The times earlier than the discharge of his new album “Tabacco” in the beginning of July, the 32-year-old Viennese was very tense, as he says, and troublesome for these round him to bear. The modifications in songwriting, within the band and in the end in his fashion have elevated the stress to not “screw up”. Julian now has the understanding that every part is true.
The place did the impetus for change come from?
Julian le Play: The urge for one thing to all the time be totally different, as a result of in any other case I’d be bored, won’t ever cease. Two years in the past, quite a lot of issues got here collectively that brought on me to really feel uninteresting.
Did this have something to do with Corona?
Julian le Play: On the one hand, sure. I am an individual who likes to journey and never spend a lot time at residence. All of the sudden that was not potential. Then once more, following ten years of creating music, I felt like I used to be repeating myself. Looking back, I used to be in peril of rising up. I felt too resilient. I needed to regulate every part following which I noticed that it wasn’t good for me.
How was this expressed?
Julian le Play: I felt like I used to be a bit petrified. I had no actual entry to my feelings, I even turned a bit cussed. After which I used to be in Mexico in 2022 and ended up in a dropout resort. I solely booked it as a result of I believed I would really like the vibe. Then there have been presents like “discover your inside function” or “ecstatic dancing”, which I believed was humorous – till I actually, as a result of it rained for ten days, sat in programs with individuals who have been all looking. That is once I realized that there aren’t that many causes to fret regarding falling right into a heaviness.
What occurred following the return?
Julian le Play: We have been lastly in a position to replay the tour that we needed to postpone due to Corona, and my outdated band did not have time, so I appeared for brand new musicians left and proper of me and began to get into style. After I got here residence, I did not really feel so comfy in my outdated garments anymore and began working with a stylist, additionally acquired into David Bowie and realized that artwork would not cease with the mastering of an album, however continues. The visible facet started to curiosity me extra.
Did this additionally have an effect on the tour?
Julian le Play: We gave it 5 occasions as a lot gasoline as earlier than as a result of everybody was feeling the urge to lastly be capable of play reside once more. That was the kick-start for the yr by which “Tabacco” was created.
So the album was influenced by this expertise?
Julian le Play: After the tour, I flew with my three finest pals straight to La Gomera, the place there have been additionally loads of dropouts. That is the place the primary track “Tabacco” was written, the place I observed that I used to be turning into hooked on this way of life. One way or the other I observed that I wanted it. After which it was a really colourful summer season, the place I skilled rather a lot. This album was written that summer season.
It is in all probability no coincidence that the album begins with a really quiet track, “Schlafwandler”. What did you wish to convey to the listener with this?
Julian le Play: Perhaps that I do not cover. It is probably the most private tracks, and it is regarding love. I normally like to cover songs like that on the album, on the finish. I needed to get individuals to open up, to hear. I did not actually give it some thought that a lot.
The enjoyment of life, the fervour to really feel with all senses might be the principle theme of the album. Have you ever additionally needed to rediscover the enjoyment of your personal music?
Julian le Play: Sure, virtually not one of the songs on the album have been deliberate. I needed to expertise one thing, I used to be on the highway and put Julian le Play within the field for me, met plenty of individuals and these songs happened alongside the way in which. Concepts got here to me in all places. After I did not make an effort, concepts flew to me and I’ve additionally had very cussed phases by which I wrote songs with a objective, comparable to attaining an expectation. I used to be extremely comfortable that the songs virtually got here to me. In fact, this made me wish to write songs once more as a result of it occurred so simply. It was once rather a lot more durable.
Does it additionally must do with letting go, that immediately a lightness arises that we regularly lengthy for and immediately it’s there as a result of we’re not desperately on the lookout for it?
Julian le Play: Certain. If you don’t need one thing, it immediately comes at you from behind. That is the identical with love. What got here at me shocked me as a result of musically it was extra like issues I listened to once I was 18 or 19. It is a pop album, but it surely has people parts right here and there, it is extra rocky, and it produced songs that I would not have thought I may do earlier than. It was loads of enjoyable, together with the manufacturing. I opened a artistic home in Vienna, the “Villa Lala”, with two pals. “Tabacco” is the primary album the place this villa got here into its personal musically. In the home there are 14 studios, eleven totally different producers, songwriters, a photographer – it took on a lifetime of its personal over two years, then I got here up with my songs. From there the manufacturing occurred and the opposite characters got here alongside, leaving traces on the album. All of it occurred one following the opposite and I’ve by no means thought so little regarding what occurs followingwards. I loved working with the individuals. This has modified my total setting. Nothing is similar because it was three years in the past.
Is “Tabacco” additionally the start of a brand new decade for Julian le Play?
Julian le Play: Sure, my girlfriend mentioned that too.
Julian le Play “Tabacco” (Troubador recordings), live performance: 25 August, Posthof Linz
Creator
Reinhold Gruber
Native editor Linz
Reinhold Gruber
