Dominique Ané was born on October 6 1968 in Provins. The only child of his schoolteacher father and housewife mother, Dominique grew up to be a rather lonely adolescent, wrapped up in literature and music. In the 80’s 14-year-old Dominique discovered the raucous rebellion of punk, then got into the romanticism of the New Wave movement. After passing his ‘baccalauréat’, Dominique went on to study modern literature for a year, earning a living by doing odd jobs such as working as a tea-boy at the local radio station in Nantes. At the age of 17 Dominique formed his own group, John Merrick (named after the hero of David Lynch’s cult film "Elephant Man"). The foursome, whose sound was infused with dark adolescent angst, performed gigs at local bars and clubs and even made a couple of singles together. After this first experience Dominique went on to work with the singer Katerine, writing more sophisticated material in a decidedly more upbeat style.

Dominique then decided it was time to concentrate on his solo career. In 1990 he produced his own début album, recording it on a simple four-track in a makeshift home studio. He had 150 vinyl copies of the album pressed and distributed his début work, entitled "Un Disque Sourd", to radio stations and music critics. This highly innovative form of marketing soon paid off, DJs and other music professionals admiring the young man’s nerve and appreciating his original touch. Armed with nothing but a simple synthesiser and a guitar, Dominique A had managed to create his own distinctive style, setting his stark vocals against a minimalist background of random sounds.

Shortly after this, one of Dominique A’s friends set up his own label, Lithium, and promised to release the singer’s work. Lithium was soon bought out by Virgin so when Dominique A’s début album was released at the start of 92 it was assured of a more high-profile promotional campaign. The album "La Fossette", three quarters of which was taken from Dominique A’s earlier vinyl work, proved to be a great success with the critics. The highlight of the 13 tracks on the album was "Va t’en", an outstanding love song which proved that Dominique A was a talented songwriter as well as an interesting singer.

In June 93 Dominique A returned to the recording studio, working in a small studio in Héauvile near the Channel coast. His second album, "Si je connais Harry", released in October of that year, was enthusiastically received by the critics once again. Dominique A was slowly but surely beginning to make a name for himself on the French music scene, and an increasing number of fans were turning up at his concerts. Dominique, who had always performed alone on stage up until now, was soon joined by three other musicians including his girlfriend Françoiz Breut, who sang backing vocals. Following the release of "Si je connais Harry" Dominique set off on tour, playing a number of dates in the provinces and performing at the Théâtre de l’Européen in Paris on October 25. In November he was invited to perform at the festival organised by the French music magazine "Les Inrockuptibles."

In 1993 Dominique A moved to Brussels, finding no doubt that the grey rainy atmosphere of the Belgian city was better suited to his melancholy sound than the frenetic ambience of the French capital.

Dominique A devoted the whole of 94 to writing new material for his third album, "La mémoire neuve", which was released in May of the following year. But it was the single "Le Twenty Two Bar", released in advance of the album, which would really catapult Dominique A to the forefront of the French music scene. The rather shy, retiring singer soon found himself the talk of the town.

On March 20 1995 Dominique A returned to Paris to give a memorable performance at the Théâtre de la Ville. Then, following the release of his third album, he appeared at the "Divan du Monde" on May 15 (the smaller venue perfectly suited to the intimate atmosphere of the moody songs on the new album). Even Dominique A considered "La mémoire neuve" to be the "most melancholy" of his albums to date. Indeed, the album, recorded in Brussels, featured a mix of the characteristic Dominique A ingredients, combining gloomy lyrics, minimalist music and extremely stark, sober arrangements. During his concerts, however, Dominique A revealed a totally different side to his character, throwing himself into his live shows with real passion and making personal asides to the audience in between songs.

In February 1996 Dominique A triumphed at the annual "Victoires de la Musique" awards, where he was voted Best Male Newcomer of the Year. His performance at the award ceremony certainly went down in history as one of the most daring and innovative ever. Much to everyone’s surprise Dominique would sing a completely rewritten version of his hit single "Le Twenty Two Bar". His sarcastic new lyrics were directly aimed at record industry professionals in the audience - "I sang on French TV / I can’t remember why / In any case the audience was half-asleep"!

After his controversial performance at the "Victoires de la Musique" awards Dominique A set off on an extensive tour of France which lasted throughout the spring. He performed three dates in Paris (March 18 - 21), then on April 19 he completed his tour on a triumphant note, as one of the special guest stars at the "Printemps de Bourges" festival.

Dominique A spent much of 96 writing material for his girlfriend, Françoiz Breut, and helping her record her début album. It was only at the end of the year that he turned his attention to his own career, giving his first performance at the prestigious Olympia music hall in Paris (a sure sign that he had now become a major name on the French music scene!)

Dominique A was back in the music news in April '99 with the release of his fourth album "Remué" (Stirred). This new album marked a veritable turning point in the Dominique A style, the singer distancing himself from the 'hardcore' minimalism of his earlier work and introducing a more rock feel to his songs. Another radical difference between "Remué" and earlier albums was that this new album featured numerous instruments. (Up until this stage of his career Dominique A's albums had been notable for their sparing use of instruments). The singer, who described his new sound as certainly more "violent", returned to the live circuit shortly after the album's release kicking off a new tour in Paris at la Cigale (on Wednesday April 14).

Renowned for his innovative musical approach and his professional perfectionism, Dominique A cites Barbara and Christophe as two of his major influences. (Indeed he recently recorded a cover of the latter’s hit "Chiqué chiqué"). With his poetic lyrics, his black humour, and his ironic take on contemporary society, Dominique A is the archetypal 90’s French chanteur. The offbeat singer has also become the figurehead of a whole new generation of French artists which includes up-and-coming stars Katerine and Mathieu Boogaerts.

The public was unfortunately somewhat thrown by Dominique’s new style, and the record did not meet with the success the artist had banked upon. Dominique confessed to having sought to break with his former smooth manner that "Twenty-two bar" had put forward by. Despite the lack of public recognition, Dominique was satisfied with his experience. He went on to compose most of the second album of his partner with whom he has a son, Youri. He then accompanied her on stage while she toured around France. Later, he took part in Yann Tiersen’s new album entitled "L’absente" before returning to his kitchen where he feels most inspired.

The release of "Auguri" (Italian for ‘Best Wishes’) on 16 October 2001 celebrated the tenth anniversary of the singer's career. It was recorded in Wales under the supervision of P.J. Harvey’s producer, John Parish. This collaboration gave birth to a varied ensemble of tracks ranging from gloomy rock’n’roll to cheerful ballads. The singer’s voice was much clearer than before, revealing that Dominique had come of age as a singer. Such songs as "Les chanteurs sont mes amis" (‘I like singers’) and "Le Commerce de l’eau" (‘Water Business’) did show his craft as a singer-song-writer. The album also featured covers of "Je l’ai toujours aimée" (‘I've always been in love with her’) by the Belgian group Polyphonic Size and "les Enfants du Pirée"—Dalida’s famous song.

Dominique A embarked upon a new solo tour in the autumn of 2001. The tour, which included a memorable performance at Le Café de la Danse in Paris on 19 October, continued through until 2002 with Dominique A performing concerts right through the spring.

Renowned for his musical perfectionism and his poetical lyrics, Dominique A has always been a passionate fan of Barbara and Christophe - indeed, he actually recorded a cover of the Christophe classic "Chiqué chiqué". The Breton-born star is now recognised as one of the most original talents on the French music scene and his work now inspires a number of rising young 'minimaliste' stars such as Katerine and Mathieu Boogaerts.

Dominique A was kept busy on the festival circuit throughout July and August, appearing at Les Vieilles Charrues, Les Francofolies in La Rochelle, Pully (Switzerland), Benicassim (Spain), Les Francofolies in Montreal and the Dour festival in Belgium. Then, with scarcely any let-up, he hit the road again in September, playing at Les Nuits Botanique in Brussels and Les Nuits de la correspondance in Manosque where he had his own special ‘Carte Blanche’ night. His tour finally came to an end in December after a series of concerts in Poland.

On 24 September, Dominique A’s name was associated with a mysterious album released by Oslo Telescopic (an outfit as secretive about their true identity as the notorious masked duo Daft Punk). The album, entitled "The Dominique Ø Project", was a highly experimental affair which ventured into different musical domains including blues and electro.

On 20 June 2003, Dominique A performed in Studio 104 at La Maison de la Radio in Paris, taking part in a tribute concert to the late great ‘chanson’ star Léo Ferré where he shared the stage with Bashung, Katerine, Bernard Lavilliers, Dyonisos and the group Zebda.

In September 2003, he also took part in a discussion about the life and work of Jacques Brel, organised by the daughter of one of the singer’s biographers. Sharing his thoughts with Christian Olivier (from Les Têtes Raides) and Yann Tiersen, Dominique A spoke about the lasting influence of the Belgian chanson icon on his work.

On the whole, 2003 proved to be a fairly quiet, uneventful year for Dominique A during which he concentrated on writing material for his next album. He did put in one significant live appearance, however, performing at the first Francofolies concert held in Berlin (on 29 September).

2004: "Tout sera comme avant"

Dominique A’s new album, "Tout sera comme avant", was released on 9 March. And it took both fans and critics by surprise, breaking with his signature austere, pared-down style and featuring more elaborate orchestration. Coinciding with the album release, a collection of short stories inspired by his songs was published under the same title. (Dominique A, who personally selected the authors involved in the project, also penned one of the texts himself.)

On 1 March, Dominique A hit the road again on tour, kicking things off with an appearance at the "Avis de KO social" support gig organised at Le Zénith in Paris. Artists such as Les Têtes Raides, Bénabar, Rachid Taha and Rodolphe Burger took to the stage taking an openly political stance against the French government.

Dominique A’s tour continued with dates across France (including an appearance at the Festival de Bourges on 21 April). He then headed off to Germany, playing eleven concerts there between 12 and 24 May. Dominique A made his Paris comeback at Les Bouffes du Nord (23 - 26 June), performing alone on stage. A DVD of the concerts, filmed by Gaëtan Chataigner, was released in November.

Dominique A continued his tour after Les Bouffes du Nord with a backing band and brought the house down when he performed  at the Olympia, in Paris, on 30 November. On 17 December, he performed a special one-off concert with the singer Katerine at La Cité de la Musique in Paris (as part of the "Chansons contestataires" event). Then he continued his tour right through until the middle of 2005.

In September and October 2005, Dominique A devoted most of his time and energy to recording a new album.

Dominique A’s seventh album, "L'Horizon", was released on 6 March 2006. As demanding of himself as ever, Dominique A – who had since adopted Brussels as his home – produced an album where both the finely-honed lyrics and arrangements and his vocal delivery were even more intense than ever. The overall tone was once again serious and tinged with melancholy. "L'Horizon" was hailed as a masterpiece by the critics, confirming Dominique A as one of the leading exponents of ‘new French chanson.’

Dominique A's "Horizon" tour lasted two years in all with the singer kicking proceedings off with a concert at La Cigale, in Paris, on 23 May 2006. He then went on to perform a marathon run of dates across France and followed these up with countless gigs in Quebec, London, Moscow, Spain, Belgium and Germany. In October 2007, the indefatigable singer and his backing group took to the stage at the Théâtre du Châtelet, in Paris. Around the same time, a book about Dominique A was published and a special boxed-set retrospective of the singer's career was also released together with a live album.

The book "Dominique A, les points cardinaux", written by Bertrand Richard and published by Textuel, looked back over the early years of Dominique A's career and included photographs, concert flyers and artist's notebooks complete with the singer's original scrawling-outs. A few weeks later, the special boxed CD set "Les sons cardinaux" appeared in record stores. The boxed set revolved around four compilation albums divided by period ("1981-1991", "1992-1995", "2001-2004" and "2005"). The set included a number of rare Dominique A gems such as "l'Agonie du soleil", the very first track the singer ever recorded in his bedroom. The compilation, which included sixteen never-heard-before bonus tracks, illustrated just how far Dominique A has come musically in the past fifteen years. "Sur nos forces motrices", released in October 2007, ranked as the first live album of the singer's career.

In December 2007, the minimalist chanson star and his musicians headed off to play five concerts in Argentina and Chile. On 14 March 2008, they travelled further afield to perform a special one-off date in China (at the Yu Gong Yi Shan concert hall in Beijing). In August 2008,  Dominique A appeared at three concerts organised in the U.S. by the drummer who plays with The French Cowboys and Katerine. The concerts, staged in Tucson, Arizona also featured appearances by The French Cowboys, Katerine and Françoiz Breut.

August 2008