Delving into the Parisian hipster scene

Like a duck to water, like a bee to honey, like Pat Kenny to that disputed bit of land. Whichever simile is used, the point is, your correspondent has gone out of his way to get right to the stripy, skinny, cigarette-holding coalface of the Parisian hipster world.
It turns out in a city dominated by either chic OTT clubs more suited to P Diddy, Paris Hilton and their entourages, world-renowned jazz, or a hip hop scene inspired by the enormous African population here, the space occupied by hipsters as we know them is in fact quite small. The hub of this world seems to be Point Ephemere, at Canal St Martin. This delightful little hub is a gig-venue, restaurant, bar, art gallery and outdoor picnic location all rolled into one. In typically classical hipster style, it is located right at "the tracks". Think Williamsburg, Rathmines Bridge (!!), Shoreditch.
Last week your correspondant managed to get down there twice. On Monday J. Tillman, supported by OhBijou, brought the house down. Tillman, who is the drummer from Fleet Foxes, posseses a beautiful bluesy brand of folk music. His live show was full of subtle gems which had the house captivated, with a few barnstorming tracks from his new catalogue, of music, raising the roof at the end. The lovely OhBijou, from Toronto, provided support. They are as endeeringly shy and tender as a child on day one at school, but their combination of violin and xylophone to a traditional four-piece is delightful.

Wednesday then brought us back to the Canal for a gig organised by the Swedish Culture Festival. Two nondescript support acts were followed by Jenny Wilson. Wilson, who has sung with the Knife as well as having a solid solo career to date, played her only gig outside Scandinavia in the next few months, which made it all the more enjoyable. From the moment she came on stage clad in a large rich blue cloak, appearing through a thick fog, it was clear that this woman has star quality. Think a combination of Bjork and Massive Attack. After an incredible start with "The Path", things settled slightly as she filled the gig with many of her older songs, which are slightly more soulful and less experimental. In any case, her show is a treat and she comes highly recommended.

An indication of the quality of the venue is witnessed in the acts to come: Sunset Rubdown (solo act from Wolf Parade), The XX (already sold out) and Yacht all appear in next week and a half.

J. Tillman - When I light your darkened floor
Jenny Wilson - The path