Female révélation of the year (1993)
• NRJ Music Awards :
  • Best French language song (2002) with Axel Bauer for À ma place

Personal life [link]

Zazie and her former partner, Fabien Cahen, have a daughter, Lola, who was born on 16 August 2002.

References [link]

External links [link]

• (French) Official site
• Biography of Zazie from Radio France Internationale
• (French) Zazie le Zite, unofficial website
• Zazie's UK Label
• (French) Le Site des Anges, unofficial website