Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with TackEm
Presentation of the Project
What is your first memory related to music? Answer: It’s not complicated, from the moment I was born, I was immersed in music, simply because I was born into a family of great musicians. My father was a renowned international pianist and, of course, he practiced the piano all day long. His repertoire was vast: classical music (Bach, Mozart, etc.), romantic music (Chopin, Rachmaninov, Schumann, etc.), modern music (Ravel, Satie, Poulenc, Debussy, etc.). So, music was quite simply my second mother tongue.
How did your passion for musical creation begin? Answer: First, for the reasons I just mentioned, and then, when I was very young, my mother enrolled me in the conservatory in my neighborhood in Paris. We always had a piano at home, of course. My father had his Steinway grand piano, while my sister and I had an upright piano. It’s not that I wasn’t allowed to play the Steinway, but it was always occupied (laughs). While I practiced the piano as my teacher wanted, I also quickly wanted to improvise and create my own little personal pieces.
What is the story behind your current musical project? Answer: At 20, I moved to southern France, where I met friends with whom I formed a rock band. That lasted 8 years, and back then, we mostly played locally. Then life happened, and I stopped making music for many years, only returning to it in 2020. This time, I chose a solo approach with occasional collaborations for the vocal parts, since I don’t sing myself—at least, not yet. The technical tools available today are far superior to those of the past, so like many musicians, I gradually equipped myself to create my own home studio. Now, I work from home, and once a piece is finished, I mix it in a studio in Marseille with a friend who is a sound engineer.
How would you describe your style to someone who has never heard your music? Answer: I can never answer this question because I love exploring different genres. The proof is that I currently have 5 tracks on streaming platforms, each in a completely different style. “Planet Blue” is pop-rock, “Deep Waters” and “Tidal” are more rock, “Sometimes” is in the indie melodic electro genre, and “Souvenirs” is simply neo-classical. Incidentally, the theme of this last piece is one of those famous compositions I wrote when I was about 15, hence the name of the track. I still listen to a lot of classical music, so composing from time to time with the sounds of a symphony orchestra interests me just as much as creating a piece with electric guitars, synths, etc.
What is the most important thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you compose? Answer: It’s probably precisely not to forbid myself anything. I’m not saying I could compose in any style, far from it. There are genres I wouldn’t go into, simply because others do them much better than I ever could. But composing in pop-rock, rock, neo-classical, or more electro atmospheres pleases me just as much. I listen to many different styles, so that’s reflected in my inspirations.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential to your creative process? Answer: Today, all DAWs allow you to do the same things, but it’s important to choose the sequencer in which you feel most comfortable—it’s very personal, ultimately. So, I work with “Studio One” by Presonus. And like many, I have a multitude of virtual instruments and effects. The list would be too long, but I could mention a few like Arturia, Native Instruments, Output, Ujam… That’s just the tip of the iceberg of what I use. For neo-classical, I like certain libraries from Spitfire Audio, Orchestral Tools, etc.
Which indie artist or track are you listening to right now? Answer: I often go through phases in my listening. Right now, I enjoy listening to indie electro like “Nine One One” and many others—again, the list would be long. But if you asked me the same question next week, I might talk about different styles and artists. It really changes day by day.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision? Answer: Having been lucky enough to be born into a family of artists (my father was a pianist, my uncle was a composer of electro-acoustic music, my godfather was a conductor—all at an excellent level), we always talked about music at home. Great musicians would come to our house or we would go to theirs, so the exchanges were rich on the subject. As a child, I didn’t always understand everything, but there’s no doubt it still went in one ear. From the age of 3, I attended the concerts my father gave—recitals, concertos, TV shows, radio broadcasts—and all of this is part of my personality. It undoubtedly shaped me, even if I wasn’t conscious of it at the time. I then listened to very different music, but I’m convinced that so-called “classical” music remains the best foundation. It offers incredible variety and, above all, a wonderful source of inspiration, even if you compose in a totally different genre. To this day, I still listen to a lot of Bach, Chopin, Gershwin, Saint-Saëns… alongside my dose of rock, pop, and R&B music.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take away from your work? Answer: If I had to sum it up in one word, it would be freedom. I’m aware that it’s not always easy for listeners to recognize a specific style in my music, since, as I said earlier, you can hear anything from pop-rock to neo-classical—music that reflects the variety in my current tracks on the platforms. Some will prefer one style over another, which is inevitable, but I’d like people to remember this freedom that allows me not to forbid myself anything. But I promise, in the future, I’ll try to spread myself a little less in my creations (laughs).
What is the most important lesson music has taught you so far? Answer: Artistic creation is so important for human beings. Whether it’s painting, writing, music, pottery—whatever you choose, it’s something that should be much more developed from a very young age. Because I remain convinced that, while we can all go through difficult times in life, the ability to create is an extraordinary escape, a reference point, a pillar. And as is often said, art in general and music in particular are the only true universal languages. It’s so true.
What is your dream venue or festival where you would like to perform? Answer: No doubt, the Olympia. It’s not necessarily a huge venue, but in France, it’s a magnificent symbol—so many incredible artists have performed there. This hall has seen and heard absolutely everything, and I think you can feel a real memory there. If I remember correctly, the first time I went there (as a spectator, of course) was for a concert by The Cure. There’s a real closeness between the artists and the audience in that venue. And I’d also like to perform at the Bataclan one day, for reasons I think everyone will understand.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would you choose and why? Answer: I’m not that young anymore, alas, but I admit I think I had a youth during which music was incredible. I’m not saying it was better back then and that nothing interesting exists today—that would be stupid and totally false. But even though I listen to a lot of new artists, young and not so young, I think we inevitably remain attached to the music we listened to in our youth. Again, the list would be so long, but if I had to choose one, it would be Pink Floyd. For me, their music never ages.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website, Spotify, Instagram, links) Answer: You can listen to my music on the various streaming platforms and follow me on Instagram and Facebook. https://Wiseband.lnk.to/TackEm-Tidal https://www.instagram.com/tackemprod/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551242330270
What is your dream for the next step in your musical journey? Answer: It’s always a real pleasure to realize that one morning I sat down in front of my instruments to start a new piece, and that one day, some people enjoyed discovering it. If I find joy in musical creation, it also represents a lot of work, many questions, and self-doubt. So when I realize that a piece is being listened to in different countries by people I don’t know, that it finds an audience that appreciates it, I never get tired of it. As an artist, I doubt myself a lot—at least, that’s my case—so being listened to on the platforms is always magical for me, it’s a real reward. So, I would simply like my pieces to be listened to, shared, and loved by as many people as possible. It’s both very simple and extraordinary in itself. Ultimately, when someone on the other side of the world takes the time to listen to one of my tracks, it’s a bit like we’re really meeting…
What do you hope listeners will discover about you over time? Answer: I know that not always creating music in a specific style can sometimes be confusing for the public, but I’d like people to appreciate this freedom in variety. I’d also like to introduce some listeners to styles they might not have gone to otherwise. My music has its qualities and its imperfections, but it’s always made with sincerity, passion, and without pretension. That’s what I’d like people to remember from my journey, which, to be honest, is only just beginning. Whatever happens, I hope your readers will want to listen to what I do, and don’t hesitate to send me a little sign—I’ll be happy to receive it ;).
