You’re never quite prepared to have a breathy, mysterious vocalist sing, “God save the queen / the fascist regime,” but it happens when French band Nouvelle Vague gives punk and new wave classics the lounge and bossa nova treatment. Marc Colin and Olivier Libaux have incorporated a number of international female singers on their albums, and their new album NV3 also features duets with vocals by Depeche Mode’s Martin Gore, Ian McCulloch of Echo and the Bunnymen and Terry Hall of the Specials and Fun Boy Three. Before traveling to New Orleans for their gig at the Republic on February 14, I was able to swap email with Libaux despite his busy schedule.

Your style is very unique in that you were able to combine two very different genres with little more than your curiosity to fuel the results. What other genre combinations are out there that you think would also work, or that you would like to see somebody try?

Obviously, Nouvelle Vague’s first album has made something with this “new wave songs covered in a bossa nova style” concept. Thing is we then have moved, and covered new wave songs in some ska, mento or reggae versions on Bande a Part (their second album), or bluegrass and country on NV3. I think the point is to create some good and interesting covers, no matter what.

There are many other crossovers–like for example “Beatles into reggae”, “Radiohead into reggae”, “Rolling Stones in bossa nova versions”–which means a good song can be played in many different tempos or styles. I would anyway say that the form matters, but the soul is even more important. I hope that Nouvelle Vague can bring some soul in covers, as well as interesting adaptations in new styles.”

I read that that singers you have used in the past often don’t speak English and that they are often reading the lyrics for the first time. What do you think the advantages are to this?

It’s true that one of the first Nouvelle Vague singers was Brasilian and could not understand (nor speak) English. This singer is the one who performed “Love Will Tear Us Apart” and “Just Can’t Get Enough” on our first album, then “Blister in the Sun” and “Metal” on new album. The great thing with Eloisia (it’s her name) is that her approach is based on emotions and feelings rather than understanding lyrics. I remember Eloisia was touched by the melancholy of “Love Will Tear Us Apart”, even if not knowing the song or Joy Division.

Our point was to find universality behind songs, and the fact that a Brasilian girl, absolutely not into punk/new wave music, could feel some emotions brought by a simple melody and chords was great.

One point is not to repeat too much this kind of process, for example having only girls who don’t understand English on our recordings. The point is to bring freshness in a cover. This freshness can be brought by any singer who is able to perform a song with an original angle.

What do you think is the most interesting new pop music recently? Do you make a conscious effort to keep up with new artists?

I would say that nowadays most interesting acts are isolated. There are no “movements” like new wave or grunge these days. Most of my favorites are coming from America, where for some reason spirituality and soul is a collective concern. Fleet Foxes’ music is beautiful, as well as Sufjan Stevens’ or Chris Garneau’s.

It’s not an effort to keep up with new artists. Everybody who is into music is ready to be thrilled every morning by some new artist/song.

Have you played in venues around the country that were home to some of the early punk bands that you cover? What’s the sentiment there?

We actually have played in many venues/cities/countries which were originals’ home: For example, Undertones in Belfast, Liverpool/Echo and the Bunnymen, or more recently Toronto/Martha and the Muffins. In that case, the audience’s response is even more positive! And for us, it’s even a higher responsibility to play these artists’ songs better than ever.

Would you like to continue in this vein, or evolve your sound to include original songs or other genres of music?

I would not say we will bring original songs in Nouvelle Vague. Nouvelle Vague is dedicated to covers since the beginning. One funny thing is that we started Nouvelle Vague without any thoughts about future, nor expectations. Since the beginning, the only matter was to bring ideas, excitement, which could make a cover band as interesting as any good indie act.

I could not really say what will happen in the future, but I know that we have already two new albums on the way! You see, we are supposed to stop Nouvelle Vague anytime, but new ideas are always having us growing up this project.”

Finally, do you have any thoughts about playing in the city during possibly the biggest Mardi Gras weekend in the history of New Orleans? Do you think you will want to try and partake in the festivities?

It’s definitely a thrill for us. We don’t even know how many people will come to see our show in New Orleans; I guess that people are 100 percent into Mardi Gras during this period. But we will be glad to participate. We will also be very happy to feel the atmosphere in the streets, and enjoy festivities as long as we will be in town.