Les Alexandrin in 1967/Сollection:Léo Roy.
Qalam strives to explore the interpenetration of different cultures. To this end, we have decided to launch a series of playlists in which music mediates between different geographical and ideological spaces. Our first playlist is called ‘West to East: One Hundred Best Songs’. It will be updated several times a week, and its curation will focus on how Western pop culture has reflected the realities of the East, whether they are musical, geographical, religious, or political. (The terms ‘West’ and ‘East’ should be taken as broadly and arbitrarily as possible.)
Since we featured the very mainstream Frank Sinatra in our last issue, let's now delve into some lesser-known gems. Les Alexandrins is a Canadian—specifically Quebecois—duo consisting of Luc and Lisa. They are best known for their 1969 Franco-psych folk song, which is rare and finely crafted, drawing inspiration from the imagery of the Indonesian capital. The connection between Canada and Indonesia in the late sixties was somewhat tenuous, but the Quebec music scene of that era had a distinctly romantic-geographical vibe.
Their most famous song paid tribute to Lindbergh, the pioneering aviator who completed the first solo transatlantic flight. Montreal artists Robert Charlebois and the captivating Louise Forestier also famously covered the same track as a duet.