By: Kaylyn Bell
Q) How do you tend to describe the music you make as a band?
A) An alternative pop with indie-rock and post-punk accents of the 2000s in which guitars are queen and where the songs are cut for live performance.
Q) Your music evokes a very nostalgic feeling. What were some of the musical influences behind your sound?
A) This nostalgia may come from the fact that our sound is inspired by the indie-rock movement of the 2000s, by groups such as: Franz Ferdinand, Phœnix, The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, Vampire Weekend, Bloc Party, Arcade Fire…
Q) Livin’ Around the Sun has twelve tracks, each of which you described as reflecting a unique day in orbit on this planet. Where does this album concept come from, and why did you choose this composition to express your message?
A) The Earth takes three hundred and sixty-five days to revolve around the sun. There are twelve months in the year and incidentally twelve songs in this album. [smiles]
More seriously – for the universal side, a message of irrefutable simplicity with which we can all identify. Afternoon In The Park, it is also in reference to this planet that is this “park” in which we spend all our afternoons. [smiles]
And how much we love this park, so let’s take care!
Q) This album tells a story through its poetic lyricism. Is there a particular song on this album that is the most significant for your group, and what is the story behind it?
A) Each song has its own identity. Personally, I think that “Destination” is the song on the album that comes out the most to my taste, in the sense that it is a “protest song” of the current times and that its musical identity really anchors the artistic universe of the group and also shows that we are concerned and engaged by broader subjects than the simple setbacks of romantic relationships.
Q) What is your songwriting process? Is there a need for music before we can start working on the lyrics?
A) The writing process almost always begins with a guitar/voice from Yamin [Alma].
A turn of chords that calls for a melody then once this architecture is roughly drawn, we refine the transitions and arrangements together.
Q) You worked with producer Gordon Raphael on this album. What was his initial response to the demos, and what did it mean to have him on board for this project?
A) Yamin did all the demos of Livin´ Around The Sun alone at home.
On a whim he sent them by message on the Instagram application to Gordon Raphaël who quickly replied that he liked the songs very much and that he wanted to collaborate on the project.
It is a great honor to have been able to work with Gordon who is an exceptional musician-producer and a pillar of the sound of indie rock of the 2000s, including flagship groups such as The Strokes or The Libertines.
And, secretly for us, it was like the confirmation of having found an identity that is relevant and very real to the ears of the greatest in this style of music.
Q) The beautiful cover of the album was created by Yamin himself. How do you think this art reflects the theme of the album?
A) Dreamy colors like a daydream, four little musicians under a great sun.
It quite simply schematizes the vision of this Livin’ Around The Sun.
Q) What might people not know about making this album that you would like them to know?
A) We did everything independently, with quality always as a benchmark, without ever being discouraged. It wasn’t always easy; it took us a long time before we could get it out.
But we are proud of it, and we hope that it will be appreciated and shared by all those who will discover it or listen to it again! [smiles]
Q) What do you hope your audience will remove from this album – whether it’s an emotion or a message?
A) We hope that our audience listens to the songs saying, “We’re going to have a good time,” that the joy is there because it’s a dancing and fun album above all, that young people say to themselves, “Wow, it’s so cool the sound of electric guitars!”
We also hope to see as many people as possible at the concerts because that’s where we express ourselves best and if the public already knows the songs, that’s where the magic works!
Q) Are there any live shows coming up for Afternoon in the Park this summer?
A) We will play in France, at the Pelliculive Festival on September 04, 2025!
Q) Who are the artists you are currently listening to?
A) Right now, I’m listening to a lot of classical and post-punk New York music. [smiles]
Q) What would you like to say to all those who are fans and supporters of you and your work?
A) We hope that you know the songs to sing with us at concerts and that we live anthology moments all together!
All Questions Answered by Yamin Alma -Singer/Songwriter/Multi-instrumentalist