We Invented Paris, Sue Style

Anna talked to We Invented Paris, an artist collective with Swiss roots - a pool of musicians and friends who constantly “re-invent” their subtly arranged Indiepop-songs in ever-changing instrumentation. The band have just released their second album Rocket Spaceship Thing. Led by Basel native Flavian Graber, We Invented Paris created their own crowdfunding campaign called “Action Nouvelle” and let the fans become band shareholders. The campaign was a success, which enabled We Invented Paris to retreat into an old castle near East-German town Dresden to independently record the album. Flavian Graber and Bruce Klöti told us about the whole process - and about their show in Basel in April. Listen to the interview here.

We're always delighted to have Sue Style on the show - this time to talk about the tradition of pre-Lenten/Carnival foods, cue for a load of wondrously rich and stupendously fattening deep-fried pastries and other goodies that were traditionally scoffed in anticipation of a lean time during Lent: Fasnachtskiechli, Fastewähe, Zigerchröpfli, Zigerchugeli, ravioli di carnevale and so on. Not to mention the risottatas that happen on Shrove Tuesday/Martedi Grasso (4th March) throughout Ticino when they prepare huge vats of saffron risotto with local sausages on the village piazza. Sue also told us about Fasnacht staples such as Mählsuppe (burnt flour soup - sounds awful, tastes delicious, we promise!) and Zibelewaie (onion tart). Best of all, Sue shared her delicious recipe for a wicked ice cream gateau in which Fasnachtskiechli, ice cream, whipped and chocolate sauce all play a part. Yummy!

Our music theme this week was influenced by We Invented Paris, so we dug out a whole range of wonderful Swiss musicians and bands: BAUM, me.man.machine, Sheila She Loves You, The Bianca Story, The Drops and of course the classic Yello.

Swissgerman Phrase of the Week

So far you've learned how to order a second drink, how to pay for it, and to say how you are feeling. Tonight we looked at the nitty-gritty of introducing yourself in Swissgerman. When you would like to get to know someone better, a good icebreaker is: "Wie isch Ihre Name?" ("What's your name?"), which is quite formal; or "Wie heissisch Du?" (literally "What are you called?"), which is informal. You could respond with: "Mi Name isch..." ("My name is..."). And finally, you can say: "Fröit mi!" ("Pleased to meet you!").