Both incredibly tuneful and catchy, Broken Back’s songs have been playing continuously in our heads and office! We met Jérôme, the young musician who initiated the band, and he told us more about his music, inspirations and conception of happiness. Here’s the portrait of a bundle of humility and sincerity, surrounded with melodious soundtracks.
When did you start Broken Back?
I started to get into music production a year and a half ago when I recorded a cover of Bon Iver’s “Skinny Love”. It was the first song I recorded myself and with my own material; and in that sense it was an initiative of sorts, paving the way for my future musical experiences. When I put the song online, I realised that I wanted to continue making music. At the time, I was in my third year at l’EDHEC (a renowned French university specialised in business), and I had one year left to complete my studies. Last June, I finally finished my course and decided to invest myself in Broken Back completely!
Did you ever take music lessons?
Yes, I had classes of classical music and jazz. I also studied music theory for 13 years in the conservatory of St Malo – rather unusual! Then, I had to stop for lack of time when I got into preparatory school, but I took up guitar and singing in the meanwhile.
So, musically speaking, you do a bit of everything?
Yes, you could say that! I write texts, compose and record my songs on my own. What I find fascinating about musical projects is that there is so much material to work on: the production, which entails the recording, the EP and the album… and then there’s also the “live” and practical dimension of it all: practicing the guitar, the singing; and rehearsing, rehearsing and rehearsing! Your music band works a bit like a growing business then!
Yes, it is quite similar! And I am actually very interested in entrepreneurship in general, and about getting involved in projects. I’m currently taking part in the development of the brand “De Rigueur”, and I also created a digital agency when I was studying.
Do you still have the time to participate in these projects today?
I have less time of course, but what’s great with my position and professional independence is that I can manage my time and adapt my schedule. In these projects, I am more involved with the creative tasks then I am with development or coding because it’s less time-consuming and I also appreciate it more. I am currently creating my own website as well, which should be launched very soon!
What do you talk about in your music?
My approach is immediately an “electro” approach, in terms of musical texture.
That quote helped me turn this situation into something positive, because I knew that things would eventually turn around, that I would someday be able to get up on my two feet again, and achieve what I’ve been achieving up to today. That’s also where the name “Broken Back” came from! All thanks to Albert Cohen’s rich and meaningful advice. And then there are other themes in your EP as well…The song “Dear Misfortune, Mother of Joy”, to be released on the 23rd of March, was inspired by a quotation by French poet and author Albert Cohen that I fell upon a year and a half ago. It said: “Misfortune is the genitor of tomorrow’s happiness”. That sentence spoke to me when I was writing songs – it was the idea that any unfortunate experience eventually begets collateral happiness. It all depends on what you believe in, and if you can conceive such a belief to be true. A year and a half ago, I had just displaced my vertebra, and it forced me to stay home for at least 6-8 months without being able to do or create anything. This was a difficult time for me both physically and psychologically, especially since I felt like I was falling behind in terms of work.
I see the song “Happiest Man on Earth” as the musical materialisation and transcription of the single second in which you find yourself content and profoundly happy. I wanted to put this magical moment down in writing and spread it musically. My personal moment of happiness is when I go to St Malo. It’s a simple and pure feeling, and I feel it each time I go back to the place and the people I love. It brings me an unmatchable peace of mind.
“Mild Blood”, on the other hand, is supposed to address what one can feel upon entering a unilateral relationship: the bitter-sweet sentiment of having feelings for someone but preferring to keep it for ourselves.
“Young Souls” is about the childhood dilemma of wishing for responsibilities and to be considered an adult, and consequently being willing to pay the price of insouciance. A paradoxical dilemma outlining the desire to grow up and discover the world, and subsequently suppressing the possibility of easygoingness and complete lack of existential concerns.
“Halycon Birds”, finally, is about second chance in love. I wanted to tie this concept with the Greek mythology of Alcyon, as an extended metaphor.
My personal moment of happiness is when I go to St Malo. It’s a simple and pure feeling, and I feel it each time I go back to the place and the people I love. It brings me an unmatchable peace of mind.
Can you tell us a bit more about Broken Back’s musical style?
I like it when the song is self-explanatory and harmoniously flowing, but coated nonetheless with a bit of electro. I feel like songs work better this way than when they are too obviously deconstructed.
I would say that it ends up being a mixture of electro, folk and deep. Folk because of the smooth voices, but also because of the structure of the songs and their composition and writing.
The electro edge can be found in the production. When I have my lyrics written down (already an ultimate sign of satisfaction!), I go in the studio and give it form. My approach is immediately an “electro” approach, in terms of musical texture. And of course, in electro there’s also the influence of deep; so all of these styles end up combined!
What are your personal influences?
When I was a kid, I used to listen to Buena Vista Social Club which I thought was absolutely great, and Supertramp. In terms of musical voices, I was really appealed by Cat Stevens’ tunes – I would listen to him all day long!
Are you alone on stage when you perform?
Well that’s exactly the point! If I were completely on my own, I don’t think I would be immensely successful – unless I decided to perform live folk concerts with only my guitar and my voice. But in order to have a solid live presence that will feel right, I need a percussionist on scene with me. And then there is also a lathe operator for the organisational side.
If you could be one place in France, what would you be?
Brittany. It’s really the place in which I’m most myself and consequently most happy. My studio is there, and it’s also where I spent my childhood.
If you were a cheese?
Without a doubt, a “Brin d’Amour”. The best goat cheese in my opinion, both soft and delicious.
Both incredibly tuneful and catchy, Broken Back’s songs have been playing continuously in our heads and office! We met Jérôme, the young musician who initiated the band, and he told us more about his music, inspirations and conception of happiness. Here’s the portrait of a bundle of humility and sincerity, surrounded with melodious soundtracks.
Thanks Jérôme !
You can follow Broken Back on his facebook page ! If you want to pre order the EP it’s here !
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