This distinction, awarded by the French Ministry of Culture, recognises outstanding contributions to the arts and to the influence of French culture worldwide. Presenting the award was Paule Ignatio Consule Générale de France in Melbourne and Cr Serge Thomann (Conseiller des Français de l’étranger, Chevalier de l’Ordre national du Mérite) who suggested the award 3 years ago are pictured above with Mick Harvey.
Harvey is well known in St Kilda for his role in the legendary Birthday Party and later Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. His musical career is a testament to how far talent and artistic dedication can take you.
The nomination recognises Harvey’s decades‑long commitment to celebrating and promoting the music and artistic legacy of Serge Gainsbourg, a pivotal figure in French cultural history. Harvey’s fascination with Gainsbourg’s originality and poetic depth began while he was living in Berlin.
Serge Gainsbourg is most famous for several iconic songs that defined his provocative, genre‑bending style, including the sensual duet with Jane Birkin, “Je t’aime… moi non plus” (1969).
Throughout his career, Mick Harvey has recorded and produced four critically acclaimed albums dedicated to Gainsbourg’s songs, introducing his repertoire to international audiences beyond the French‑speaking world.
These albums – three in English and one in German – were born from Harvey’s deep admiration for Gainsbourg and his desire to make this extraordinary body of work accessible to non‑French‑speaking listeners. Rather than offering simple translations, Harvey crafted thoughtful adaptations that maintain the spirit, tone, and style of the original works, bringing a new musical and linguistic dimension to the songs.
Harvey’s significant work has been acknowledged by leading figures in the music world, including the late Jane Birkin, Gainsbourg’s longtime collaborator and muse.
The nomination was also supported by several distinguished figures from the international music community, including Nick Cave.
“Je t’aime… moi non plus” (1969)
Yes – that song that got more than cigarettes smouldering.
Interview with Mick Harvey by Paul Cashmere
Australian musician Mick Harvey (Boys Next Door, The Birthday Party, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds) sits down with Paul Cashmere for a conversation following his induction as a Chevalier of France’s Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.
