Thérapie Taxi: The Band's Unforgettable Journey

In the vibrant tapestry of French music, few names evoke as much intrigue and discussion as Thérapie Taxi. Far from being a mere transport service, this band carved out a unique niche with their audacious lyrics, infectious melodies, and an undeniable stage presence. But before they became the cultural phenomenon known for their frank and often provocative take on modern life, what was the genesis of this compelling group? And how exactly did a name like 'Thérapie Taxi' come to define their rebellious spirit and connect with millions?

The Genesis of a Sound: From Easyzic to Milky Way

The story of Thérapie Taxi begins in 2013 with a serendipitous online encounter. Adélaïde Chabannes de Balsac, then just 17, posted an advertisement on Easyzic, a French musician dating site, seeking collaborators. Her call was answered by Raphaël Zaoui, a year her senior. Their initial meeting in Pigalle, a clandestine rendezvous kept secret from their parents, immediately sparked a creative connection. Raph, already possessing a collection of songs, found in Adé the perfect musical partner. Adé, initially hesitant even to sing, was encouraged by Raph to try, and her rendition of Moriarty’s ‘Jimmy’ quickly won him over, revealing a vocal talent she hadn't fully recognised herself.

Their early collaborations saw them experimenting with folk music, primarily in English. However, it soon became clear that their true strength lay in French. As Raph candidly admitted, his English lyrics were "nul" (rubbish), and the transition to French brought an immense sense of freedom and pleasure. This linguistic shift was pivotal, allowing their raw, unfiltered narratives to truly resonate. It was during this formative period that the duo first performed under the name Milky Way, a seemingly innocuous title that would soon give way to something far more distinctive.

The Name That Defines: Thérapie Taxi's Unconventional Insight

The transformation from Milky Way to Thérapie Taxi marked a crucial evolution. This change coincided with the arrival of Renaud Bizart, also discovered via Easyzic, and Félix (an early member), solidifying the band's core. The choice of 'Thérapie Taxi' wasn't arbitrary; it encapsulated a specific, relatable, and rather boozy experience. As Raph explained, the name could be interpreted in many ways, but for him, "it relates to the little therapies you do yourself with taxi drivers when you're drunk." This candid admission perfectly mirrored the band's emergent lyrical style: honest, direct, and unafraid to explore the messy realities of life.

The name itself became a metaphor for their music – a space where listeners could find a form of catharsis, a confessional booth on wheels. Their songs became a 'therapy' for many, allowing them to confront emotions, relationships, and societal observations with a bluntness that resonated deeply. This unique concept, blending the mundane act of a taxi ride with profound, often intoxicated, introspection, set them apart from their peers and hinted at the bold, unvarnished style that would become their trademark.

Charting a Course: Milestones and Breakthrough Hits

Thérapie Taxi's journey began to accelerate in 2016 with the release of their first single, “Salop(e)”. This track, as explicit as its title suggested, was a fierce, post-breakup anthem filled with acerbic and vulgar insults. It was a provocative declaration, reminiscent of Orelsan's raw honesty, but with an egalitarian twist, ensuring both sides of a failed relationship received their share of verbal vengeance. The immediate buzz generated online quickly attracted record labels, leading to their signing with Panenka Music.

The blend of crude lyrics and catchy pop melodies proved explosive, leading to immediate success. They embraced the label of "insolent pop," understanding that provocation could serve as an artistic expression. "If the artistic exercise isn't provocative, it's not interesting. It's an immediate zone of expression," they stated. For many, "Salop(e)" was genuinely therapeutic, allowing them to vocalise intense feelings. Raph noted the significance of a female voice daring to use such strong, sexual, and violent language, challenging traditional norms.

A year later, in 2017, they released “Hit Sale,” featuring Belgian rapper Roméo Elvis. This collaboration became a certified gold record, racking up an astounding 65 million views on YouTube. Raph had envisioned Roméo Elvis for the track after being influenced by his song "Drôle de question." The collaboration was seamless, with Roméo Elvis liking the band's name and their sound. Raph described writing “Hit Sale” as his most challenging artistic endeavour, aiming for a radio-friendly hit while battling initial negative feedback. This struggle also birthed "Anti Hit Sale," a track born out of his frustration and need to expel negative emotions.

The band continued their momentum into 2018, releasing their debut album, also titled “Hit Sale.” The album was a massive success, selling over 170,000 copies and accumulating more than 300 million streams. The songwriting duties were shared between Adé and Raph, with Raph often taking on the more tortured love stories and Adé embracing the violent, vulgar, unfiltered expressions. They also recorded a notable cover of Christophe's "Aline" during this period. The album’s success led to a re-release, “Hit Sale Xtra Cheese,” featuring unreleased tracks like “Speed” and “Avec ta zouz.”

Navigating the Open Road: Controversies and Interpretations

Despite their soaring success, Thérapie Taxi often found themselves in the eye of the storm, navigating the choppy waters of public perception and social media scrutiny. Their direct and unfiltered approach, while praised by many, also led to misunderstandings and backlash.

The explicit nature of “Salop(e)” initially caused a stir, but the band stood by its therapeutic intent. However, other tracks sparked more significant controversies. "Avec ta zouz" led to accusations on Twitter of promoting rape, an interpretation the band vehemently rejected. Raph expressed his distress over this episode, highlighting the struggle between artistic freedom and the fear of misinterpretation. This experience made them question where to draw the line between creative expression and potential societal backlash.

Another incident occurred during a live performance of “Bisous tendres” at Solidays, where Raph and a female audience member, brought on stage, shared an unscripted kiss. This spontaneous act was widely misinterpreted as the band exploiting their status, leading to the song being pulled from their live set. These events underscore the paradoxical era they operated in: a push for freedom and self-expression clashing with a pervasive "well-thinking" culture that, as Raph put it, "breaks me from the inside and makes us die of boredom." They saw themselves as "poil à gratter" (a thorn in the side) to this global well-meaningness, providing a necessary escape for many.

Thérapie Taxi also found themselves frequently labelled as the "spokespeople for their generation," a title they quickly dismissed due to the immense pressure it implied. Instead, they preferred to acknowledge that they "fit into" their generation by reflecting its inherent dualities. They articulated the schizophrenia of their age group: rejecting capitalist norms and dreaming of a less commercial, more sustainable future, yet remaining products of a neoliberal society, glued to smartphones and social media. This inherent contradiction became a rich artistic vein for their songwriting.

The Passengers on This Ride: The Band Members

The dynamic sound of Thérapie Taxi is a result of the diverse talents and backgrounds of its members. The core lineup that cemented their unique sound includes:

• Adélaïde Chabannes de Balsac (Adé) – Vocals
• Raphaël Zaoui (Raph) – Vocals, Guitar
• Renaud Bizart – Bass
• Vincent Duteuil – Guitar, Keyboards
• Ilan Rabaté – Drums

Vincent and Ilan, who had been accompanying the band on stage for nearly two years, officially joined for the second album, “Cadavre exquis.” Their technical prowess, honed through conservatory training (which Adé and Raph also had in their youth, though they admit to forgetting much), significantly enriched the band's musical aspect both live and in the studio.

Their individual musical journeys are as varied as their collective sound. Adé, a classically trained cellist from the Paris Conservatory, also dabbled in guitar and choir. Raph, similarly, spent years at the Avignon Conservatory studying violin, with a year of piano, which gave him an innate ease with the guitar. Renaud, a self-taught musician, started later in life with drums before moving to guitar, driven by a passion for sound for over a decade. This blend of classical training and autodidactic passion contributed to the band's rich and eclectic musical tapestry.

The Soundtrack of the Journey: Influences and Compositions

Thérapie Taxi's musical tastes are as broad and eclectic as their lyrics are direct. This diversity is a key ingredient in their unique "insolent pop" sound. Adé's background includes a deep love for rock, 70s music, and a significant period as a devoted Coldplay fan, which she attributes to the band's pop sensibilities and catchy choruses. She also harboured dreams of seeing Michael Jackson and, surprisingly, Céline Dion, whom she adores, even using Dion's "Pour que tu m'aimes encore" as a vocal warm-up.

Raph's influences lean towards punk rock, citing Blink 182 and Sum 41, but also a profound appreciation for rap artists like Lomepal, whose lyrical depth and ability to convey ideas he finds incredibly interesting. He is also a big fan of Arthur Teboul from Feu! Chatterton, admiring his artistic approach, voice, and writing. Renaud brings a garage rock sensibility to the mix. Collectively, the band also explores electro and house music, and keeps a keen ear on the latest developments in the French music scene, including artists like Roméo Elvis and Juliette Armanet, with whom they expressed a strong desire to collaborate, seeing it as a way to push their own boundaries.

The songwriting process itself is fluid. Either Adé or Raph will bring a more or less complete demo to the group, and then everyone contributes to recomposing it. There's no rigid process; it depends on the track and the inspiration. The raw, unfiltered nature of their lyrics, often perceived as violent, is explained by Raph as an exercise in externalisation, a cathartic release, much like someone doing boxing to calm down. It's a positive way to let off steam without causing harm, allowing them to express everything from love and social commentary to glory and downfall without self-censorship.

The Public's Ride: Connection with the Audience

Thérapie Taxi cultivated a surprisingly diverse audience, ranging from teenagers as young as 13 to listeners in their 70s, often seeing entire families at their concerts. This broad appeal suggests that their "delire" – their unique blend of raw honesty and catchy tunes – was widely understood and appreciated, transcending generational divides. As Raph noted, if people are paying for tickets, they've clearly bought into the band's ethos and aren't there to dictate what they can or cannot say.

Adé recounted an amusing anecdote from a festival where, playing before Nekfeu, she observed two young men in the crowd who seemed utterly bewildered by "Salop(e)," highlighting the varied reception their explicit content could receive. Despite this, Raph expressed immense pride in "Salop(e)" for its ability to resonate with so many people, providing comfort and a sense of connection during different phases of their lives. For the band, the ultimate reward was hearing that their songs had become a part of their listeners' lives.

The Destination Ahead: What Lies Beyond?

Despite their undeniable success, the members of Thérapie Taxi have a clear, perhaps even surprising, vision for their future. Raph has a personal philosophy: "In my head, Thérapie TAXI is three albums and ciao." Adé echoed this sentiment, stating they wouldn't "cling to the armchair" and would eventually move on to other projects. Raph believes that to maintain sanity in the music industry, one shouldn't spend more than ten years in it. Adé added that while it might be easier for solo artists, it's challenging for a group to age together, citing Coldplay as a rare exception she still adores.

This forward-thinking approach suggests a band driven by artistic integrity and a desire to avoid stagnation, rather than chasing endless fame. They recognise that there comes a point where "you've said everything," hinting at a creative well that, once explored, might lead them to new individual or collective endeavours beyond Thérapie Taxi. Their second album, “Cadavre exquis,” released in December 2019, featured 16 tracks exploring themes of love, self-derision, the current world, and intimate relationships. The title itself, meaning 'exquisite corpse,' alluded to the fragmented writing process during their tour and the integration of Ilan and Vincent into the group. It also played on the oxymoron, much like their own name, where opposites attract, reflecting the sweet-and-sour nuances of their raw, yet tender, lyrics.

Frequently Asked Questions About Thérapie Taxi

The Journey Continues: A Legacy of Raw Honesty

Thérapie Taxi's journey from Milky Way to a prominent voice in French music is a testament to their unwavering commitment to authenticity. Their name, initially a quirky nod to drunken confessions, became a fitting emblem for their entire artistic output: a raw, honest, and sometimes jarring reflection of contemporary life. They embraced controversy, not for its own sake, but as a byproduct of their refusal to sanitise their narratives. Through their distinctive blend of "insolent pop" and unfiltered storytelling, Thérapie Taxi offered a therapeutic ride for a generation grappling with its own contradictions, proving that sometimes, the most profound insights are found in the most unexpected of places – perhaps even in the back of a taxi.

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