After spending the last few months turning out a wealth of rich and mesmerising delights, Parisian outfit Exsonvaldes continue their comeback with the release of their breezy new single 'Party People'.
Lifted from their long-awaited new album 'Maps', which is set to arrive soon, 'Party People' makes for a wonderfully warm and enticing listen. With its sweet and sweeping textures, vibrant atmosphere, and shimmering vocals layered throughout, they are returning to the fold with one of their most immersive outings to date.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with them to find out more about their origins and what has been inspiring them lately.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The electric guitar.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
Lots of different things from my parents' records collection: The Beatles, Kraftwerk, Jacques Brel, Pink Floyd,Toure Kunda, Barbara...
What was the first album you remember owning?
I remember buying the 7” single of “Smooth Criminal” by Michael Jackson, with my own money at the supermarket down the street. I don't think it was around the release of “Bad” but around the French release of the movie “Moonwalker”, so a few years later.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
That's a debate we actually had recently in the band. We settled on “Heart-Shaped Box” by Nirvana.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Find interesting stories or words that I like, and see where they can lead me. Like “Barbican”, on the new album, or before that “L'aérotrain”. I actually spend a lot of time on Wikipedia doing research work!
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Soft Loft, a band from Switzerland I recently discovered. Ferielle, an artist we produce on our label. And “Chaos For the Fly” by Grian Chatten, Fontaines DC's singer.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Probably for the Foo Fighters. We don't really listen to them anymore but it would be like a teenager's dream come true.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Creating something from scratch. Turning something ugly into something beautiful.
And what is the most frustrating part?
90% of what you write stays ugly.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Nobody cares about your music. So don't put too much pressure on yourself and do what you like!
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Exsonvaldes' new single 'Party People' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.