1. At the begginings of Alcest you deviated to themes typical for black metal, musicaly it wasn´t also too different . But as the time passed Alcest begin to form as we will maybe see in „Souvenirs d'un autre monde“. Samples from Myspace are really interesting and they are showing the direction which is not so usual. Melancholy mixed with little dose of romance and pitifulness. Alcest are distinctively forming and changing, can we say that your personality is also changing? Will be this album another step in your live, a new chapter?
There were two periods for Alcest: the „Tristess hivernale“ period and the one that started with the writing of the MCD „Le secret“. In 2001, when the first demo got released, I wasn‘t interested by the prospect of writing traditional black metal anymore. Thus, when I wrote „Le secret“, I decided that Alcest would convey more personal and intimate set of themes. Except for the quality of the sound production, there is not a big difference between the MCD „Le secret“ and the album „Souvenirs d‘un autre monde“ as far as I‘m concerned. The themes I deal with are the same, so is my musical approach.
2. Talking about vocal department, on debut you will use more guests, and it looks like you completely turned back from black metal vocals. Can you tell briefly tell us what are the lyrics and if there is some concept? I suggest that lyrics are similar to music, so are they aimed on feelings?
Alcest is not a common „metal band“, it‘s a music at the service of a concept (not the contrary). This universe which is at the basis of the project has always been inside of me, and that is not until my teenage years that I‘ve decided to use it in order to write music. The first chapter of this journey was „Le secret“ and the album „Souvenirs….“ is just the sequel. Obviously, all the texts/visuals/riffs of Alcest are bound to this concept which is about the memories of a world I would have lived in before my earthly shape. I could try to describe this place precisely but no human word can succeed. That‘s why I prefer the „musical“ depiction which communicates in a straightforward way through emotions. The only thing I can say is that this place is disturbing, more beautiful and luminous than anything we know down here or even imagine in our wildest dreams. As if the landscapes and the human emotions, even the most intense ones, are just a bad copy of what you can see and experience in that place. The soul wanders, freed from its carnal shape, thus deprived of its five senses. This soul perceives what surrounds itself in a totally new way since the input of the body is no more. The anxiety, the illness, the fear of death do not exist anymore and you can feel infinite joy and peacefulness. This place is inhabited by luminous, protective and benevolent beings who communicate directly to the soul in a „language“ that is beyond words.
I feel an intense nostalgia towards these memories, something that could originate the melancholy displayed in my songs. The come-back to reality is difficult when you once had the opportunity to perceive the shores of this kingdom.
3. We´ll stay in same theme...In a title song „Printemps Émeraude“ we can hear a child´s shout, I think it is when they are playing, album cover also show child´s face. Why this fascination? What does means the title of album in english?
This period represents the best years of my life, I was truly happy and every day that went by did matter. My childhood was all about joy and heedless attitude really. Therefore, I‘ve decided to embody my childhood through a metaphor, an earthly representation of the feelings I had when remembering the kingdom of Alcest. Moreover, childhood was the period I felt the most comfortable in to enter into contact with this other dimension and to perceive the hidden realities. Now, my memories are scarce, blurry and vague. They have been replaced by the memories of my current life. The English translation of the album title is „Memories from another world“.
4. In your music there are plenty of acoustic moments, were you studying clasic guitar? And how long you are playing on this instrument? We often hear quite instrumentaly complex compositions, do you must write down your creations or you remember everything?
I‘ve been studying classic guitar for 2 years now but you can‘t find that on the album really. All the acoustic parts have been played with a plectrum on a electro-acoustic guitar or on a electric guitar with a clear sound. I don‘t have the courage to write down my music, everything is in my head.
5. From where does your inspiration flows? Are you inspired by common things, reading a lot, or you have some subject sources?
As far as my sources of inspiration are concerned, everything has been said in the second question.
6. Though it´s a quite moment since you recorded your novelty, my question will aim to this..: Do you like some moments more than others, and on which are you really proud?
The songs of the album are bound to each other but they could stand on their own and be listened to individually. Indeed, they deal with a common theme but with each with a light of their own. Each song represents one of the many fragments of the Alcest‘s universe. I can‘t really say what moments or what songs I prefer over the others, it really depends on my mood.
7. Do you see in this world more light or more darkness? Aren´t you trying with new album to bring a little of this light, a longing for something?
Obviously, this world is made of both but I think there is more darkness than light in our times (it would be difficult to say the contrary). To mirror the feelings we get down here is not the purpose of Alcest, but I would lie if I said that my daily life has no influence of any kind on my music. There are a few „earthly“ themes I really like to deal with (though they are in some way linked to the initial concept of the project): the innocence, to stand gazing at beauty, the nostalgia of happinness, to escape the grip of time, the sadness of love etc…. I deal with all these themes in the most discreet and clever way I can without dampening the words. It‘s a difficult task to find the right balance in order to avoid soppiness and sentimentality which I hate.
8. What is your stance and opinion about france BM scene? France underground is experiencing a big boom in a last years with a increasing popularity around the world. Plenty of fans are thinking that this must be great country for musicians, is it true? What is the real picture of french BM "from inside"?
Indded, since a few years, the French scene has really developped. It has managed to display quality and originality. I‘m thinking of Nuit Noire, Darvulia, Blut Aus Nord ("the work wich transforms god"), Deathspell Omega, Angmar, Spektr, Epheles, Blacklodge, etc... There is a lot really.
Though, I couldn’t speak to you about the status of the French black metal scene from an insider’s point of view since I’m only in contact with a few bands.
9. French is sounding really romantic, are the french people romantic too? What about you? What are your fellow citizens? Are they helpful and devoted?
As far as I‘m concerned, it‘s a cliché. French people are not more romantic than anyone else :-).
10. At the conclusion...Could you guess in which direction will Alcest evolve? You are signed for a 5 albums, which is quite far to little, but I believe that you won´t rip yourself off like some others musicians "like" to do...
I can‘t say where I‘m going to with my forthcoming albums since I don‘t have anything written. I’m slow at writing for I have a precise idea of the way my songs have to work out, all the riffs and arrangements that don’t fit are discarded. I only keep the best and the essential stuff. I prefer to release 3 accomplished, studied albums where each melody has a reason to be than 15 disjointed full-length pieces where good things are mixed with mediocrity. I’ll be blunt: I don’t think I’ll release a lot of albums, I will do so as long as I have faith in the concept of Alcest, as long as I feel the need to share my music and especially as long as I’m capable of writing good songs with this project.
11. Through everything what was answered and what has been not I believe that those 10 questions brought something... And I believe that your soul will be still transforming in a right direction.
Thanks to you.
Merci à toi pour l'interview.
