I am loving the new sound! What was it that inspired your shift from film music to an alt rock sound?
Amaury: “Thank you for the kind words! I’m really glad you like it. For me, it’s not really a shift, but more of a return to my roots. People are often surprised to find out how versatile I am as a composer and artist; but all these different styles are part of who I am. I would get bored (and probably feel dishonest with myself) if I stuck to just one genre.”
“I love folk, 70s prog rock, alternative, jazz, classical music, and so much more. And as someone who’s self-taught, all these genres have shaped who I am today.”
“Composing for film is still my main career, but this year I took a forced break from it, and it gave me the chance to go back to the source. It was a bit surreal: after winning two major awards for two different scores, all Films I was supposed to suddenly got cancelled. While I continued doing music for student films and charity projects, I felt the urge to create something personal … mostly to stay sane, honestly.”
“It had been a while since I wrote a full batch of songs (apart from the occasional end-credit tracks on a Movie), and it actually came very naturally. Maybe I subconsciously needed that?”
“I really believe that music is a photograph of time. As human beings, we constantly evolve, with different needs and desires. So while this album is a snapshot of this particular year it also feels like a personal soundtrack of my life. Some tracks on the album are very cinematic, close to my film music years, others not at all. That blend, I think, reflects me quite well.”
How is the album making process currently going for you?
Amaury: “Well, the writing part is done! I inserted last minute this week a track I wrote overnight, as I felt something was missing.”
“All in all I wrote around 20 tracks and kept 11 for the album. It was a lot of fun as I played everything on it, from Vocals to Drums, Bass, Piano, Guitars, Cello, Mandolin, Banjo, some Violin too….but had the help of confirmed musicians for complicated parts, or Saxophones and Trumpets. It will be released under the French indie label Quixote RPM, under the label Polaroid Revolt.”
“Right now, we’re in the mixing stage with Samuel Schwenk: honestly one of the best mixing engineers I’ve ever worked with in Germany. I’m really excited to hear what he’s cooking up.The artwork is built around a series of Polaroids I’ve taken over the last few years, they’ve become the visual core of the album.”
“After the release of the first two singles last month, we’re planning to put out a mini EP in September (likely 3 tracks, including one demo version), ahead of the full album release in mid-November.”
“There are ongoing discussions about vinyl production and a preorder campaign. Those who preorder will get access to an exclusive bonus EP, original Polaroids from the artwork, and a few other surprises. More on that very soon, and you can follow all updates on my Bandcamp or Instagram page.”
I’ve really enjoyed the figurative lyricism on ‘Too Early At The Party’ and ‘The Blue Box In The Sky (Dr…Who?). How would you describe your songwriting technique?
Amaury: “Thank you!”
“I’d say my process is pretty spontaneous. I usually start on piano or guitar, fool around, and record quick voice memos on my phone. If something doesn’t click within a few minutes, I either delete it or let it go. I like keeping things raw and immediate.”
“For Too Early at the Party, I actually wrote most of it on mandolin ,which was quite a challenge because I was hearing all these extended chords in my head, and playing them on mandolin was… a real pain in my a…!”
“Another track, This Way, was composed entirely on cello, which gives it a very cinematic mood. It ended up as a sort of homage to Taxi Driver and Bernard Hermann, especially in the brass swells and extended jazz harmonies.”
“Usually, music and melody come first, then the lyrics. But for almost all the tracks this time, I wrote the lyrics first, and I think it served the songs way better that way. When I ever get stuck but want to keep going, I take my dog for a walk. It helps clear the head, boost blood flow and new ideas often pop up.”
Can you tell us more about how pop culture and literature influences your music?
Amaury: “Funny enough, I never studied music… but I did study literature, so i guess it is natural Literature is a big influence somewhat. I sadly don’t read as much as I used to, but it’s still a huge part of who I am.”
“There are also lots of Easter eggs and references hidden throughout the album. The Blue Box in the Sky is obviously inspired by Doctor Who, and actually includes references to specific episodes can you spot them?”
“Too Early at the Party includes nods to both Frank Zappa and American Psycho. Though, wrote it after attending a bizarre industry party last year and it’s mostly about that, and my very introverted nature.”
“I try to stay informed about the world, even if it’s a bit depressing right now. When you write songs, I think it’s important to stay open and honest.”
“Everything is an influence when you are cretaive. You become a sort of vessel for emotions and impressions that need to be translated ( into sounds in my case ). As I said, music is a snapshot of your inner life and the times you live in.That might be why there’s a quiet undercurrent of anger in some of the album’s songs.”
If you could work with anyone in the music industry who would it be and why?
Amaury: That’s a tough one… but here’s a short list:
“I recently discovered an Australian indie band from the late ’90s called Epicure, and I absolutely fell in love with their sound. I’d love to collaborate with their singer, Juan Alban. He’s released some beautiful solo work, especially his latest album Guilt Zone.”
“On a more “hard-to-reach” level: Van Dyke Parks, for his legendary work on Pet Sounds and his collaborations with Silverchair.”
“I’d also love to work with Guillaume Nicolas, who runs Studio Lumière 13 near Paris. It’s a kind of living museum of instruments and vintage gear and he works entirely on tape, which I find fascinating and very close to my philosophy.”
“That said, there are probably even more people I’d like to collaborate within the film industry than the music world! I guess this is for another interview :)”
Which of your musical achievements are you most proud of?
Amaury: “That’s a tough question…”
“I usually close each chapter once a project is done and move on pretty quickly. Writing music is also a form of introspection for me: a way to process things quietly, and sometimes honestly even a way to avoid facing myself more directly.”
“That said, this upcoming album is without a doubt one of the best things I’ve ever written. It reflects a new level of maturity and brings together all the different sides of who I am, as a person, as an awarded film composer, and as a songwriter.”
“Apart form that, I think I’m also proud of the score I composed last year for an animated feature. I had only 8 weeks to write, record and deliver a mix of nearly 90 minutes of music alone, spanning classical, jazz, a bit of electronic elements, pop songs and rock. It was intense, but so much fun. I also won Best composer at the Independent Days Film Festival with this film, Elli and Her Monster Team, so I guess there was also some quality to it. It’s available on all streaming platforms if you’re curious to hear that.”
Can you share any tips you have for artists navigating the music industry?
Amaury: “Yes a few that I think are really important:
“Don’t be lazy, and don’t rely on AI for anything creative! Use it as a tool if you’re stuck, sure, but don’t let it replace your own brain and feelings. They’re your most powerful creative tools.”
“Don’t spend too much time on socials, and especially don’t compare yourself to others. You’re only seeing the polished highlight reel, not the struggles and that can take a real toll on your mental health.”
“Be open. Be honest. Aim for originality and quality not for stream counts.”
“Never give up. Never give in.”
You can listen to Too Early At The Party and Blue Box In The Sky (Dr…Who?) here:
https://open.spotify.com/album/5t7sVL0d17ika61TsKmah2?si=sQMfl9F1R4uRbnZOrr9Ppg