Click Interview with Police Des Moeurs: ‘You Have To Let The Music Show You Where To Go’
Police Des Mœurs
Police Des Mœurs is a Canadian band known for its Electro-Wave and Minimal-Electro music. Formed in the early 2010s, they have released several notable works. The current line-up features core member Francis Dugas and Manuelle Gauthier. Their latest album, “Commencement,” is an outstanding piece of music that creates an imaginative sonic bridge between classic 80s elements and a more personal touch, highlighted by French female vocals. (Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)
Q: First things first; tell us a bit more about the way your duo saw the daylight and what was the initial plan referring to music, sound and inspiration?
FD: Well, it did not start as a duo with Manuelle. Police Des Moeurs released records and played shows before she joined in 2016 (?). Then I met her, and we were lovers for a few years before she joined. When she joined, we were first a trio, and now we are a duo. So it’s quite a complex evolution. I would say at first, I really wanted to have that typical minimal synth sound, but as I am into so many different styles on music, I soon wanted to take it further and incorporate other influences such as Punk, Techno or Psychedelic. When Manu came in, it was an opportunity to continue to expand the sound by using her input into composing and producing.
MG: I refused a few times to join the band because at first, I didn’t really like the idea of being the ‘leader’s girlfriend’ (I don’t like opportunism, and I told myself that if I wanted to make music, I had to take my own initiatives). Also, being rather introverted, I was afraid to play live. Finally, I accepted and everything went well. Then, it was impossible for me to just play someone else’s tracks, so I started composing. In conclusion, I am very grateful to Francis because his invitation allowed me to do one of the things I love most, with my favorite person: him. If I had known, I would have started much sooner.
Q: You previously released four albums on Mannequin Records so how does the new opus “Commencement” differ from your previous works in terms of composition & production and lyrical themes?
FD: I don’t really see a rupture, just an evolution. In some ways, each record is a step away from the previous one. Having Manu take more place just accentuate this impression. Even though she has been involved in the last 3 LPs, this is probably the one with the most input from her.
MG: For me, “Commencement” is a logical continuation of “Péril”, because it was composed in the same breath, the same movement and therefore, very quickly after “Péril”, even if we took a little longer to release it, because of the attention we paid to the mix.
Q: What inspired you in the writing of “Commencement” and can you tell us a bit more about the global production process of the album? Who’s responsible for what in the entire process?
FD: It depends on the song. Some songs were done entirely by Manuelle, and some were mostly produced by me. Manu did all the vocals, lyrics, and record cover and almost all the mixing. As for me specifically, I just start from scratch, try to build loops that makes sense and continue to build them into a coherent whole. I don’t have precise inspiration or goal when I start a song. And if I do, it usually change during the process, as the song leads me elsewhere. So you have to let the music show you where to go and not be too rigid about what you’re trying to achieve.
MG: As Francis states, each one initiated certain tracks. In addition to the lyrics and the vocals (that I record myself, in our basement), I added melodic elements and arrangements on all songs. Otherwise I’m always impatient to hear Francis’ proposals because they always contain an element that quickly inspires me a melody, a narrative, or a global mood (arrangements). At that moment, I listen his proposition in a loop, as if to enter a trance and find the contribution that could honor his work. For example, “Reprendre”, “Soif” and “Fatigue” immediately inspired me to create complementary melodies (and from this moment, I am very excited to get to work).
Q: What have been the main challenges and eventually difficulties you faced while composing this album? And what are the main points of satisfaction?
FD: I’m under the impression it took us ages to finish it, I don’t know why. It was quite hard to do. So there was some frustration with that, I guess. It’s also not always clear who does what on some song, so we have to draw a line, which ain’t always easy. On the other hand, the result is interesting and surprising. It’s a bit too diverse and unfocused, maybe, but on the other hand, ironically, it’s probably what I like the most about the record.
MG : I mixed the whole album (after Francis made a first mix on his own parts), which for me was laborious, since I’m self-taught and we weren’t very well equipped (I worked without a sub monitor, which I wouldn’t do again). It’s easy for me to get obsessed with details (which sometimes annoys Francis, he he), and I don’t always have the technical knowledge to achieve the ideal I aspire to, so the mixing stage can get painful at times.
The satisfying point is that I learned a lot by trying to mix this album and at the end, I’m pretty happy with the result (except for a detail or two but it’s good for a first job).
Q: You sound has this retro-like feeling getting me back to the 80s. What does this era and the 80s music mean to you and how do you transpose these -and other influences, into your work?
FD: I’m a kid of the 80’s, so sure, there is some retro aspect, but it is also a part of who I am in the present. It feels natural. It wasn’t a conscious choice to go ‘retro’, it just what came easily. That said, we really want to push this further. We don’t want to be prisoners of a sound that was popular decades ago. I’m definitely not a purist on that aspect and Manu ain’t either. You have to play the music that is living inside of you, whatever that is. It needs to be incarnated and seems vital and obvious to you. It’s the same, whether your music sounds like 40’s big band Jazz or ultra-Avant-Garde forward thinking Electronic music. It has to come from the heart.
MG: Strangely, I don’t really perceive it as an 80’s sounding album (Am I in denial? Ha ha). One thing is certain, it’s absolutely not intentional. Personally, I choose synth patches according to their frequency or emotional evocation: so that the sounds best serve the track or best match the other elements or frequencies contained in the track. Just like Francis, I listen to many styles, from several decades. Very current stuff too. I’m not nostalgic for a musical era and I don’t idealize an era either.
Q: Do you have any plans for live shows and eventually a tour to promote “Commencement” and especially in Europe? And what else can we expect from Police Des Moeurs?
FD: We don’t play live at all these days. We haven’t played since fall 2019. I guess one day, we’ll go back on stage. So to answer your question, nothing is scheduled right now, even though we have offers once in a while, so who knows.
Recording wise, we are planning some sort of special project, but I can’t tell you more about it for now.
MG: We’ve received several offers since the pandemic (in America and Europe) but we’ve turned them all down for the moment, because we were running out of time and weren’t ready to go back on stage. Promotion is not something we really invest in. We have neither the time or the interest to ‘sell’ ourselves. But we are very touched when fans or ‘cultural agents’ approach us to talk about our work or to share about it. We are very honored that our music travels to many continents (and this, despite the fact that our lyrics are in French).
About present and future; we’re currently working on an EP that will be released on a Punk label.
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