Artist
Hypnotic Peafowl Interview on Nagamag.com
Hypnotic Peafowl
Interview
Photo by Timothée Prézélus
Nagamag:
What are the genres that describe better your music style?
Hypnotic Peafowl:
Giving a very specific genre to my music is not easy. especially when it comes to my "alternative" productions. I think that my music is situated between Basse music with a jazzy side and synthetic textures like halfred or mindex ... and the ethnic and psychedelic side that we can find with merkaba music. The more time passes, the more my compositions are built around the musical instrument. My next outings will be much more hybrid with a very funk very colorful side. ideal music to listen to at home and play with a group in concert for example. but if I had to give only one name to write my "alternative" music I would say jazzy psybass
Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?
Hypnotic Peafowl:
For me everything went particularly fast.I don't have a past as an instrumentalist, I did some drums lessons at the age of 7 and I stopped there. I discovered the world of the night at a young age (14 years) with the meeting of friends who organized evenings in all the region where I lived. But it never occurred to me to make music. It's only been 4 years since I started composing MAO. I lived in a shared flat where a friend had a very old computer which was not useful to anyone with an old version of ableton (I laugh today because it took at least 20 minutes to turn on the computer haha) for no reason or any ambition i turned on ableton i typed "psytrance ableton" on you tub is since i haven't spent a day without making music. I spent 3 years learning composition, mixing, musical theory, harmonization. advance use of ableton ... for 3 years I didn't go out (it's no joke I had to do 5 evenings with friends) I watched tutorials on you tub every day, I I bought a lot of music books ... then after that I played my first concert in 2018 thanks to an association of the region which is called "Lunarmouth" it is the only association which shows to the general public the psychedelic culture at home. (today I am the president) then everything went very very quickly for my project, I released my first album "enygma" independently a few weeks after this 1st date. after that I got 41 concerts in my 1st year of activity in 2018/2019. I had the pleasure of playing all over France. I also produced 28 music during this period which gave me constant visibility on the net. In 2019 I officially joined the Hadra records label. Hadra obviously offers me great visibility throughout France but also enormous support for my professionalization and allows me today to make music. in February 2020 I published my new EP on Zenon records which is a great joy for me because it is one of the best world label in my eyes. Today I am fortunate to live in France and benefit from a special status unique to France which allows me to live on my music. I have more and more dates, programmed a few times a year in advance and the international market is beginning to open its doors to me. I continue to bring the psychedelic movement to life in my region by organizing evenings every month with my associations and the support of all its members and of course that of the best club in the city in my eyes "the front door". I give MAO lessons in my studio during the week when I am not producing and I go to play on weekends. I have a busy life and it is an immense pleasure to live that.
Nagamag:
Do you remember your first connection of love to music that was the right impact to be a music artist now?
Hypnotic Peafowl:
I remember my 1st party it was Timegate in Switzerland for New Year it is a huge Psytrance party over several days but it was not a revelation for me. honestly the first time electronic music had a real impact on me it was in 2018 (haha yes it was not long ago) I went to an open air psytrance very far from home (10h of car) and I met Version Bizar. I first listened to his live and then I met the man afterwards. The meeting with him mixed with the Zenonesque style of his music was a revelation for me at that time. We had a very strong connection together and it made me discover so much incredible music. He played a bass music djset later that evening and I heard kinds of music that I wasn’t able to imagine before. So I would say that if I have a memory that marked me the most with music and the most changed is this Leon meeting, he became a real source of inspiration for me and will remain so.
Nagamag:
What is your vision of electronic music ?
Hypnotic Peafowl:
For me music is a language that you have to learn in order to master it and develop it. I think that electronic music responds to the same code as acoustic music when we talk about music theory, harmonization, the placement of its instruments in the stereo field ect ect. My vision of electronic music is what allows me to explore even further the sound systems and the design of my sounds but also the impact on the live spectator, the physical experience it brings. Playing with emotions is achievable with any type of music (jazz, rap, electro ...) but playing on the physical sensations in concert and something specific to electronic music I find. We have certain constraints with our instrument certain limits impossible to exceed. Electronic music allows me to go further. But beware if I have a Rhode, a piano or any other instrument I don't see the point of replacing it for an electronic version. I imagine that like two completely complementary world one will never replace the other but they complement each other perfectly well if the artist makes sense in the use of electronic music.
Nagamag:
What was most important to you in your career and what do you recommend?
Hypnotic Peafowl:
I would say that having a supportive environment is very important. having the presence of mind to analyze our friends and ask the question of their knowledge in the world of music is important. for example when we make listen to our music to our friends most tell you that they are good and do not dare to hurt you (unconsciously for the most part). you have to know create an entourage of people who will hustle you when your productions are not at the top. Its very important.
Have someone who accompanies you on a daily basis and who understands the issues. for my part it is my companion who supports me from the beginning (morally and financially)
knowing my shortcomings and developing personal techniques to stimulate well-being was of great help to me. Meditation for example.
And finally i would say that good management of your project is essential from the start. In our hyper connected era it is important to pay attention to one's artistic image and not to mix private and professional life.
Nagamag:
Most artists have a favorite song from a different music genre than the one they are producing music for... Which is yours?
Hypnotic Peafowl:
Aukai "La Joya"
Nagamag:
Of Course Nagamag would love to listen also which track from a similar artist you admire?
Hypnotic Peafowl:
5am Trio Transmission 1 - Supa > Concentrated