INTERVIEW: Archi Deep — Music Musings & Such

INTERVIEW:

Archi Deep

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FRANCE is a nation I do not get…

to go to that often! It is always great when I have a genuine excuse to interview a great artist from there. That brings me to the awesome force of Archi Deep – this is not the first time I have encountered the terrific duo (formally, a band). I talk to them about their upcoming, eponymous album/mini-album; what we can expect from its lead single, I’m Just a Man (out on 15th April) – and what comes next for them.

They discuss their formation and influences; whether there are any tour dates confirmed; how their music has evolved through time; whether there is a good music scene in their part of France – and whether we will see them come to the U.K. this year.

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Hi, guys. How are you? How has your week been?

Feeling pretty good! Road-trippin’ in California - so, not too bad!

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourselves, please?

We’re a guitar-and-drums band from Oleron Island in France; giving our guts on stage and feelings in our songs. Oh, and, by the way...we’re called Archi Deep.

It has been pretty cold and snowy recently over here! What is it like where you are?

It’s has been here too. Just before we left, it was minus-twelve-degrees-Celsius (so cold) and we landed in L.A. - it was twenty-five!

I’ll call that a big jump!

The eponymous mini-album is out soon. What was it like recording it? Was it quite a fun recording?

Yes. It was a long journey to get to the end of it: dealing with schedules, music business appointments; but, at last, it’s here. It’s been finished for a year now - and we’re currently working on the first full-length!

As usual, the recording was amazing. It’s always good to play your songs and to hear them come alive; blowin’ out by the speakers in the control room! We can’t thank enough the ones that helped us arranged and produce it: Dominique Ledudal, Lucas Thiefaine and Frederic Scamps (thank you, guys).

Are there general themes that inspired the songwriting on the album?

I think it’s always the story of a man who can’t accept it: schizophrenic on the edge, lover on the other side; a boy who wants to keep growing but still refuses to inside!

I’m Just a Man is out on 15th April – the first single from the L.P. What is the story behind that one?

It’s about things you don’t wanna deal with when you’re supposed to be an adult. So, it’s a take-it-or-leave-it-here song...

How did Archi Deep come together? What attracted you to one another?

Archi Deep was a solo band, then a trio…and now a duo. We say that pair is stable, so here we are! The music is what got us together and will keep us rocking as long as we get it burning inside.

It seems like classic Rock and 1950s music is a draw for you guys. Which artists and genres are you influenced by?

Some obvious ones like The Beatles, Nirvana; Led Zeppelin, but also, artists like White Denim, Tingsek …Rap, Soul; Classical and, mainly, us. We’re trying to get truer with what’s inside us so, I’ll say, the main influence is Archi Deep.

You are based on Oleron Island. Is there a music scene there? Is it easy getting gigs?

There’s quite a lot of bands - but not much of a music scene…

It comes (a bit more) alive in the summer; so, you can easily get pub gigs or acoustic gigs around - but we’re mainly playing outside everywhere people ask us to!

What gigs do you have coming up? Where can we see you play?

Keep checking www.archideep.com or our Facebook to get the latest news about that. A part of it should be revealed soon!

Do you think the U.K. will be among your gig plans?

Hopefully, it will! For those reading this, feel free to give us a shot and we’ll come your way as soon as we can.

What do you hope to achieve in 2018?

Tour a lot, get the new C.D. done; expand our gig-reach to include a lot more places, meet you guys on the road – and keep kicking it again and again!

Have you each got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

When people come at the end of the show and say: “Thank you, you were my first real Rock gig“…

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Don’t give up, keep it focused: they'll always be a place for you!

IN THIS PHOTO: Mama's Gun

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

You could check out our friends from Gold Phoenix (just got back from a tour); Mama's Gun (a power trio, a la Zeppelin); Lysistrata - that are killing it all over the place right now - Krazolta who released an all analogic album with Clive Martin on board - and MAMA (a French Psych. band that are getting really good at it!).

IN THIS PHOTO: Lysistrata/PHOTO CREDIT: Max Chill Photography

There are many more, many more. I’ll just say: keep an eye out there and don’t be afraid to discover!

Do you both get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

Not much. Julien (the drummer) is on tour doing replacements and studio recording pretty much all-year-long and, on my side, I’m doing recording work and all the ‘dark work’ of getting the album seen; the tour, etc…

Finally, and for being good sports; you can each choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

Tingsek - Gas Station Gus (Live at Ljupet)