For those of you who don’t know me, my entire apartment is decorated in French decor. I love the city of Paris, and have spent a lot of time there. From the Eiffel Tower to the beaches of Normandy, France just captured my heart the first time I visited. Ever since I have been hooked on their culture and their way of life. That is why, when this young artist contacted me for an interview, I was delighted to give her music a listen. From the first note, I was again hooked. It wasn’t because all of the lyrics were in French (although that did help as I like to listen to music in foreign languages), it was because the sound is something so powerful, something so epic that I had to sit down. I am not kidding here, listen to some of this work and tell me you are not inspired. Then I saw the music video for the tune I Don’t Care. You want to talk about a good song, let alone a magical video. Just watch, you will see. It was my pleasure to sit down with this artist, and it my absolute pleasure to introduce you to her here today. I am sitting with French performing artist Aube L.
Wait a second, you are from France? Are you born and raised in France?
Yes, I was born and I grew up the south of France.
You will be happy to know that my entire apartment is decorated in French décor. I love Paris. Do you visit Paris quite often?
Oh yes, Paris is beautiful and has something unique! I’m curious to see how an appartement is decorated in French décor! I like the culture and the movement of this town but, I miss the sun a lot and sometimes the silence too!
How long have you been performing?
Oh, it has been almost two and a half years.
Some of your tracks are in English. Some of them are in French. How do you decide which language you want to use?
That’s a good question! The only thing that helps me decide is the musicality of the word. You know, French is a special language. Every word has a musicality almost brutal and broken. In English, the words ring soft, tender flexible and melodic.
When we sing, we need to feel that the language goes out of the body as a long continuous thread which we bring out as one goes along… And my way of singing asks me to use tones which leave me the possibility of passing of the grave in the treble with no problem at all.
How did you learn how to speak (and to type) in English?
Oh it’s funny, I learned to speak English by writing songs and letters. In this period, I corresponded with a German boy (“heysleepyhead “). We made songs together (“Oh I Felt”). And, even today, my English is not perfect but I try very hard!
Have you ever been to the United States?
Never. But it would be great to be able to visit one day!
Who are some of your biggest influences?
I have so many musical, film, literary influences… My influences are human! In all I listen, see, breathe, read, I search the human being behind. But, musically, I have a big admiration for Björk! Her inspiration and her liberty have no limit.
I assume traveling to other countries in Europe is similar to traveling to other states here in America. Do you travel often?
Yes, but not enough! I like performing everywhere! Meet lots of people, discover other streets, other worlds. It is always so enriching humanely… And then, I am lucky because my music arouses a really particular human contact. People are what they are with me by forgetting all the masks which they give themselves socially. I love that!
What is the biggest crowd you have ever played for?
(Laughs) People in the street! I say it almost like a joke but, there is some truth in this sentence. I have played in La Cigale, it is a big concert hall in Paris. It was intense!
The smallest?
One time, I sang in a bar and I was blinded by the light, I could only see two persons! One man, totally drunk, and my friend! It was really hard for me, I had the feeling to play for a empty room, but I have learnt something. You don’t know really how you touch and who are here! When I have finished, a man that I had not seen before came up to me and said. “This concert was very important to him”. And, one day later, I receive a mail from a man who explains me how he lived my concert and he says me that never, he would never forget this moment. This mail was very touching.
So, I have understood that the most important thing is to sing for the univers when you think that you have nobody in front of you.
Where do you get your inspiration for a new track?
For years, I have found my inspiration in my past… After, it was my present, here and now, but always linked to my past. And today, i’m really surprised because all my lyrics concern the world, people and life! How can we live and make better in our lives, in our own truth? How can we be happy? I think I’m growing up!
What is your first memory of the guitar?
Oh, it’s a good question! My way with the music is a little bit particular! I have learnt the violin when I was a child. And when I stopped playing it (13 years old), I quit everything . But, some years after, when I got a guitar, I felt like it was the key to a door of some place inside of me, some place hidden for so many years! So, my first memory of the guitar is like a feeling to be born.
Tell me a little bit more about Souls to the Wind.
Souls to the Wind is an album about living plainly and also about the fear of falling! all of songs are like this question: what can we do to touch the light with our dark side?
What would you be doing if you were not performing?
Wow, what a question! I think that I would have been a psychiatrist! I am very fascinated by the strength of the human being. We can survive and adapt ourselves to everything, it is a question of the way you think. Everything that I make is on that: how I am made to survive?
Do you write all of your own lyrics?
Yes. During a period of my life (when music was not in my life), I wanted to be a writer! I am passionate by language. And, I have learnt to live by reading! To write is the possibility to share and speak all the things that I care about! Anyway, I know that silence is death, I speak to live.
Your video for I Don’t Care is incredible. Where did you come up with that idea?
Yes, I am still under this video’s spell! I have had the great chance to meet Arnaud Lalanne, the director. He is the one who had all those awesome ideas… He asked me to talk about the story of my song and he found the best way to make those ideas pictured. Everything is magic and beautiful in this video!
Where did you film that? It is so epic!
Oh yes, it was literally epic indeed! I had never touched a horse before, and when we have made the part in the forest, it rained every five minutes! But it was magic because every one here was incredible! Very talented and so human! A truly timeless moment.
How many tattoos do you have?
(Laughs) Your questions surprises me! I have certain number of tattoos… Now, I don’t know exactly how many! Maybe 15! For me, I try to make a tattoo looks like a ritual. When I spent an important step of my life, I crystallize it in an image or a symbol. You can read my story on my body…
I see you have some live shows coming up. What can someone expect from you in a live performance?
Oh, it is difficult to say but I can say how is the scene for me! It’s as if you built a unique world to share with people present in the room. An earth where each one lives what he is in the most true part. For me, it looks like a crossing of appearances and I think that it is the same for every body else… A lot of people come to see me at the end of the concert and say to me that they were profoundly touched and that they had the sensation to live a timeless moment. I can just say that I bring on stage all that I am and all which made me with all my sincerity.
Your website and your MySpace page use the color red. Not just any red, a deep, dark red. Is there any reason for that? (I must say, it fits your sound perfectly.)
This color came naturally… And now that you say it, maybe that this red looks like blood! And, finally, when you think of it, the blood is the life, the blood symbolizes the joy of living! When you lose it, you are afraid of dying!!
Fade Into the Moon has a radio version. Is your work on the radio in Europe?
Yes! Little by little, my songs get to air on the radio!
You are way too talented to not be on a record label. Are you actively seeking representation?
Oh thank you! I just can say that French have a very intellectual relation with the music while everywhere else, the music comes through the body. And it goes without saying that labels looking for products have no interests in me.
So, I follow my path and as my music travels from hearts to hearts, I have good hope to be able to touch some more people!
What is the best concert you have ever been to?
It was a concert of Gossip! It was magic to feel this special connection between every persons and beth Ditto!! in those moments we feel full of love and strength!
You had a song in Des Illusions. What was like that hearing your work on the big screen?
Oh! I actually did all music for this movie and it was very touching and great to listen to those songs I wrote while at the movies!
You are on Facebook, MySpace, and have a website. How do you keep all these social media sites straight?
Oh, all by myself! It is one major discovery when you become a musician, you become too a industry director! It’s not always so much fun for me, but I accept it… until I find some interesting label!
Tell me about the rest of your band mates.
Oh, I am alone! I decided to work alone on this album and on tour. During a certain time, I have played with musicians. My envy evolved and also my musical style finally! When I played with 4 musicians on stage, I was in a post rock period and I wanted a massive sound!
And one day, I wanted much more relief, silences, delicacy and nevertheless strong. Then, I tried to play in duet with Syn-, who was in the bass and the guitar. It was brilliant but I wanted to be able to touch people even more. I understood that I would have this sharing only by playing only. Playing alone make you completely free and involved at every moment with the audience. Everything gets more intense! Today, I want this connection but at the same time, I would love to work with an orchestra!
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I see myself on a big scene with a lot of people and we are all united and connected as all the trees of a forest are!! Seriously, music makes my heart beat and carries me through life to an extent I could not have possibly thought! One day, after a concert, someone told me, “Really, you don’t sing, you are!” I was impressed by the strength of what she said to me because yes, when I sing, I feel that I am where I was meant to be and this much more strongly when I sing for people.
What do you want to be remembered for when this is all said and done?
Wow! This question is not easy! Maybe that i made music like i lived, with my heart and with sincerity!
I always let the artist get the last word. Go.
First of all, I want to thank every people who are helping me on my way! And I’m really lucky! I didn’t forget where I come from and i know that if I became who I am, it is because I have met a lot of people full of love, faith and generosity. And, particularly for Souls to the Wind“, thanks to Jo.ha.nD who made me the artwork, Siegfried Hand who made me the mastering and Arnaud Lalanne for his beautiful pictures on the cd and this incredible video clip!
My last words will be to wish to everyone to keeping their souls to the wind, it is my way of saying that as long as we are really ALIVE, we will be making ourselves a better world!
