Formula Indie Sessions – Interview with Amel_
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
I remember holidays when I was young. My dad used to play Winter by Vivaldi, I was dancing in the living room and it felt so warm and good.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
I always listened to music but my true interest into making music started at 11. I was listening to « i hate u, i love u » by gnash and Olivia O’brien, vibing on the piano that played in the background. it was such a great moment because it was repetitive and calm so I started to think it should be easy to learn this song. The very evening I started to learn it on YouTube and play on the little keyboard we had in our basement.
Since this moment, I just never stopped learning songs on the piano and slowly started to sing with it.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
« Dame de coeur » is my latest project ; an introspective EP that speaks about the fear of growing up, an ended love story, being in peace with oneself, addictions and other them I’ll let you discover by listening my songs.
The story about this project is like a need to talk, a need to tell things I was not able to say to myself or others in other way but music. I am very proud of this project, when I listen to it I hear all my progress in production, i stated in my room with no budget and made this project all by myself and I’m very happy about the result.
However, I can’t wait to publish my new songs, « Dame de coeur » was just the beginning of something bigger, something that made me learn a lot of things about production, mastering, mixing etc. I tried hard to see the mistakes I did on this project, just to avoid making them again on the next project – which is so great to me and also far from what I did until now – I know I will keep doing mistakes. I just want to do new ones.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
I think my sound is a sweet mix between French pop and indie music, a universe I try to take you to with my voice and instruments. My main inspiration is Zaho de Sagazan which is to me the best artist I’ve never heard ; her text, her sound, her voice and above all her sensibility touch me deeply. I hope someday my sound will make someone feel like she makes me feel.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
After « Dame de Cœur » I had a long time where I could not create anything good. I was so demanding on me, so frustrated because I could not sound like my favorite artists and couldn’t understand why. Then it reached me out. I could not sound like them because I was not them. Today when I create I just try to listen to my feelings about the instruments, the sounds, what I want or need to say. The best thing I’ve learned is I’m making music for me above all. I just want to have fun and take people with me if I can. That’s all.
Even though it’s sometimes hard not to feel a pressure with all the social media part when you try to please people you don’t know.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
I compose on ableton studio live which scared me of at first but is easier than I thought. I think the instrument I can’t do without are synths. I love trying weird sounds, sounds effects or weird stuff like that to create a whole univers.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
I love listening to « Rouquine » a French indie pop group. « Populaire » is delightful but actually I listen to all of their songs.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
It’s hard for me to compose about something I don’t know… I’ve always written about me or people I know, things I feel or have felt. I am a hundred percent in my songs, it’s just me without any boundaries. My personal life affects my music but my music also affects my personal life.
To me it’s very important being authentic, it’s a whole part of what I try to do, which is sometimes hard because we feel vulnerable but it’s also beautiful because my vulnerability may speaks to stranger’s.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work? Life may be hard but fighting for it totally worth it. I just hope it may help people to feel a little less alone.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
Music has a big power. It’s sometimes frightening to see how strong it can upset me, but is also beautiful to see how good it can make me feel too.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
I’d love to sing for the paleo festival in Switzerland. I also had the chance to sing at the Bataclan in Paris, for one song at 19 years old and it was the greatest day of my life. I hope I’ll have the chance to make a whole show there one day.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why? Hundred percent Zaho de Sagazan.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links) https://www.instagram.com/juste_amel_? igsh=OWZmeHhkY3BhaG01&utm_source=qr
https://music.apple.com/ch/artist/amel/1761778516?l=fr-FR
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
I dream of doing my music my real job, go on tours, big concerts and meet the people my music makes feel good. Dance on the songs I did alone in my room with a whole crowd.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way? My sincerity and authenticity. The fact that I want to dance and live my dream with them.
