Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Fabien Polair-done
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
Listening to my parents’ old vinyls when I was about 10. I vividly remember the cover of their Chuck Berry “Best Of” album. I was very excited to start buying my own records around age 12.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
It began when I was a kid, singing made-up songs a cappella to my sister. The real start came around age 15 when my mom brought home an acoustic guitar. I couldn’t play or tune it, but I managed to write my first song, “St Christopher’s Blood,” just playing the first three strings. I was instantly hooked on songwriting and never stopped.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
My new album, Love, Loss & Side-Tales of Recovery, is a sort of resurrection, as I hadn’t released a full album since 2007. It started as an EP, but I soon realised I had enough material for a whole record. I wanted it to be an eclectic album while maintaining the indie-folk vibe of my previous album, Crossroads, Middletown, and returning to more personal songwriting, unlike my recent releases with my other project, SoftSuns.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
My last two Fabien Polair albums lean towards an indie-folk vibe, featuring plenty of acoustic and nylon-string guitars, along with occasional harmonica riffs and pedal-steel sounds. My three biggest influences for this sound would be Neil Young, Wilco, and Kings of Convenience.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
The biggest change was realising I don’t always need to write from my own personal experiences; I can write through the eyes of different characters. This approach primarily applies to my other project, SoftSuns, and has been a game-changer for the album I’m currently finishing.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
A real bassline and guitars (electric and acoustic) are essential. For software, I’ve been using Cubase for a few years, along with Reason for drum beats and synths. It’s a setup that works well for me.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
I’ve been heavily listening to the Jeff Tweedy triple album Twilight Override this year. Also frequently on my playlists are Dekker’s new album Neither Up Nor Down, Wet Leg, Alex G, Perfume Genius, and the new albums from The Hives and Benjamin Biolay.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
Love, Loss & Side-Tales of Recovery is heavily influenced by personal experiences. For example, “Diadems” is an ode to my supportive friends, and “Sweet Christmas Dream” is an ode to my wife and kids, who have changed my life. “Experiment” tells the story of my personal growth from a “tormented artist” to a mature man and musician, thanks to life’s difficulties. I also usually draw inspiration from my travels and the people I meet.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
It’s difficult to pinpoint, but my hope is that listeners feel inspired by some songs, find a sense of beauty in others, and that some of my work can ultimately offer them hope.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
The most important lesson is that creativity has no boundaries. Music is a vital outlet for me to express and build upon how I feel. I will always love the entire creative process, from a simple chord progression to a finished, mastered track—it’s something I’ll never tire of.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
During my 15 years in London, I played many venues like the Hope & Anchor and Half Moon. My dream venue in London, which I always attended but never played, is the Shepherd’s Bush Empire. And, of course, the Glastonbury Festival.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
I would choose Damon Albarn. He is incredibly creative and open to collaborating across diverse music styles. I feel we share a similar, almost “hedonistic” approach to music—the ability to create a song from nothing—so I’m sure we would create great things together.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
You can find everything at polairmusic.com, which has links to all my social media accounts (Facebook and Instagram) and all streaming services where my music is available.
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
I have 3 or 4 albums in the pipeline. The next one I plan to finish is the SoftSuns album, a project I’ve been working on for over 10 years, which I hope to release in 2026 or 2027.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
I hope listeners realise the real, heartfelt emotion in my songs and understand that most of them are all rooted in my personal history and experiences. Ultimately, I hope they get a better sense of who I am and where I come from.
