[ SPEAKING WITH ]

Air, Mosquitos

*7:30 p.m. Tuesday

*Riviera Theatre, 4746 N. Racine

*Tickets, $26.50

*(312) 559-1212

The Parisian duo of JB Dunckel and Nicolas Godin are better knownas Air. Atmospheric, moody and deliciously memorable, themeticulously crafted pop songs set the mood for a cozy evening in.With its latest album, "Talkie Walkie," Air gets a chance to reallybreathe.

Phoning from Washington, D.C., Dunckel chatted about his newParisian house, why Holland doesn't rock and the subtle cruelties of"Blade Runner."

HERE'S WHAT DUNCKEL HAD TO SAY:

What you've been doing on tour when you're not onstage: Yesterday,we went to an art museum in Washington, D.C. I was very surprisedthat you have so many French paintings in the U.S.A. I saw all theseoriginal Claude Monet originals. It was amazing. I like sightseeingwhen we have time.

Your favorite artist story: There was one artist who was part ofthe new realist movement. His art was conceptual. He sold air cubesfor 1 million francs. It's really weird. I heard he threw gold intothe Seine River in Paris to give it back to nature.

On whether he would throw money to nature: I don't think so. Iwould keep it for myself and my own pleasure.

Your most extravagant purchase to date: I recently bought a housein Paris. Or I'm going to buy it the day after I get back to France.The house is so cool. I like houses better than apartments. You canlisten to music very loud. You also feel more protected and shielded.

Parlez-vouz anglais? Yes. My English is not perfect, but I canspeak it. I can speak a little bit of German, too. But that's it.

On Americans not being able to speak foreign languages: You don'tneed to because English is the language of the world.

His theory about languages: Many years from now, English may bethe only language, with other words thrown in. There won't belanguages, but rather dialects. I'm not afraid of that. I'm verytrustful of mixing culture and immigrating, because I think it'suseful in all countries. I'm very open-minded with that.

On preserving culture: Culture has to move. When it's strong,it'll last. That's why I'm an artist. Art always stays, whether it'sa painting or music or literature.

Music as a language: Why not? You don't have to know a lot aboutmusic to know whether or not you like it. It is a universal language.

Last good movie you saw: "Blade Runner" with Harrison Ford is anamazing movie. The beginning is really scary because he's running andwants to catch that artificial girl. It's so cruel because he pointshis gun and shoots her, but she has no weapon to fight back.

CDs you're listening to: I listen to every kind of music, but mynew thing is Leonard Cohen. I love his words and music.

Why you love your friends: They gave me some very good advice andthat advice changed my life, because I'm in love thanks to what theysaid.

Country you'd like to visit that you haven't been to yet: I'd loveto go to China and Australia.

Country you've had enough of: Holland seems to be a very coolcountry, but there seems to be a problem with us in Holland. I don'tknow why. Whenever we play some gigs in Amsterdam, it's not good.Something always happens. I'm not sure if it's the room or theatmosphere, but it's not good.

What you'll do in Chicago: I'd like to go near the lake and lookat the amazing view of the skyscrapers. It's so psychedelic.

The touristy thing you have to do: I like to have friends takepictures of me standing in front of cool things. It's a nice souvenirto have.