Echoberyl interview: ‘We Get Bored Doing The Same Things Over And Over Again’
Echoberyl is an innovative French music band that has been captivating audiences with their unique sound and thought-provoking lyrics. Mixing elements of Cold-Wave, Pop, and Indie Rock, Echoberyl crafts an atmospheric experience that resonates deeply with listeners. Their latest album, “Through The Chaos,” released by Icy Cold Records and Mother Solitude Records, marks an exciting evolution in their artistic journey. This album embodies a bold, uncompromising vision, skillfully blending retro influences with deeply personal themes. I asked a few questions to both members, Cecilia Dassonneville and Adriano Iacoangeli. (Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)
Q: Echoberyl has been active for a long time and has released four albums to date. Reflecting back, how did Echoberyl come into existence, and what were some of the key influences that shaped your music?
Adriano & Cecilia: We met at the end of 2018 and started recording some songs. We sent a demo to five labels, three responded positively and we signed our first contract with one of them.
As for our influences, they are varied. Adriano has a classical background but has always loved New Order and Depeche Mode. Cecilia loves melancholy French songs from the 60s. Beyond music, we’re also inspired by cinema, such as 1960s and 1970s B-movies, the filmography of David Lynch, as well as the films of Michel Ocelot and Yann Gonzalez, and literature -particularly classical tales, mythology, and drama.
Q: “Through The Chaos” marks your fourth album. Looking back over the years, how has Echoberyl evolved through each album? In what ways does this new release stand apart from your previous work?
Adriano & Cecilia: We started out more Post-Punk oriented, or at least with a lot of electric guitars and basses. Then little by little we moved towards increasingly electronic sounds. We always try to renew ourselves, because we get bored doing the same things over and over again. After the surprising success of tracks like “Salomé” or “Medea’s Revenge”, characterized by very specific and rather dance sounds, in this latest album we have dared more atmospheric songs. It’s also the first time we’re releasing vinyl records, along with CDs, thanks to Icy Cold Records.
Q: Let’s dive into “Through The Chaos.” Can you tell us about the themes and ideas behind this album? What did you aim to achieve musically and lyrically, and were there any notable influences or focal points during its composition and production?
Cecilia: Since our second LP, I’ve aimed to write concept albums. “The Awakening Of A Mutant Girl” is a B-movie without images, with each song serving as a chapter of this story. “Mother Solitude and “Other Dark Tales” is a collection of classic characters and stories, mostly inspired by Literature. “Through The Chaos” explores the concept of parallel worlds and draws inspiration from the 60s series “Twilight Zone”. Through fiction, I aim to be very personal -even more for this particular album. I delved into very intimate emotions, hoping our listeners might see themselves reflected in the songs. I enjoy expressing myself through metaphors and symbols. Musically, we also made a conscious effort to renew ourselves.
Q: Could you describe each member’s role in the entire creative process, from composing and recording to mixing and mastering? How would you define the sound of Echoberyl?
Adriano & Cecilia: Very simple. Adriano writes the music, Cecilia the lyrics. Then together we record and mix the final version. Adriano does the mastering.
Our sound? Honestly, we don’t know… We believe it’s up to fans to define what our music evokes for them.
Q: You’re based in Paris, a city rich in culture but not as renowned in the music scene as places like Berlin or London. Do you have any thoughts on why this might be, and how would you describe your experience within the Parisian music scene? Are there particular venues or festivals where you’d love to perform?
Adriano : It’s true, there isn’t much to do in France and Paris for us. That’s why we sell mainly in the USA, Germany, and the UK… Even for concerts, same thing. We’ve almost always played abroad and very little in France. The reason? France is much more interested in Rap and Pop than in alternative genres of music.
Cecilia: We’re struggling to gain more recognition in France, but it’s not easy. I think many French bands from the dark scene share this same feeling. I don’t have specific festivals or venues in mind, but I would love the chance to work with Rebeka Warrior.
Q: Looking ahead, what would you like to achieve in the future? And if you could go back in time, is there a particular artist or band you’d love to have been a part of?
Adriano: We hope to continue to grow in number of listeners and sales, obviously. We live off music, it’s our job, so, like everyone else, we’d like to achieve good economic security.
What band from the past? Korn in the 90s.
Cecilia: I simply want to keep creating, working on exciting projects, and collaborating with talented artists. I would have loved to work with Hante., to have been one of the melancholy pop singers of the 60s, or (I know it’s not music) to have been a B-movie actress like Barbara Steele.
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