EXCLUSIVE: 5 MINUTES WITH MONTREAL’S LE COULEUR

‘P.o.p.’ (which stands for Pacific Ocean Park) is the new album from Montreal-based disco synth pop band LE COULEUR released on 28th October via Lisbon Lux Records, produced by the band’s very own Steven Chouinard and mixed by Eric Broucek (DFA record, The Drums, Neon Indian). Championed by the likes of Noisey, Les Inrocks, Brooklyn Vegan, The Line of Best Fit amongst others, LE COULEUR skillfully blends French lyrics and fashionably minimialist Canadian samplings to create love-themed songs. Inspired by tasteful vintage disco the band draw clear influences from the likes of electro-dance greats such as Metronomy, Sébastien Tellier, Stereolab, Todd Terje and LCD Soundsystem amongst others.

With two EPs now under their sequined belts, the avant-garde electro outfit are fast turning into one of those bands making fun songs that people want to share with their friends at parties. So with all this PR swooning circulating around the French speaking trio after their award-winning EP Dolce Désir… We decided we’d like to get to know them a little better. Here we discuss their most recent labour of love, as well a mutual amorousness for Liverpool, Serge Gainsbourg and their collective obsession for vintage synths:

Hi there, how are you and what are you up to today?

Le Couleur: Hey!

We’re good! Yesterday was Patrick’s birthday so we’re recovering a little right now

To those not familiar with you, how would you describe your sound?

It’s a mix of dance-house-pop-disco and 60’s-70’s movies music composer.

You should like us if you listen to:
Serge Gainsbourg (Fr), Mylene Farmer (Fr), LCD Soundsystem (US), Sade (UK), Sebastien Tellier (Fr)

What are the 5 albums that have influenced you the most?

-Sébastien Tellier – Sexuality
-The whole Beatles discography
-Paul McCartney – Paul McCartney II
-Stereolab – Dots and Loops
-Jim O’Rourke – Eureka

Which other artists are you into at the moment and why?

-Metronomy : Always and ever! They have such a great sense of pop music.
-Paradis : A mix of “”chanson française”” and electronic-house music. Sexy, sensual and dancy! The best ingredients
-Darius : Tasty as f****! We call that the new touch. He’s French, obviously! 😉

Are there any key pieces of equipment that you are using to define your sound?

Vintage synths for sure! We actually have a pretty nice collection.

The UK music scene is certainly always changing. Some might say that at the moment it’s more electronic oriented. Do you think this makes it more difficult for indie/alternative acts to get recognition that it would have done ten years ago?

Don’t be discouraged by the numbers and the stats. This could be the best argument to stop doing anything.
Just do your shit and keep working without worrying of the rest. Good bands, good music will be always recognized.

Where do you gather song writing inspiration?

In our studio. We’re not those kind of people that need to travel or to be alone in the middle of nowhere to composed or write songs.
Give us some machines and we’re happy!

Take us through your songwriting process. Are there any particular steps you take when put music together?

We often starts with a drum beat and a good bassline. We work very hard to find out the best bassline. It’s the core of the process. Afterward, we also try to find the best and tasty chords that fit on. Most of the time, the melody as well as the lyrics are added at the end.

However, it happens often that we sit down on the piano and we just play a chain of good chords on a melody. It doesn’t mean that the song will finish like this but it’s a good and important way to composed for us. There’s nothing better than a piano.

What’s the best gig you have ever done and why?

There’s quite a few, but each time we’re going back to Quebec city since last year is a blast. Very welcoming people, big crowd, good conditions.

Otherwise, when we played 3 times in Liverpool in 2014. The city of the Beatles!!!! The people were quite intrigued about a disco-electro-pop band from Canada, specially singing in french. A very good reception we have to say.

And the worst?

It was several years ago, when the band was starting. We played at this bar that we don’t really appreciate and it was for a compilation launch party. We played late, there was only few people left and a thug took Patrick’s beer, drank it and threw it down on his pedalboard.
And of course, we were not paid!

If you weren’t a musician what would you be?

Laurence : surgeon
Steeven : ? It’s never been another option
Patrick : Ranger!!!!

Do you have any particular gigs or festivals that you dream about playing?

Not really but just playing a little everywhere in the world (like we do right now, but even more!) is so fun and rewarding. We don’t aspire to be the next huge superstar band (most of them suck anyways!) but we just want to make people dance and get paid enough to pay the rent and buy a bit more synths!

If you could perform alongside any other band or artist, who would it be?

Sharing the stage with some bands from DFA records (LCD, Juan Maclean, Holy Ghost) would be so cool. The perfect line up for us!

Do you have any information regarding upcoming releases, projects or gigs in the pipeline that you would like to tell us about?

The upcoming LP – P.O.P – will be available on October the 28th and 2 concerts will be announced this week as album launch party. A Europe tour will be unveiled later this year.

We are also rehearsing for the next tour and that will be very fun. We can’t wait to hit the road and play in front of new crowds!” With their 2 EPs, Montreal electro disco outfit Le Couleur is already becoming one of those bands making music people feel the need to share with their friends. The Line Of Best Fit, Brooklyn Vegan, Noisey France, Les inrocks and Konbini, those are just a few of the medias who have been swoon by the French speaking trio. After their award-winning EP Dolce Désir, Le Couleur continues its world-conquering odyssey with P.O.P. (which stands for Pacific Ocean Park), a first full length slated for October 28 2016.

Le Couleur – P.o.P

P.O.P album is now available to order HERE.