Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with no-ne
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
I remember having a portable 7 inches record player when I was 2 or 3 years old. An old machine and a collection of singles. I used to play them a lot, knowing what was Side A and Side B without being able to read yet. By the age of 6, my favourite band was The Beatles. My aunt had this LP collection with disco and funk. Not my cup of tea, even at that age. But I loved to play her Beatles albums. The Help soundtrack and the red and the blue double album compilation. Later I was blown away by the White Album. I still have those albums at home.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
The same auntie offered me a classical acoustic guitar a few years later. She bought it on a pier in Bastia, Corsica, from a guy who had not enough money to take the ferry back to Marseille, along with a score book from The Beatles. That was my first guitar and my first approach to music. Later, I took classical guitar lessons even though I didn’t really like it. I prefered to play The early Beatles from that book. I had this cover band back in the mid 80’s during my Middle School years. My French teacher was playing on it. I didn’t like it that much as he needed to play sitted, which wasn’t cool enough. Finally, my first real band, ‘Anyway’, started during the High School Years. I wrote my first songs, in English, during that time. We were quite succesful on the local scene.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
After releasing a first album with ‘Pupille’, the following band after Anyway, I was very busy with other people’s projects. Not just music, theatre and sound design mainly. Eventually, when I had some time off, after touring, I wanted to write and play again. But the Pupille fellows were doing something else. I thought it should be easier to do stuff on my own, when I have the time and when I fancy it. That’s how no-ne started. I remember putting the first songs on My Space. When I had to register on their website, I put none as ‘Name of the band’. The no-ne naming appeared later when I was working on the logo with illustrator/drawer Ania Pawlik.
No-ne is just me, from A to Z. It goes on and off depending on my mood, my time availability and my inspiration.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
In a record store, it will certainly be classified as alternative / Indie pop rock.
In my world, it is Happy Melancholic music.
My music taste has been defined more by the 90’s scene than by the 80’s. Although, as I said before, The Beatles were also an important band to me. That’s probably why melody is essential in my songs. I suppose people who like The Cure, Ride, The Chameleons, Radiohead, The Psychedelic Furs, Nada Surf, Carter USM, Pavement, Placebo, Bjork, Bowie, bands from Sarah Records and others can feel comfortable listening to no-ne.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
Do not wait for others, do it the way you want to. That’s mainly true during the writing and recording process. I played live alone for the very first time and I didn’t really liked it though.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
I always write songs on my old Ovation acoustic guitar. Mainly because I do it at night and don’t want to be too noisy. Sometimes I know that the acoustic guitar will disappear during the process and heavy distorsion electric guitars will replace it. The good news is that I would not have to practice if I do an Unplugged version of the songs ☺.
Along with the guitar, I need my Mac to record the first ideas. Photo Booth is useful as I can film my fingers on the neck of the guitar.
Later in the process, I will use Antelope mic simulation and remote along with Cubase Pro to record.
During mixing, it’s mostly Steinberg, Universal Audio and Plug-in Alliance stuff that I will use. But I still have a TC electronic Powercore system that was used on the Daisyland album.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
I haven’t been listening to music lately. Because I’m traveling at the moment. And travels are an important part of my life.
Unfortunately, the place where I’m writing from right now is the not the best for Indie Music. And listening to indie music doesn’t match with the local landscapes.
But I went to see The Viagra Boys last summer and even though I don’t remember the songs, I was very impressed by their performance.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
A lot.
Every songs I wrote start from a personal experience. Even if, sometimes, it’s all fantasized at the end. That’s probably the reason why I would never be able to write protest songs or about general things happening in the world. That doesn’t mean I’m not responsive to what I can read here and there about the state of our societies. But it has no space in my writing. May be yet…
Music and Art in general, is a way to communicate emotions. I write songs about my emotions. And when I turn a negative feeling into a beautiful song, I just feel cheerful. That it was worth it.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
As said before, I don’t have any messages to pass on. As an human being, I have my own experience and the listeners too. Sometimes it matches, sometimes not. I had emails of people telling me they were listening to that song of mine, in a city I’ve never been to, and it meant a lot to them at this exact time. When I write about universal emotions like love or hate or friendship or loss, it is certain that someone may feel the same, at some point. Art is a gift, not only for those who make it, but its beauty is to affect and help people in need.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
When I start playing a tune on the guitar in the evening and I listen to the recording the next day, it makes me happy. Like if I was giving birth during that night. Something that wasn’t previously real is now alive. Some kind of pride and it’s a great feeling !
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
I like small venues more than festivals. I attend not to go there anymore. I don’t think the venue is important, it’s more about the audience and the atmosphere. But I like old buildings, I have to say.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Bowie as a past artist. I like its chameleon side.
Robert Smith as a present one. I always loved The Cure and would be pleased to play a few songs with him while having some pints.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
https://www.instagram.com/none.indie
https://music.apple.com/fr/artist/no-ne/1606350267
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
I feel now that before writing new songs, the Daisyland album should be played live. There is a couple of new singles on their way too.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
I simply hope they enjoy the music as much as I do. I can tell an album is good by playing it before going to sleep. If I crash, it means it’s great. I always fall asleep within 3 songs on the Daisyland album. That’s a sign of truth ! ☺
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