Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with David Emme
A connoisseur of melancholy, David Emme doesn’t dwell in it—he turns it into something almost danceable. Based in Quebec City, he draws on his hushed voice, atmospheric guitar, and hazy synths to bring a raw, unforced poetry to life.
Poised on a delicate line between modern new wave, tinged with coldwave and touches of post-punk, his music thrives on balance. Rather than choosing between light and dark, David Emme blends them seamlessly, crafting songs that pulse with vulnerability.
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
My earliest memory connected to music is when I bought my first Walkman and went to Virgin Megastore to purchase albums. At that time, as a kid of the ’90s and 2000s, we would bring our Walkmans to school and trade albums.”
How did your passion for creating music begin?
When I was young, my parents used to host many travelers in our home. Once, two young women from Switzerland came to stay with us for a few weeks. I became really interested in one of their guitars, and one of them let me try it. Before heading back to Switzerland, she gave me one of her guitars—a red Stratocaster-style electric.”
What’s the story behind your current music project?
I believe my current project is the most authentic I’ve ever had. I started making music in a post-hardcore band—we played some great shows before eventually going our separate ways. After that experience, it took me a while to find my way back to myself in music. I explored different styles, but I was never fully satisfied.
After moving to Canada, I started a new project that blended rap, rock, and new wave. But it didn’t feel authentic to me. I found myself being placed in the Quebec and French rap scenes, where I didn’t truly belong or identify. I didn’t fit the mold or follow the codes. So, after releasing my first album, I decided to return to my roots—a more rock-oriented, post-punk/new wave sound—and start over under a new project name: David Emme.”
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
Oh, it’s a tough question. I’ll say it sounds like a mix between 80’s new wave/coldwave and post-punk sounds, mostly from Ireland scene ahah but in French ahah. IIt’s influenced by the indie scenes in Quebec and France, too.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
I learned it recently but: to be pride of my music and push my ideas at 100%. I know the way that we produced and mixed my EP « Clair-obscur » – with a really wet voice, far in the mix – is not a way that francophone music is mixed, but I’m proud ouf the result.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
I used Live to produce, along with a lot of synths, guitars, etc. But I think the most essential tools are my Fender Duo-Sonic, my Ruby ’63, and the chorus and flanger I used to craft my guitar sounds on the EP
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
Oh, I think my favorite artist right now is NewDad, from Ireland. Their tones, their mood—this band is really great! I think I listen them mostly every day ahaha.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
I think my personal experiences have always guided my creative work—whether in the sounds, the lyrics, or the artistic direction of my projects. I’ve always had a very emo side that I didn’t fully embrace in my previous projects. With Clair-obscur, I decided to be truly authentic and to share experiences and relationships I’ve lived through—ones that I believe can resonate with most people who listen to the EP.
I also wanted the EP to connect with listeners, even if they don’t fully understand the lyrics. I believe the music and the overall mood of the tracks do a good job of conveying the emotions and themes of the songs. I felt it was important to sing in my native language, French, but I don’t think you need to speak French to appreciate my music and the emotions it conveys.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
The main message of this new EP is simple: life and relationships aren’t just black or white. There can be melancholy in the light, and hope in the darkness. Above all, it’s about keeping communication open with those around us—and truly listening.
In recent years, people have retreated into themselves, shaped by opinions and the endless cycle of depressing news, losing touch with the realities of others. Social media often fuels this, reducing interactions to comments and reactions, and dehumanizing the people around us.
With this EP, I hope to encourage listeners to step out of echo chambers, engage with the world, and reconnect—because communication is what keeps human relationships alive.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
The most important lesson that music has taught me is to take my time and be proud of my work and myself before release anything. Music industry is not a sprint race, it’s a marathon.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
I recently discovered Live at Iveagh Gardens in Dublin last summer. I saw The Murder Capital perform there, and I think it’s a great festival to play. First, you’re in Dublin, one of my favorite cities in the world now, and it’s not too big, not too small, with a wonderful location.
And I think my dream Venue is La Maroquinerie in Paris. It’s an iconic venue and I saw a lot of great bands here like The 1975.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
I think Fontaines D.C whiteout hesitation, because they bring something fresh in the post-punk music scene.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
You can find my recent EP here: http://tunelink.to/clairobscur
Or on Bandcamp: https://davidemme.bandcamp.com/album/clair-obscur
And If you wanna stay in touch about my project, you can follow me here: https://www.instagram.com/davidemme.musique/
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
Just continue to produced and play music that I’m proud of. And hopefully play my music live more often!
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
A great post-punk/coldwave project from Quebec City ahah!
