Parisian Thibaut Berland delivers his superb debut album ‘By Your Side’
Thibaut welcome to DMCWORLD Magazine. Exciting times for you at the moment as the first single is about to drop from your hugely anticipated debut album ‘By Your Side’. Let’s begin with you telling us about single number one ‘One Out Of Two’, why did you choose this track as the debut single…
“I chose this track because it represents the album pretty well, it has this ‘melted cheese’ vibe to it. I really like what Irfane did, the track owes a lot to his song writing talent! I think Irina Dakeva (who directed the video) did a fantastic job too.”
We have been told the album conjures up the ghosts of the Doobie Brothers, Todd Rundgren and Hall and Oates…how does that sound to you?
“It’s a nice compliment! But let’s be honest, I can’t compete with Todd Rundgren, Hall & Oates… I am working on it though.”
Can you reveal how LA based vocalist Ruckazoid appears on the album singing on ‘Fantasy’, ‘Why’ and ‘You Should Know’ – what a voice, it’s as if Michael Jackson is in the building…
“I love Rucka! Once I was at a friend’s place in LA and he played me some Ruckazoid tracks. Obviously I fell in love with his voice. We met a few days after and talked about music went out and became mates. Fantasy was actually a track that he already wrote. All I did is take the vocal and make another instrumental. Then we worked through the magical world of internet.”
Another vocalist who features heavily on the album is Irfane of Outlines, who features on five tracks. How was that experience?
“He’s such a cool dude. I noticed his voice on the track “Sweet Night” by Krazy Baldhead, and I met him at a party. The first track we did together was Baby I’m Yours. I have a feeling that we are complementary – his vocal treatments definitely bring the tracks to a whole other level. LIke Ruckazoid, he turns my computer-made instrumentals into pop songs. Big up to Bjorn Synneby who also sings on “By Your Side” part 1 & 2.”
Tough question, what is your favourite track on the album?
“I don’t have any, I listen to other artists!”
How long did the long player take to create?
“About two years, which is quite a long time for a few songs. I’m so slow!”
“Breakbot is a dude in a basement looking for melodies”. A quote from you. Discuss…
“It’s time to get back in the basement and make some new stuff.”
We all know that we owe a massive pat on the back to your brother who introduced you to the world of music by making tapes of Prince, Stevie Wonder, Madonna, Phil Collins etc. for you. If you had to return the favour to him now, what would be your current top 10 you would put on a mixture for him?
Paul Davis – I Go Crazy
Rose Royce – Wishing On A Star
Justice – On’n’On
Tame Impalah – Solitude Is Bliss
Kindness – House
The Rah Band – Messages From The Stars
Whitney Houston – Thinking About You
Cam’ron – Oh Boy
Kendrick Lamar & Dre – The Recipe
Major Lazer – Get Free
Eagles – I Can’t Tell You Why
You love going on tour with your Ed Banger label mates. What is the best ‘on tour’ story there has ever been?
“Once we all played around a volcano and we played so loud that the volcano erupted. The promoter was unhappy. There was another story that involved kittens riding dolphins but it’s way too long to tell it here.”
What is the best and worst thing about living in Paris?
“The best thing is that most of my friends live here, the worst thing is that a little more sun wouldn’t hurt.”
You say that in the studio, “I do everything myself except the vocals”. What is your favourite musical instrument and what has been the hardest to learn?
“It’s not true on this album, my brother play the keys on a few tracks, and I have some friends playing guitars too. My favorite instrument is the piano and nothing was hard to learn, in fact I didn’t learn much! The album is almost all in the same key.”
What are the plans work wise now for the rest of 2012…
“I work on the live show to prepare the “by your side” tour, I’ve got a few remixes to do, and I will start working on some new tracks.”
And finally, have your big feet ever got you in trouble?
“Yes sometimes they say tell me it’s “trop beaucoup”. Oh sorry you said feet!”
The album is out now on Ed Banger Records / Because Music. Buy it here…
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/by-your-side/id553574759?uo=4
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