Short biog of Ground Zero:
Ground Zero opened in Paris in fall 2004, it's a record store specialised in indie rock, pop, a bit of electro, reissues of 60s, post-punk, new wave, etc. cds & vinyls.

Julie / Franck from Ground Zero

1) Why did you start it up?
Franck: Because there was simply no more place like this in Paris. At the time, considering the fall of market, it seams the craziest challenge, i loved it!

Julie: Well, I’ve always been into music, but I never thought of working into it. When Groundzero opened I became a regular customer. Eventually I asked Franck if he needed a help for his site (as I’m graphic designer). then a few months after that I was at the shop for my regular shopping and told franck he won't see me so often as I quit my job to get freelance.

He went : "No? that's fantastic! Would like to work here?"

I phone my friends euphoric, and they were all like "ha ha, I knew you end up in music"

It's the best job in the world. It's all about spreading the love of what you think deserves attention to all the people passing by.

1) What do you love so much about music?

It can moves your hips, moves you to the very heart of your soul, makes you happy, makes you melancholic… It is all about "soul and fire", isn't it? There's always some new bands to discover who're going to blow off your mind, It's a never ending thrill, that’s exciting!

Also provides the best subjects for badfaith argument when you’re with your friends. Lovely.

3) If your record shop was an album, what would it be?

I guess we could be the last Ruby Suns Sea Lion, we’re refreshing, nice and warm, been listening to Animal collective and Panda Bear all last year but do also know and love our pioneer New Order, we're looking for bright and shiny future.

4) Do people come to your counter knowing what they want or do you have a huge role in turning people onto great stuff still?

A good part of people that are coming to us are indie lovers, and know what they want, but they know we're here if they need recommandations.

Hopefully yes we do constantly turn people into what we think is great!

Because we're music fan ourselves, we can't help but telling everyone when we think we've got great stuff. That would include playing it all the time on the stereo, and telling everyone about until I’m sure everyone know about this band/ record. at the end of the year we do a top with our fav' top 10, and one with 50 best sales, and it's nice to see what's our favourite in the top sales.

It's lovely to see we have the influence to spread the love of Panda Bear, Fiery Furnaces or Archie Bronson Outfit. It's our pleasure and privilege to serve what we think deserves attention.

5) What's the local music scene like in your city? Is there a distinctive identity to the type of music coming out?

There's plenty of bands playing around. We love and support our fellow Zombie Zombie, Herman Düne, Cyan & Ben, Go Go Charlton, Maison Neuve, each in their very own style have a good fan base that comes to us in search for their records.

6) What's the place for record stores in the 21st Century?

There has to be more place for record stores. There's no other experience like going to a record store, chatting with some people there, and going home with exciting records you didn't know anything about.

I love my iPod, it's useful for holidays, but I'll never buy anything on digital. Just don't see the point. And I'm not even talking about the sound quality...When I love a record I want the cover, want to read the full notes, it's part of it as well…Must be quite oldschool and romantic though.

Will there always be a value and need for record shops against the tide of virtual experience.

7) If you could make a perfect mix tape from your record shop collection – what would be on it?

This is a tough one. Here you go.

1 Belle & Sebastian – Dogs on Wheel
2 Neil Young - On the Beach
3 Panda Bear – Bro
4 Pavement – In the Mouth of a Desert
5 The fall. The Classical
6 David Byrne covering The Fiery Furnaces – Ex guru
7 Herman Dune – Nickel Chrome
8 Franz Ferdinand covering LCD Soundsystem - All My Friends
9 The Black Angels - Manipulation
10 Pale Saints – Sight of You
11 A Silver Mount Zion – Mountains made of steam
12 Arab Strap – There’s No Ending

Oh la la, for more info, go to www.groundzero.fr