A Music-Lover's Guide to Finding Peace and Good Tunes in Paris

Daniel's very specific guide to his Paris.

Jul 15, 2024

Slice of Life Guides are succinct, personal, and hand-drawn Q&As with Paris residents, some French and many not, that offer intimate glimpses into someone’s life here. They capture the routines, routes and places that make Paris meaningful to each of us.

The question these guides ask isn’t “What’s best?” but rather “What do you like? What do you do often? What makes life here feel special to you?” They are designed to show that there are countless incredible things to do, see, eat, drink, learn, and experience in Paris, but there is no single source of truth.

Each guide offers a snapshot, from a distinct and brilliant perspective, of the place we call home.

This Edition: Daniel’s Paris

Turntable watercolor hand-painted by illustrator and designer Jane Black.

Kind, creative people seem to gravitate toward Daniel Phiri for good reason. Originally hailing from Zambia, Daniel is anchored by a soulfulness, generosity of spirit, and kindess, as well as a sharp sense of humor, that’s magnetic. He is insatiably curious and a doer—taking on personal and professional projects ranging from building the baby blue bike he now rides around Paris from scratch (ask him about the first time he rode it when a screw came loose!) to coding software and building open-source communities to DJing and photographing the world around him.

We met at several French tech aperos and chatted for hours before we agreed that we needed to hang independently. Years later, I’m consistently inspired by the way that he has iterated his way to a peaceful and vibrant life here that matches his ambitions, values, and creativity all at once.

Daniel is a treasure, and a good friend, and I’m so thrilled that he’s sharing his slice of Paris here in this guide. He hand-wrote all his answers, and I’ve included some in their original form, with others typed below.

Daniel’s beloved bike, which he built from scratch. Photo from his camera roll.

Favorite French word or concept.

Liberté. Égalité. Renault Coupé.

Describe your perfect day in Paris from morning to night.

I get up and it’s sunny. I water my plants, walk to my boulangerie and get a freshly baked warm baguette. I grab a hojicha latte, walk to a park, bask and people-watch. I ride to a record store. I meet friends for lunch, go to a chill open air music thing, grab dinner, walk along the canal, and wind down in my room with the window open listening to passersby take the night.

Draw or list what you miss most about home.