Arnaud Keller – I Say Yes

By starrymag | December 13, 2023

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) It’s a pop song in English, filled with positive vibes and a genuine intention to help the world. With the team I work with, Sandrine Pereira the artistic manager, Serge Fouré the Director, video designer, writer and editor of the video clip; and Panchogyps the music producer, we wanted to mix pure, timeless and relaxing sounds accompanied by my favorite instrument: the piano.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) For songs in English, my main musical influences are the artists Elton John, Lewis Capaldi, Dua Lipa and Ed Sheeran. For French songs, I’m influenced by the artists Vianney, Kyo and Michel Berger.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “I Say Yes.”

 

A) The story of this song is really atypical. It sounds like a romance or an impossible love story. In reality, the source of inspiration comes from a strange phenomenon that could be qualified as “supernatural.” This song is directly linked to an astonishing event experienced by my best friend Sandrine Pereira, known as “Angèl Médium,” in France. I witnessed this surprising scene, and it inspired me to create the song “I Say Yes.”

 

Q) The song is so upbeat and catchy. What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) I would say more that fans connect to an impossible love relationship through this song. It also evokes a sense of freedom and deep well-being. I can give you some details about the feedback from my fans – they tell me that this song makes them feel good, that they love this track and that it brings them back to emotions from the past about events they’ve lived through: joy, sadness, sentimentality and grief etc…Some fans tell me they listen to it over and over again.

 

Q) “I Say Yes” is one of your songs in English. What made you decide that was the perfect language for the song rather than your native French?

 

A) I love the English language, even though I tend to pronounce it with a French accent. English poetry in song inspires me a lot and goes perfectly with captivating piano melodies. Moreover, I’m often physically compared to the Anglo-Saxon countries and the United States. Some of my international fans often compare me to the artist Elton John and in France to the artist Vianney.

 

Q) I love the video shows such beautiful views of the beach. How does that play into the message behind “I Say Yes?”

 

A) The video clip, directed, designed, written, and edited by Serge Fouré, highlights the song’s sense of freedom and escape. The landscapes reflect the sensational and emotional journey the song takes us on.

 

 

Q) What is your songwriting process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) It depends on the moment. Sometimes I first create a melody on the piano and then words come along to complete it. Sometimes the creative process is reversed. And sometimes the melody and the lyrics come to me at the same time. On some songs, I work with Serge Fouré, whose artistic name is Seroan: singer and songwriter, where he produces either lyrics or melodies for new songs in French and/or English.

 

Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) We work as a team, and we all have a say in the making of the song and music video. We encourage positive communication to achieve a result that we can all enjoy.

 

Q) Will there be a full album or EP coming in the near future?

 

A) Yes, I’m in the process of creating my very first musical album, which includes the song “I Say Yes.”

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

 

A) I loved playing in Cannes’ prestigious hotels and at the Palais des Festivals. It was an unforgettable stage filled with emotion, passion and musical escapades. I’m also sometimes asked to do private concerts and radio interviews. At the moment, the team and I are planning a tour for 2024 and some TV programming.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) One day I’d love to work with artists like Vianney, Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, Louane and Lewis Capaldi. They’re references in their fields, and I love their musical worlds.

 

Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?

 

A) At the moment, I love to listen to Seroan’s next song “Let Me Cry” in English. Working with him, I was lucky enough to listen to it in the recording studio before its official release. It will be released in January 2024 and, in my opinion, it’s a real musical masterpiece. It reminds me of the musical colors of old songs by bands like U2 or the Beatles.

 

Q) You started your own record label – AK Music. What advice would you give to up-and-coming artists? You are a gifted pianist. What is it about this instrument that continues to captivate you?

 

 

A) I’d advise them to have fun and live this moment to the fullest because of their passion. The piano is an instrument full of emotion. I’m drawn to its unique melodies, the beauty of the instrument and its ability to really relax everyone. In a way, it’s a drug that soothes and does everyone a world of good.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) A huge thank you to all of you. It gives me great pleasure. [smiles] We wouldn’t exist without them. Our fans are indispensable to our artistic life.