Le Loup, The Wolf in English, is Jim Thomson, Sam Simkoff, Robby Sahm, Michael Ferguson and Christian Ervin. Their most recent album, Family, was released on Hardly Art in September of 2007, a record label started by the founder of Sub-Pop, Jonathan Ponerman.

Located in the center of the bustling Bastille area, where a typical Tuesday night feels like the weekend, the venue proved to be a perfect location for the soirée.While Le Loup blew the Parisian audience away, despite their lack of French vocabulary, the openers were disappointing in comparison. The leading lady of Scary Mansion, Leah Hayes, had her sister singing back-up vocals. However, Vanessa Hayes looked wildly uncomfortable, and escaped off stage at every opportunity. Due to her stage presence, we were convinced she was just along for the ride.

When Le Loup took the stage, however, their energy and sound won over the generally disenchanted Parisian concert-going crowd. Clearly perturbed by Café de la Danse’s theatre-style seating, they invited the audience to approach the stage. By the end, Le Loup even had some French hipsters dancing—incroyable. The show was a welcome change to the typical concert scene in Paris, where tickets either sellout instantaneously or are ridiculously expensive.

Le Loup will continue on their whirlwind tour of Europe, scheduled to bring them home to the States mid-March. To hear more Le Loup, head to their myspace page and check out the videos below.

-Liz Rowley

Liz Rowley is a 3-year WRBC Veteran. She is currently studying abroad in Paris, France.