Rapid-fire Q&A: French band Phoenix 

Phoenix, the French four-piece responsible for megahits like “1901,” “Lisztomania,” and “Long Distance Call” are back in town.

Thomas Mars, Deck D’Arcy, Christian Mazzalai and Laurent “Branco” Brancowitz are currently touring in support of their brand new album called "Ti Amo".

The boys were subjected to a series of media interviews as soon as they landed in Manila, so I figured I’d give them a break and just asked them rapid-fire questions about some of their favorite places and things. I sat down with Branco and Deck and here are excerpts from our little chat.

What are your favorite memories from your last visit to Manila?
Branco: It was a very great show. The show was the best. It was good to discover a new country. But we never knew what the audience is going to be like. And when you discover that they know all the lyrics, it’s a very big source of pleasure.

Favorite city to play in? Besides Manila, of course.
Branco: We like Mexico City.
Deck: Yes, it’s quite competitive with Manila.

Favorite city to visit?
Deck: I’ve got plenty…
Branco: I’d say Rome. I love Rome.
Deck: I like to go to new places. Recently, I visited a part of England that I really like. But it’s not really well-known.

Favorite city in France?
Branco: Paris
Deck: Yes, me too.

Favorite snack?
Branco: Banana.
Deck: (holds up a banana). It’s true!
Branco: The banana is a gift from nature. It has a natural packaging, biodegradable. It’s the perfect gift from god. We love the banana. In fact, we call this tour The Banana Tour. Because we eat a lot of bananas on this tour.
Deck: That’s true. I confirm.

READ: 'Stereotypical rock star stunts are boring'— Phoenix 

Do you have a favorite TV show these days? Do you even watch TV?
Branco: No, not really.
Deck: I like very old stuff. The last thing I watched was "Curb Your Enthusiasm".
Branco: Ah yeah yeah. That one we watch.
Deck: I discovered it like, 10 years after it came out.
Branco: "Seinfeld" is good, too.

Favorite book?
Branco: There are so many, it’s hard to say. I love Salvador Dali. His autobiography, "The Secret Life of Salvador Dali". It’s very good. It starts like this, “When I was eight years old, I wanted to be Napoleon. And my ambition has been growing ever since.”
Deck: It’s so difficult, but the one I’m reading at the moment, it’s not my favorite, it’s very new, but it’s called "The Zealot". It’s a history book. It’s about Jesus Christ.

Favorite movie?
Branco: Hmm. I’m trying to think of something that’s not too specific. There are a lot of French movies but they are a bit too…French.

Maybe a Hollywood movie?
Branco: Hollywood is boring. Hmm. It’s hard. It’s tough. Maybe an Akira Kurosawa film…

Which one, "Ran"? "Seven Samurai"? "Rashomon"?
Branco: Rashomon, yes. I like that movie.
Deck: For me, I like French movies.

You know, Liam Gallagher of Oasis is here also in Manila now. Do you have a favorite Oasis song?
Branco: I like their interviews more. They’re more entertaining. They should stop singing and just do more interviews.
Deck: Yes, the other day I read this interview where Noel said about Liam, “He’s like a man with a fork in a world of soup.” (Chuckles). They’re very poetic.

Do you have a favorite Spice Girl?
Branco: Hmm. I don’t know. Maybe Sporty? Who are the other ones again?

There’s Ginger, Baby, Scary and Posh.
Branco: Scary? Why Scary?

She used to wear those animal prints and she had that wild hair…I don’t know why she was scary, actually.
Deck: I like Baby. (Sings a Baby Spice song).
Branco: Yeah you do like Baby.

Last question, what should Filipino audiences expect at your show tonight?
Deck: I think  we’re hitting our peak as a band with this tour. But you know, it’s not about us, it’s about the audience. So we’re only as engaged as the audience, so we’ll see. — LA/KVD, GMA News

Phoenix are playing tonight, 8pm at the Kia Theater in Araneta Center, Quezon City.