French house facts for kids

French house is a cool type of house music. French musicians created it in the 1990s. People also call it French touch or filter house. It became very popular in Europe.

This music uses special sounds called filters and phasers. They often use parts of old disco songs. These parts are called samples. French house songs usually have a steady beat. This beat is called "four on the floor." The speed is usually 110 to 130 beats per minute.

Some famous French house artists are Daft Punk, Stardust, and Cassius.

How French House Music Started

French house music got its start from different styles. It was influenced by American dance music. It also took ideas from Euro disco and space disco. Space disco was very popular in France in the 1970s and 1980s. Artists like Cerrone were big in this style.

American P-Funk music also helped shape French house. Musicians like George Clinton were a big influence. P-Funk music was played in French clubs alongside disco.

Early French House Artists

Thomas Bangalter made some of the first French house songs. He released them on his own record label, Roulé. His solo music and his work with Daft Punk and Stardust were very important. They helped define the sound of French house.

The French group Motorbass also made early house tracks. They used lots of samples and filtered sounds. Their album Pansoul came out in 1996. Another producer, St. Germain, made house music with a jazz feel.

French House Goes Global

French house music started to get noticed in the mid-1990s. It became a big success around 1997. Daft Punk, Cassius, and Stardust were the first to become famous worldwide. They signed with Virgin Records.

Their first music videos were directed by famous people. These videos helped spread the word about French house. Daft Punk's first album, Homework, was a huge hit. It even reached the top 10 in the UK. Daft Punk became one of the biggest French music acts in the UK.

The popularity of French house grew in the 2000s. Artists like Bob Sinclar and Modjo had hit songs in Europe. Even pop star Madonna used French house influences. This was on her album Confessions on a Dance Floor in 2005.

What "French Touch" Means

The phrase "French Touch" was first used in Paris in 1987. It described parties where people discovered house music. DJs like Laurent Garnier played at these events. The term became more widely known later.

A music journalist named Martin James helped make "French Touch" popular. He used the term in 1996 to describe the music. Soon, French and UK newspapers were using it a lot. MTV News even did a special report on the "French house explosion." This helped introduce the sound to many people around the world.

Different Styles of French House

French house music mixes a few different styles. One part is the "French touch" sound. This is influenced by space disco. Another part comes from Euro disco. The third part is like deep American house music. It uses similar samples and catchy, funky sounds.

Over time, French house music has changed. Some artists have moved to a harder sound. This new sound is inspired by techno and electro music.