I sat down with The Art of the Sun, an independent artist, composer, and musician, and we chatted about writing process, the best advice to give to your younger self and the latest release ‘Imaginary Journeys’.
To anyone new to your music, name 3 words that best describe your sound.
Inspirational, soothing, genre fusion.
Introduce yourself (yourselves) and your hidden talent!
I am ‘The Art of the Sun,’ an independent artist, composer, and musician, based in France. I’ve been playing instruments for a while, but I had a strong desire to dive into the world of composition. With my new album I took a back-to-basics approach, favoring analog tools over modern technology to keep my focus on the creative process. I enjoyed blending vintage sounds from old rhythm boxes and analog synthesizers. I even embraced the imperfections in some notes, seeing them as a form of expression. And I used genuine guitars without excessive filtering. Essentially, I aimed for a classic, old-school approach to playing instruments but with a modern twist when it came to mixing.
What’s your writing process like? Do you write the music or lyrics first?
Well, this album marked a significant departure from my usual approach to composition, as I deliberately embraced the challenge of working within the musical styles that have profoundly shaped my journey through various life phases. It was, in essence, a conscious choice to channel my creativity through the constraints of these stylistic phases, akin to a momentary artistic discipline.
Much like the tradition in oriental music, where certain rules serve as the framework for mood and expression, I sought to infuse my own identity into this structured canvas. In this endeavor, I intentionally avoided the confines of predefined genres, opting instead to immerse myself fully in the rich cultural tapestry of the diverse musical traditions that have influenced me. It was an exploration of artistic discipline and cultural reverence, where each tradition’s essence found a place in the symphony of my expression.
And when the creation ends, it is enough to throw away the concept of discipline and look with a new eye, and view, with fresh eyes, that self-reinvented part of ourselves that we have become.
As I immersed myself in the recording process, I came to realize that this wasn’t about mere gaps; it was a quest for unity. Music’s power lies precisely in its ability to transcend styles, defy categories, and shatter hierarchies – to bring people together, to open hearts, to breathe life into freedom, and to convey the universal, undeniably human essence that lies within us all.
Isn’t that, after all, the enigmatic secret of music’s boundless universality?
What’s the best advice you’d give to your younger self?
I believe that today, more than ever, anyone can make music: the possibilities for creating, sharing, and connecting with communities all over the world are fantastic. It’s a remarkable era, even though it’s true that the internet has disrupted all the norms. 30 or 40 years ago, it took a lot of money to get started, with essential analog equipment, major record labels, and distributors making life difficult for independent artists. Today, things aren’t necessarily easy either, but if I were to give advice, it would be to create the music that deeply resonates with you, the one that speaks to you and sets you free. Accept that it is a part of yourselves and don’t always conform to the “music experts” who typically have a short-term vision. Be yourselves, make good music, don’t copy, but instead, draw inspiration. There’s no recipe; you have to let your heart speak, and the rest will come with time, when destiny decides.
Tell MoggBlog viewers about your latest release! What’s the inspiration behind that?
‘Imaginary Journeys’ album is set to be released on December 8, 2023. The album is built around the concept of a musical frieze divided into four parts, reflecting the various stages of my musical journey and exploring diverse styles, ranging from synth-rock, electro-funk, world music, neo-classical, and delving into the realms of electronic music.
The first single has been released the September 22, 2023 and is titled ‘Dreams’ serves as a preview of Part I (essentially my first years with music). It embodies a lively retro-funk – disco-pop spirit, in the vein of Funkadelic, Parliament, Isaac Hayes and is paying homage to the iconic 1972 Wattstax funk festival that unleashed a wave of positive energy through funk and music.
Mark your calendars for the forthcoming release of the second single! ‘Life,’ on October 6, 2023. This track serves as the opening act for Part II of the album, which is characterized by its exploration of diverse musical genres and cultures. ‘Life’ is a meticulously crafted neo-classical composition, echoing the mood of artists like Nils Frahm. It’s a sonic journey enriched with analog sounds, promising a truly unique listening experience that you’ll have to hear to fully appreciate!
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