His music has appeared everywhere from sports montages to a L’Oréal ad and even an episode of Come Dine With Me. With over 63 million plays on Spotify alone, it’s by far his biggest streaming hit. “Yes, in a way it is a classic,” he says, setting aside his nicotine for a moment in favor of caffeine. “It’s an important song for a lot of people. They play it at weddings, or at funerals—during life’s meaningful moments. So it holds a special place in the audience’s heart.”
Connecting with listeners has always been his aim. Only now, he’s doing it through grand pop songs about impostors, wolves, and sheep.
Kiss the Beast is out January 30. Tellier will perform at Koko in London on March 23.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about Sébastien Tellier and his statement regarding the Eurovision Song Contest
Beginner General Questions
Q1 Who is Sébastien Tellier
A Hes a French singer songwriter and multiinstrumentalist known for his eclectic dreamy and often retrofuturistic pop music Hes a cult figure in the alternative music scene
Q2 What is he talking about with Eurovision
A He represented France in the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest with his song Divine He famously arrived on stage in a golf cart and gave a very stylish lowkey performance
Q3 Did he really say I expected to become famous after Eurovision but no one paid any attention
A Yes thats a direct and famous quote from him It captures his ironic and humorous take on the experience highlighting the contrast between the massive Eurovision audience and his subsequent niche fame
Q4 How did he actually do in the Eurovision contest
A He placed 18th out of 25 entries which is considered a relatively poor result for France
Q5 So is he actually famous
A Not in a mainstream charttopping sense He is highly respected and wellknown within indie music film and fashion circles His music has a dedicated international following
Advanced Detailed Questions
Q6 Why did he expect fame from Eurovision if his style is so unconventional
A Thats the irony Eurovision is known for both kitschy pop and bold artistic statements Tellier with his labels support likely saw it as a unique platform to present his avantgarde style to a huge audience hoping it would catapult him to wider recognition
Q7 What was the reaction in France to his Eurovision entry
A It was controversial Some loved its chic minimalist style and saw it as a breath of fresh air Others criticized it for being too weird too slow and not competitive enough for the Eurovision format The quote reflects that mixed reception
Q8 Has Eurovision helped his career in any way even if he didnt get mainstream fame
A Absolutely It significantly raised his international profile It introduced his music to millions who wouldnt have heard
