I
Buzy

About:

14 February 1957

Marie-Claire Girod (artistname Buzy) was born in Metz. After high school she began to study medicine, then letters. To pass the time she learned to tap-dance and sing. This earned her a role of Columbia in the Rocky Horror Picture Show. In the show she is noticed by Etienne Roda-Gil and signed for his label as a singer in 1980. Her first single ‘Dyslexia’ was an instant hit and sold 500.000 copies (being the best selling single of 1981). The same year she released the album ‘Insomnia’, illustrated by a photo of Mondino. The follow up album ‘Adrian’ (with a clip by director Hilton McConnico) continued the success. Buzy was called a "local Pat Benatar", a "Parisian Kim Wilde", or "the French Nena". At this time her agent became the flamboyant Bertrand Le Page, who would later built Mylene Farmer's myth and fame. In 1985 she releases ‘I love you Lulu’, with a little help from Serge Gainsbourg (mixes and photos).The gesture was a return for her ‘Gainsbarre’ single. Gainsbourg was flattered that someone wrote a song about him because usually it was the other way around. This was followed closely by single ‘Body Physical’ that even got a release in China and Japan.

In the 90's, Buzy felt sick with fame, and decided to keep a low profile. She did release one more single, ‘Le ciel est rouge’, and two albums: ‘Rêve Éveillé’ (1993) and ‘Délits’ (1998). Without much success. The rest of the years she wrote lyrics for other singers, and played a few concerts for the fans (La Cigale, La fête de l'Huma, les Francofolies), but she spent most of her time working as a personal coach and counsellor - astrology being one of her favourite tools in that matter. She also took time to read and travel a lot, discovering Vietnam, Philippines and Thailand.

After she was offered a publishing deal to write a book about her life ('Engrenages', 2004) she began a comeback with the album ‘Borderlove’ composed with friends like Daniel Darc, Jay Alanski and Alice Boots. After this rock album she released the light yet introspective 'Au bon moment, au bon endroit' ('Right time, right place') in 2010..

On the web:

- Buzy's website: http://www.buzy.net
- Buzy on Myspace: www.myspace.com/buzy80 

If you like this, you probably like... / european counterparts:

Nada (Italy)

What do we think:

DB: Paul Royal introduced me to this raw rocking singer from France. Great stuff if you're not into the sweet sighing girls usually known from this country. The references to Pat Benetar and Nena are sympathetic but not completely spot on. In fact she reminds me more of Patty Smith of you're looking for an American counterpart. Less poetic maybe but with an even level of self consciousness

PR: If you are interested in high quality songs and a singer with an attitude, Buzy might just be your thing. She writes most of her songs herself and her records have a nice, indie-feel over them. Her voice has lowered an octave per decade, or so it seems, but her records have only gained intensity and depth over the years. Buzy is a credible rock chick with a mind of her own. Together with the great Nada (Italy) she proofs that female singers from the Mediterranean area do not automatically have to be soft pop singers.

Albums:

♪♪♪ - Insomnies - 1981

♪♪♪♪♪ - Adrian - 1983

♪♪♪ - I love you Lulu - 1985

♪♪♪ - Rebel - 1989

♪♪♪♪ - Rêve éveillé - 1993

♪♪♪ - Délits - 1998

♪♪♪ - Borderlove - 2005

♪♪♪♪ - Au bon moment, au bon endroit - 2010

------------------------------------------------------------------------
♪♪♪♪♪ = outstanding album, an absolute must-have
♪♪♪♪ = great album, highly recomended
♪♪♪ = nice album
♪♪ = be careful, requires listening before buying
♪ = best to be avoided