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Interview: 22 22
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What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?
It was because of a simple guitar from a cousin. Once he forgot it in my room and I started to play as I could without any knowledge, and it became a real addiction.
I really don’t know what would have happened if music didn’t cross my way. My 1st thought would be sports! I was full of energy when I was younger, and I was playing basketball and tennis at a regional level.
What do you like to do when you’re not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?
I like to go outside, watch old movies and read. It’s like food for my inspiration. – The Alchemist by Paolo Cuelho is a good example. In terms of influence, I really like to work on my music with TV on playing a manga on silent mode for instance.
How long has your band been around?
I have about 20 years’ experience in the music circus: from my beginnings as a hip-hop singer to the pop-electro music producer I am today. Since 2000, I produced beats for many hip-hop artists and crew. In parallel, I tried to develop my style through sound design and jingles creation for radio stations such as the On Air TV-Radio. I have also worked with different groups and labels based in Paris, Stockholm, Atlanta and New York.
Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?
I’m based in Paris (France) as such the history of French Touch with the likes of Daft Punk, Breakbot, Parisian Soul or Justice … is a real influence to my own music.
How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you.
On one hand, I have been reading about mysticism (The Alchemist, sufi, etc.) and I have been always attracted by signs related to it, on the other I have always felt concerned with the different debates across our society be they climate change, racism, women harassment.
At some stage, I came across the 22 22 legend and I decided to go for it in order to make funk-pop, engaged music.
22 22 is known as the angel number meaning peace and harmony supporting humanity when the universe is testing our ability to respond to challenges. 22 22 believes in the Forces of the Universe sending us signs to accomplish something bigger than us!
Tell me about the best and worst shows you have played.
The worst was to play in front of 3 drunk persons moving but not according to the rhythm of my music.
The best was to watch 1500 persons dancing & applauding your work in a mythic place (Casino de Paris)
Tell me about your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you haven't already?
My favorite venue would be to play in a cosy and mythic place – Olympia (Paris) – and watch 2000 persons feeling and dancing my piece of work.
If you could play any show with any lineup who would be on the ticket?
It could be amazing to be on the ticket with Daft Punk.
What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band?
Do it because you love it!
Think about what your music can bring to people not what people can bring to you …
If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be?
Feel more confident, because you let yourself be heard
Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?
I think the song 22 22 is a good explication of the concept of angel number 22 22 because it explains how the concept of Angel number 22 22 came to me. This track is coming soon!
Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?
22 22, Change It Up & Gimme Love tonight are my favorite songs to play. The bassline of Gimme Love tonight is the most catchy according to me.
What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?
It’s always a mystic adventure to get the phone number of your inspiration.
I always record on my phone any idea that comes to me at any time, in the subway, at night, in a café, etc.
For instance, it could be the sound of the high heels of a lady walking that could lead to a special rhythm.
When I go to my studio, I try to translate all my notes and recordings in a melody sometimes successfully and sometimes not.
What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?
For me or 22 22, music must take its share of commitment and serve as a speaker against problems that concern humanity as a whole such as climate change, racism, women harrassment, etc.
In this first video clip, “The Mood”, with energetic Electro-Funk music and a Pop-Culture wink, 22 22 focuses on the situation of women victims of domestic violence. Are the listening number 3919 and the various emergency numbers the correct answers? 22 22 wonders. This clip is meant to "stir us in our armchairs" and to launch an SOS given the situation. Would the right answer be to hope for the Hollywood arrival of a group of super female heroes and beyond to apply the law of retaliation so that fear changes sides?
What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that's coming up?
My only plan is to develop an audience for this project. I tried to focus on that point & to get help from anywhere ….
Here’s the link of my first single with the video clip: