French musician Indolore is an interesting proposition – he recently had the opportunity to travel to Tennessee to indulge his love for country music, taking great inspiration for his own work. After listening to his amazing EP Nashville, I just knew I had to find out more. See how we go on below…

By Jane Howkins

Here are my answers:

We recently reviewed your EP Nashville. What can you tell us about the EP?

This new EP is very special for me. It’s the fruit of an inspiration, an adventure, almost a calling. I wrote the song Nashville (which is also the title of the EP) the day I arrived in Nashville, right under the porch of the house where I stayed during the recording sessions. It only took me few minutes to write it. I felt like I belonged there.

How has the reception to the EP been so far, and where can it be purchased?

The first feedback has been quite incredible. Rolling Stone magazine, for example, selected the EP Nashville as one of the best releases of the early summer! What reassured me was that country fans also really liked these songs, and I took that as a great compliment, asit’s the best validation of all.

The EP is available on all streaming platforms and you can find it here: ffm.to/indolore-…hville

Do you plan to release any singles from Nashville in the near future?

Yes, I’ve received a lot of enthusiastic messages about the track We have a song. It’s sure to be the next single from the EP.

Are there any plans to release a full-length album anytime soon?

My next project will be a tribute to my home city of over twenty years, Paris. It will be released by the end of this year in the form of an EP, simply entitled Paris. As with Nashville, I recorded it with a group of great musicians, all French this time, live, all in the same room. I’m very happy with the result and you’re the first media outlet I’ve told about it. I can’t wait for you to hear it!

What is the writing and recording process like for you?

On the subject of writing, it’s a question of necessity. I need to express myself this way. My songs are very often about my personal life, in a disguised, sometimes poetic way. The facts are hidden, the emotions are real. When it comes to recording, I often work with my lifelong friend and talented musician and sound engineer, Antoine Delecroix. We have a great rapport and friendship. Sometimes I’m unfaithful to him by going off on adventures, like to Iceland in 2017 (where I created my Love Letters from Eylenda EP) and, of course, Nashville last May. I also need this kind of personal challenge to grow as a person and musically.

You travelled all the way to Tennessee from Paris. What prompted the trip? Are you still living in Tennessee?

A year ago I came across a film I loved, Crazy Heart, which gave me the irrepressible urge to dive into country music, in my own way. In that film, Jeff Bridges plays a worn-out country singer on tour. And he’s fantastic in it. I wanted to be him! So I took the plunge, and there couldn’t be a better place on the planet to do it than Nashville. I stayed there for ten days to soak up the city, record with some fantastic musicians (Jack Lawrence, Sean Thompson, Dave Racine) at the Bomb Shelter studio in East Nashville, and sing live at City Winery. I lived the ‘Music City’ experience to the full!

Your music has an Americana/country sound. Who/what would you say are your main influences?

It’s always hard to drop names, but the ones that immediately come to mind are Iron & Wine, Townes Van Zandt, and of course Jeff Bridges.

Do you have anything else exciting lined up this year?

As I mentioned earlier, I can’t wait to present my next record, Paris, which will bring together all my influences, for the first time I think.

Do you have any tour dates lined up for the UK?

I’m super happy to announce that I’ll be back on stage in London on October 9th. And not just any occasion, as I’ll have the honor of opening for the incredible Terry Reid at the legendary Half Moon. A few tickets are still available at tickets.halfmoon…putney 

Hurry up, it’s going to be a crazy night!

Any last words for the fans?

My music recently topped 3 million streams on Spotify. I never imagined that possible when I started out alone in front of a microphone with my rather intimate songs. I extend my heartfelt thanks to all those who have come to enjoy my music and tell them that the best is yet to come, for all of us!