# NYC Cabaret Punk Duo FRENCHY AND THE PUNK Present ‘Mon Souvenir’

- Link: https://www.nyrdcast.com/nyc-cabaret-punk-duo-frenchy-and-the-punk-present-mon-souvenir/
- Published: 2022-09-08T15:00:00-05:00
- Author: Eugene Tierney

**NYC cabaret punk duo Frenchy and the Punk present ‘Mon Souvenir’, previewing new
album**

_“Bombastic, Frenchy and the Punk find a happy medium between the sonic atmosphere
and thoughtful melancholy of post-punk music and the unmistakable drama of cabaret…
as beautifully manic as some of the finest artists on America’s ‘early punk’ scene”_
~ ​**[Amplify Music Magazine](https://ddec1-0-en-ctp.trendmicro.com/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=https%3a%2f%2famplifymusicmag.com%2fpremiere%2dmon%2dsouvenir%2dby%2dfrenchy%2dand%2dthe%2dpunk%2dbursts%2dwith%2dnew%2dwave%2dcircus%2dpunk%2dgoodness%2f&umid=54cccd1f-0b28-4472-955d-98f7d329ec8e&auth=65a620fa4b6e2edf0405a6ed61dc7465231096cd-fcc4f8bab377bb84caef262d17d5921dbd58082e)**

![](https://i0.wp.com/redirect.haulix.com/5eOauciA60wGxOEkmQYThw0r-H9X7VkQSPCFIy7lT30%
3D/PromoAccessory_271050.jpg?w=1290&ssl=1)

**Photo by Alice Teeple**

New York cabaret-inspired art rock duo [**Frenchy and the Punk**](https://ddec1-0-en-ctp.trendmicro.com/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.frenchyandthepunk.com&umid=54cccd1f-0b28-4472-955d-98f7d329ec8e&auth=65a620fa4b6e2edf0405a6ed61dc7465231096cd-983aa8e96aad46e5c2c4628028cdb8b6b2bb8561)****
have announced that they will soon release their seventh album [**‘Zen Ghost’**](https://ddec1-0-en-ctp.trendmicro.com/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=https%3a%2f%2ffrenchyandthepunk.bandcamp.com%2falbum%2fzen%2dghost&umid=54cccd1f-0b28-4472-955d-98f7d329ec8e&auth=65a620fa4b6e2edf0405a6ed61dc7465231096cd-e767f9b5339b76fb180eff24dab53f647486eda6)****
via **EA Recordings**. Slated for release in late October, they present the first
taste of this album with lead track [**‘Mon Souvenir’**](https://ddec1-0-en-ctp.trendmicro.com/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=https%3a%2f%2ffrenchyandthepunk.bandcamp.com%2ftrack%2fmon%2dsouvenir&umid=54cccd1f-0b28-4472-955d-98f7d329ec8e&auth=65a620fa4b6e2edf0405a6ed61dc7465231096cd-ecf36fd81a567ed2b9cc888f0f7582093a6a01fe),
an unapologetically new wave-y nugget propelled by chugging acoustic chords. With
its refrain of_ “If I can feel / I can heal”_, the song reflects the album’s central
theme of transcending ‘mind phantoms’ – the experiences from the past that linger
within all of us.

Frenchy and the Punk is made up of singer, percussionist, and lyricist **Samantha
Stephenson** and guitarist and composer **Scott Helland**. Influenced by such icons
as The Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Blondie, Concrete Blonde, Adam and the Ants,
The B52’s and Serge Gainsbourg, the duo have become known for their trademark blend
of dark folk, post-punk and cabaret-influenced music.

“Mon Souvenir – the idea of mind phantoms – is the pervading theme of the album.
Meaning ‘My Memory’ in French, this song’ deals with the idea of those experiences
that haunt us even when we think they are gone. We can build layers of protection
through the years that end up masking our true emotions, making it difficult to 
heal. It may take a lifelong journey to shed those layers, get to the core and finally
transcend those experiences,” says **Samantha Stephenson**.

Dark times make for dark songs. ‘Zen Ghost’ was written and recorded during the 
downtime of 2020-2021. Here, the duo’s shadowy sound takes an even darker turn. 
An inward spin, into the pair’s previously unexplored personal planes and interpretations
of the insanity of our increasingly tumultuous age. But despite its more pronounced
moodiness, like the rest of the band’s oeuvre, ‘Zen Ghost’ offers plenty of opportunities
to dance in the darkness.

French-born, but raised in England and America, Stephenson’s early study of piano
and dance ignited her eventual rejection of corporate conformity and fueled her 
quest to lead a truly autonomous life through art and music. A son of jazz-loving
teachers, Helland grew up in Western Massachusetts, where he was a vital player 
on the region’s famously fertile early hardcore punk scene. He was also co-founder
and bassist of [**Deep Wound**](https://ddec1-0-en-ctp.trendmicro.com/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.allmusic.com%2fartist%2fdeep%2dwound%2dmn0001356350&umid=54cccd1f-0b28-4472-955d-98f7d329ec8e&auth=65a620fa4b6e2edf0405a6ed61dc7465231096cd-798c271454a38a166b14b88519a92c4eddf19073)****(
along with future **Dinosaur Jr.** founders **J Mascis** and **Lou Barlow**), as
well as **Outpatients**.

![](https://i0.wp.com/redirect.haulix.com/CZX9X7sLPFQhspBk6XKCJvDs7uCOLtcbj2bmw7A-
9z4%3D/PromoAccessory_576530.jpg?resize=356%2C289&ssl=1)

**Photo by Alice Teeple**

Helland and Stephenson met in NYC 1998, when Stephenson spontaneously jumped on 
stage to accompany Helland during his solo guitar performance. The artistic union
was immediate, powerful and undeniable. The two began to tour with fevered zeal,
turning heads with their striking aesthetic, steadily building fervent fans on the
mystical-folk/steampunk festival, coffeehouse, convention, and club circuits with
their boisterous, revival-like live shows.

Tapped as one of the Top 25 duos in the US by Yahoo! Music, the freewheeling pair
has released [**a raft of recordings**](https://ddec1-0-en-ctp.trendmicro.com/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=https%3a%2f%2ffrenchyandthepunk.bandcamp.com&umid=54cccd1f-0b28-4472-955d-98f7d329ec8e&auth=65a620fa4b6e2edf0405a6ed61dc7465231096cd-c20a5e701e74b3055e2541f4ea24dc069857099a),
including the acclaimed albums ‘**Happy Madness’ (2010), ‘Hey Hey Cabaret’ (2012),‘
Elephant Uproar’ (2013), ‘Cartwheels’ (2014), ‘Bonjour Batfrog’ (2014)**, and **‘
Hooray Beret’ (2019)**.

The live element is very important for Frenchy and the Punk, having opened for **
Thomas Dolby, Dinosaur Jr., The World Inferno Friendship Society, Rasputina, Cruxshadows,
Hurray For The Riff Raff **and** The Young Dubliners. **They have also performed
together live with **Dead Can Dance’s Peter Ulrich **and** Dresden Dolls’ Brian 
Viglione**.

As of September 8, ‘Mon Souvenir’ will be released digitally everywhere, including
[**Apple Music**](https://ddec1-0-en-ctp.trendmicro.com/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=https%3a%2f%2fmusic.apple.com%2fus%2fartist%2ffrenchy%2dand%2dthe%2dpunk%2f453505184&umid=54cccd1f-0b28-4472-955d-98f7d329ec8e&auth=65a620fa4b6e2edf0405a6ed61dc7465231096cd-a2410470b6586e03819344405ff3e536513170ce)**,
[Spotify](https://ddec1-0-en-ctp.trendmicro.com/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=https%3a%2f%2fopen.spotify.com%2fartist%2f7fRd6n7FhjhaUUKYiUHmXf%3fsi%3d6swbAo8OTxueOJcTwceEkA&umid=54cccd1f-0b28-4472-955d-98f7d329ec8e&auth=65a620fa4b6e2edf0405a6ed61dc7465231096cd-1d3ec3d09efd543cfabbbc722dd3772facdc3369)**
and** [Bandcamp](https://ddec1-0-en-ctp.trendmicro.com/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.frenchyandthepunk.bandcamp.com&umid=54cccd1f-0b28-4472-955d-98f7d329ec8e&auth=65a620fa4b6e2edf0405a6ed61dc7465231096cd-08928de7a3e267fb94aa1c701907c404871268b0)**.
The ‘Zen Ghost’ album will be released on October 28 and is available for pre-order
digitally via [**Bandcamp **](https://ddec1-0-en-ctp.trendmicro.com/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=https%3a%2f%2ffrenchyandthepunk.bandcamp.com%2falbum%2fzen%2dghost&umid=54cccd1f-0b28-4472-955d-98f7d329ec8e&auth=65a620fa4b6e2edf0405a6ed61dc7465231096cd-e767f9b5339b76fb180eff24dab53f647486eda6)
and on CD [**via the band’s website**](https://ddec1-0-en-ctp.trendmicro.com/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=https%3a%2f%2fbatfrogs.com%2fproduct%2fzen%2dghost%2dcd&umid=54cccd1f-0b28-4472-955d-98f7d329ec8e&auth=65a620fa4b6e2edf0405a6ed61dc7465231096cd-e9f5d4ea5baece445a3bc3e7ae18da5aec08a6d2).

**CREDITS**
All songs written by Samantha Stephenson and Scott HellandSamantha Stephenson–
lyrics, lead vocal, percussion, keyboardScott Helland – guitar, bass, drums, backing
vocalsJason Sarubbi – upright bass on ‘Church of Sound’Braxton Bellew – additional
electric bass on ‘Church of Sound’Recorded and mixed by Jason Sarubbi at Split Rock
Studios, New Paltz, NYMastered at The Cage, Coventry UK by Martin BowesCover photo
by Alice TeeplePen and ink drawings by Scott HellandAlbum cover design by Scott 
Helland and Samantha Stephenson

![](https://i0.wp.com/redirect.haulix.com/CLpIo2qvDPQrrViqGaWyDr9Qr8V4X17FNnRSxGRvw9M%
3D/PromoAccessory_419991.jpg?w=1290&ssl=1)

**TRACK LIST**
1. Mon Souvenir2. Temple of Sleep3. If the World Doesn’t End First4.
Gear Geist5. Church of Sound6. Come in and Play7. Paradise Found8. Blood9. Oxygen10.
I’ll See You Again

**TOUR DATES**
Aug 28    Poughkeepsie, NY – PorchfestSept 04   Hannibal, MO – Big
River Steampunk Festival,Sept 10    Westampton, NJ – Burlington Amphitheater Concert
SeriesSept 17    York, PA – Enchanted Fae FestivalSept 24    Clarksville, OH – Earth
WarriorsSept 30    Troy, NY – Troy Night OutOct 08      Poughkeepsie, NY – Gallery
40Oct 15/16  Shepherdstown, WV – Shepherdstown Fae FestivalOct 22      Nyack, NY–
Prohibition River LiveOct 28      Baltimore, MD – FaerieConDec 10     Exeter, UK–
Yule BallFeb 4/5    Manchester, CT – Stupid Cupid Steampunk FestivalFeb 18/19  Gettsyburg,
PA – MythiCon FestivalApril 01     Galveston, TX – Galveston Steampunk FestivalApril
8-9    Baltimore, MD – Between The WorldsApril 15/16  Chicago, IL – Chicago Steampunk
Expo

**FOR FANS OF:** 
Concrete Blonde, Dresden Dolls, Florence and the Machine, The 
B-52’s, Adam and The Ants, Blondie, Siouxsie and the Banshees

**Keep up with Frenchy and the Punk**
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