Young Star Exclusive: How to have fun on a Friday
MANILA, Philippines - Just in time for their concert today, Young Star gets in on Tahiti 80 – the latest foreign act to make waves on our shores.
When Terno Recordings started accepting ticket reservations for their 10th anniversary show, 95 percent were made by women. Judging from gig attendance, label founder Toti Dalmacion saw this coming. That’s why he invited a guest band which appeals to girls. When I talked to them, the French guys of Tahiti 80 told me, “We don’t wear any underwear” — just what tonight’s audience wanna know (or not!) at Alphaland Southgate’s The Tents. Regardless, it’s this kind of daring that has kept these French guys exciting since their first album in 1999, and they have since consistently made good pop that lasts. They just launched a new record, “The Past, The Present & The Possible,” early this year, but to those who have kept track, their set will already include their greatest hits. A tip from vocalist Xavier Boyer: “We talk a lot to the crowd and ask them which songs they want to hear.” You know the drill: make your own set lists, and you better scream louder than me.
YOUNG STAR: You’re quite known for “Heartbeats.” How are your heartbeats today — what’s making you excited, and what’s making you hurt a little?
TAHITI 80: Our heartbeats are pumping fast ‘cause we’re going to the Philippines for the first time ever ... The only thing that can hurt is love: “Only love can break your heart” as Neil Young once sang.
Your music evokes images of a trip to the beach. What musical memories do you associate with this place?
The Beach Boys for sure, or I would say, in general, Californian artists — Shuggie Otis, The Association...
Pitchfork thinks you’re Phil Spector and Brian Wilson rolled into one, but they gave you a lukewarm rating for “The Past, the Present, and the Possible” (2011).
You know Pitchfork ... but what’s interesting is reading a very good review we had in Mojo magazine, and they used the same references, but instead, we had a better mark ... so it’s just numbers!
Which musicians do you think you are actually more like?
We do love ’60s music. The Beatles are the obvious foundation of our sound, but we love all kind of musical styles. Marcos Valle from Brazil is an amazing songwriter ... Marvin Gaye is our hero ... Lately, I’ve been raving about Cass McCombs. And obviously, we’re really into electronic music as well.
It’s funny how people are raving about Phoenix now, and you’re being compared to them, but you actually broke onto the scene earlier. How do you feel about that?
Some get luckier than others ... It’s all about hard work and luck in the music business, you know. They’re doing a great job. So yes, we’re both French bands with high-pitched singers, but I think we’re different ... But I agree with you, our album “Puzzle” (1999) came out first!
What are your favorite things from the past, during the present, and what would like to see possible in the future?
Music and football were better in the past! Just think about all the classic albums. They were all written in the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, etc. France was world champion in 1998! iPhones are the greatest things from the present, no doubt about it ... What’s possible in the future? Erm, new Tahiti 80 songs that will make an album as good as anything The Beach Boys ever released, great vegetarian food available everywhere ... and love for all!
