From Scratch is not only the name of Neïmo’s first album, it also sums up their ethos. Original and full of energy, Neïmo is a distinctive part of a rock and roll trend: made in France but sung in English! According to the band, rock and roll is best done in its original language. Hear about how they mix their inspirations and influences with their innovation.

In this second part, French visual artist Niko de la Faye shares with us the complexity of his work, his beginnings, the sources of his inspiration, and his favorite artists.

The band No One Is Innocent (whose name is also the title of a single by the seminal punk band the Sex Pistols—coincidence?) have described themselves as “electro-rock-blues” and list influences as diverse as Beck, Betty Davis, and Black Sabbath.

“La Peur” was written around the time of France’s most recent presidential election, and if you listen to the lyrics, it’s not hard to hear its influence on the song’s theme. Perhaps now No One will write an ode to the USA’s new president; they could call it “L’Espoir.”

Nicola Sirkis, head of Indochine, the new wave French rock band that’s been popular since the 1980s, has a few things to say about some of his fellow artists. (Could he mean megastar Johnny Hallyday?) Nicola’s strong voice (in many senses) is clearly one of the reasons Indochine has so much staying power.

Adonis sings us a song about protecting the environment, with a little help from his cat! Listen closely and you'll see why he's right to tell you not to do everything he does.

Oldelaf (Olivier Delafosse) makes a comeback after ten years with a new whimsical song. He much prefers animals to a certain lady. No, it's not his ex-girlfriend. We'll give you a hint: She succeeded her father as president of Le Rassemblement national (RN) party. (Oldelaf must be glad that's all she's president of!)

Oldelaf bares his soul in his song "La Tristitude," a portmanteau that combines tristesse (sadness) and attitude (and a little solitude). We might call it "saditude." Listen to his lyrics and you'll surely recognize it. Ça fait mal!

The French singer Oldelaf took his girlfriend to the Normandy beach town of Courseulles-sur-Mer, but their time there wasn't quite as romantic as it could have been. Find out what happened in this charming music video!

In his song "Le monde est beau" (The World Is Beautiful), Oldelaf's ironic take on social networking is bittersweet and not without humor.

Oldelaf turned his abhorrence for rough stucco walls that scrape your skin into a funky song, "Le crépi" (Stucco).

Oldelaf's "Bérénice" is a beautiful love song with a somewhat tragic (but very comical!) ending. You'll both laugh at and be moved by Oldelaf's poetic language and soulful crooning.

Enjoy Oldelaf's quirky humor, as displayed in his introduction to his two backup musicians who come from wildly different backgrounds, to say the least. Then listen to his satirical song "Vendredi" (Friday), where he describes a typical weekend for the average bored (and boring?) French guy.

Few people can escape Oldelaf's imaginary death sentences: from children who wake up too early, to people who wear socks with sandals, to people who copy the music from the film Drive (such as Oldelaf himself), to people who actually support the death penalty. It's a good thing this video is just satirical!

Oldelaf, aka Olivier Delafosse, sings "Je mange" (I Eat). This darkly humorous video paints a portrait of a modern man's dysfunctional relationship with food. If it sounds a little too familiar to you, that could mean it's time for a game of table tennis (with a partner)!

In "La Belle Histoire," Oldelaf tells the "beautiful story" of a couple falling in love. We won't spoil the ending, but be prepared for a surprising, humorous twist. It wouldn't be an Oldelaf video without one!