Neglect Avoid INTERVIEw
with Johan Girardeau, Guillaume Rieth and Antoine Royer
with Johan Girardeau, Guillaume Rieth and Antoine Royer
"If people are debating the genre of our music, it's maybe because our music is unique enough so everyone can’t agree
on the right box in which to put it"
on the right box in which to put it"
Johan Girardeau, Guillaume Rieth and Antoine Royer talk about new CELESTE album Assassine(s), being lucky to face lockdown troubles and about things that make them angry and happy
Neglect Avoid: We are all tired as hell of the pandemic, but I have to ask about it. How has your life changed in spring 2020 and what have you lost and gained during these two years – personally and as CELESTE?
Johan Girardeau: I have to admit that even if I first felt like that this pandemic would be a thing I would forget rapidly, I do now think that it had a great influence on who I am right now. Thanks to it I do understand even more what I was really seeking for in my life which is freedom through having free time. I'm a super busy guy, and I'm still right now, but my idea now is to find some free time as soon as possible. I knew it already but it's never been as clear as it is right now, and I'm quite thankful for that
For CELESTE it was a very good period. Of course we had to cancel some shows and to postpone important things, but in the end I think that we've been lucky to face these troubles. We had the opportunity to focus on the writing process of this album, to produce videoclips, to work on the promotion etc. All these things helped to do a very strong album.
Johan Girardeau: I have to admit that even if I first felt like that this pandemic would be a thing I would forget rapidly, I do now think that it had a great influence on who I am right now. Thanks to it I do understand even more what I was really seeking for in my life which is freedom through having free time. I'm a super busy guy, and I'm still right now, but my idea now is to find some free time as soon as possible. I knew it already but it's never been as clear as it is right now, and I'm quite thankful for that
For CELESTE it was a very good period. Of course we had to cancel some shows and to postpone important things, but in the end I think that we've been lucky to face these troubles. We had the opportunity to focus on the writing process of this album, to produce videoclips, to work on the promotion etc. All these things helped to do a very strong album.
Neglect Avoid: In your latest interview for hardforce.com you told that Assassine(s) has been born during the first lockdown and that you [as well as most of the other musicians] had to compose each part on your own before combining them into a single composition. Would you like to use this technique creating new music, even if you won’t have to act separately ever again?
Guillaume Rieth: Definitely yes! I think there will be no turning back. This composition process has really proven itself for this album. It allows us to better bring our ideas further and to have a satisfying rendering which allows us to very quickly identify whether the ideas are good or bad. And to do lots of testing also. Even if it's time-consuming to record all the instruments, it's much more easy than meeting all together in our rehearsal room every week, waiting that everyone learn how to play his part… Finally you have to be much more patient and it’s even more time-consuming.
Also in the past a lot of songs project or guitar riffs ended up in the trash due to a lack of patience or idea to orchestrate or ability to project ourselves.
Guillaume Rieth: Definitely yes! I think there will be no turning back. This composition process has really proven itself for this album. It allows us to better bring our ideas further and to have a satisfying rendering which allows us to very quickly identify whether the ideas are good or bad. And to do lots of testing also. Even if it's time-consuming to record all the instruments, it's much more easy than meeting all together in our rehearsal room every week, waiting that everyone learn how to play his part… Finally you have to be much more patient and it’s even more time-consuming.
Also in the past a lot of songs project or guitar riffs ended up in the trash due to a lack of patience or idea to orchestrate or ability to project ourselves.
Neglect Avoid: Your style – in music, album cover art and visual aspect of your shows – is very recognizable and, I’d rather say, conservative. Anyway, aren’t you preparing any surprises for upcoming CELESTE shows in Moscow and Saint Petersburg?
Antoine Royer: We’ve been thinking and preparing some new stuffs that will be integrated for our upcoming shows, we will not reveal the details for now to keep the surprise. But the thing is, that we’re touring by plane and we can’t take everything we need for the staging with us unfortunately. So for the Russian shows it will not be possible to share all the new things we’ve been working on. We hope you will still enjoy our performance!
Antoine Royer: We’ve been thinking and preparing some new stuffs that will be integrated for our upcoming shows, we will not reveal the details for now to keep the surprise. But the thing is, that we’re touring by plane and we can’t take everything we need for the staging with us unfortunately. So for the Russian shows it will not be possible to share all the new things we’ve been working on. We hope you will still enjoy our performance!
Neglect Avoid: CELESTE has performed in Russia for many times. Which of your visits won’t you ever forget and why?
Antoine Royer: Yes we played several times in Russia, but for me I think the most memorable was the first time we played over there in 2009. People were really crazy in the audience and people were also on stage, hands up, really enjoying putting their energy at maximum to live the show. They were also very pleased to see us. It was I think, at that time, the craziest show we ever experienced. The second time in 2010 were also very good but less surprised so definitely the first we played there ever. Hope people will be in the same mood when we will come on stage next week!
Antoine Royer: Yes we played several times in Russia, but for me I think the most memorable was the first time we played over there in 2009. People were really crazy in the audience and people were also on stage, hands up, really enjoying putting their energy at maximum to live the show. They were also very pleased to see us. It was I think, at that time, the craziest show we ever experienced. The second time in 2010 were also very good but less surprised so definitely the first we played there ever. Hope people will be in the same mood when we will come on stage next week!
Neglect Avoid: Couple of years ago I made a list of “the coolest album covers to save the Universe” and put Animale(s) cover on the top of it (no tricks, you may see it on my Facebook page haha). To be serious, each of CELESTE album covers tells its own story, but the narrative is always ambiguous, multilayered and heartrending as well. Which of them is your favorite? And which one was the hardest to create?
Johan Girardeau: Thank you very much, I'm really grateful for that.
My favorite is still Animale(s) even if I honestly enjoy and love our album covers. There''s something happening with this artwork which really reflects my taste for imagery. And that's by the way also why you find back these elements in a videoclip such as "Le Cœur Noir Charbon".
The hardest to create was definitely the last one. I had to fly to Bulgaria, the shooting session was super tough. I think it's really hard to imagine all the work that was done to produce these pictures. But hopefully I'm always with great people who are helping me to develop my ideas.
Johan Girardeau: Thank you very much, I'm really grateful for that.
My favorite is still Animale(s) even if I honestly enjoy and love our album covers. There''s something happening with this artwork which really reflects my taste for imagery. And that's by the way also why you find back these elements in a videoclip such as "Le Cœur Noir Charbon".
The hardest to create was definitely the last one. I had to fly to Bulgaria, the shooting session was super tough. I think it's really hard to imagine all the work that was done to produce these pictures. But hopefully I'm always with great people who are helping me to develop my ideas.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CW5qILAI1T4/
Neglect Avoid: I know that you don’t mind being called a black metal band. But when it comes up to attributing CELESTE music to a specific metal subgenre, there’s always an argument between your listeners, especially on the Internet. Have you ever read any internet discussions on CELESTE music? And have you ever felt like taking part in the argument?
Guillaume Rieth: Indeed it is a label that often comes up to define our music.
It doesn’t matter because we have never wanted to belong to one musical genre. Our main motivation has always been to produce dark music like no other band. Of course we have some influences and drawn some inspiration from our personal tastes, but without ever trying to define our musical orientation with musical styles names.
If people are debating the genre of our music, it's maybe because our music is unique enough so everyone can’t agree on the right box in which to put it.
And yes I have already read on YouTube some arguments between listeners who claim to have found the perfect subgenre to label our music. It’s funny to see that people try to find the perfect denomination when we ourselves don’t know it!
Guillaume Rieth: Indeed it is a label that often comes up to define our music.
It doesn’t matter because we have never wanted to belong to one musical genre. Our main motivation has always been to produce dark music like no other band. Of course we have some influences and drawn some inspiration from our personal tastes, but without ever trying to define our musical orientation with musical styles names.
If people are debating the genre of our music, it's maybe because our music is unique enough so everyone can’t agree on the right box in which to put it.
And yes I have already read on YouTube some arguments between listeners who claim to have found the perfect subgenre to label our music. It’s funny to see that people try to find the perfect denomination when we ourselves don’t know it!
Neglect Avoid: What things make you happy and angry – in creating music, in music industry and in other aspects of your life?
Johan Girardeau: What makes me angry in the music industry is to see many bands doing very random or hideous music ending being very famous while amazing artists keep staying in the dark. The short attention span of people is also something that makes me angry.
In creating music I'm angry when I fight to find the right riff, and I'm often angry at my self for not spending more time writing music.
In my life I'm angry when I miss time for myself.
What makes me happy in the music business is when I find a band I enjoy which is quite rare. What I like in creation is the outcome. What I enjoy in life is being on tour and drinking beers.
Johan Girardeau: What makes me angry in the music industry is to see many bands doing very random or hideous music ending being very famous while amazing artists keep staying in the dark. The short attention span of people is also something that makes me angry.
In creating music I'm angry when I fight to find the right riff, and I'm often angry at my self for not spending more time writing music.
In my life I'm angry when I miss time for myself.
What makes me happy in the music business is when I find a band I enjoy which is quite rare. What I like in creation is the outcome. What I enjoy in life is being on tour and drinking beers.
Russian version of the interview: https://vk.com/@gosbooking-celeste-interview-2022
