Multitalented French musician Sebastien Tellier has been very busy this year. His 5th studio album, L’Aventura, was released earlier this month by Because Music UK and officially launched in London at private members’s club LIBRARY.
We were eager to unearth the inspirations behind Brazilian-influenced L’Aventura and find out a little more about the man behind the music…
INTERVIEW
What is your most powerful memory of music growing up?
“Video killed the radio star” by The Buggles : my father played the 12″ all the time at home. He probably had a blockage with it, I think.
Can you tell us about L’Aventura in your own words? What are the inspirations behind the new album?
The idea was to erase the banality of childhood and to recreate one that was happier, in a country with an eternally childlike soul. It first started in a taxi in Rio: the radio played 70’s funk psychedelic Brazilian music, and I knew that was where I wanted to go.
How has your sound evolved?
Well, according to my desires of the moment. I become attached and detach myself very fast and very strongly.
Do you have an all-time favourite record or band?
Beyond tastes, and objectively, Stevie Wonder is the best…
Any new artists you are listening to we need to know about?
Connan Mockasin. His latest album is wonderful. He made an “elastic rock” kind of music I would have liked to create.
You’ve just been in London for the L’Aventura launch night at LIBRARY. What’s your ultimate London hangout?
I dont remember the name, but it’s a place where you just have to push a button to get champagne. Fabulous!
Where is your favourite place to be in the world?
The Lake Garda in Italy. It’s where I got married, and it’s the only place I’d like to spend my old days at.
What have you got planned for the rest of the year?
My European tour! I’ll start working on it in September, and then dates until Christmas. I will have to adapt all my past tracks.
If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing?
I would have been an illusionist whose shows cost millions of dollars, with dirigibles and vodka.
What was the last thing that really made you stop and stare?
In London, I saw a Fender Telecaster. What a beautiful guitar from the 50’s!
Read about Sebastien Tellier’s album launch at LIBRARY London here.
