Life is strange. Our existence even more so. Those who don’t sit and think about why and how we’re here are denying that. People like Fred Blue do. Believing we live in some sort of computer simulation, the electronic artist comes with a perspective that isn’t too uncommon. It also is the inspiration behind his sound as he mixes fantasy with reality to convey adventures on his latest release, Travel. We talked about the album, the electronic scene and much more.
Kendra: The last two albums have been able to be summed up with one-word titles; Victory, Travel. Will your 2018 release follow suit?
Fred Blue: Yes, I am working on a new album for 2018 which will be in the same state of mind as the 2 previous ones. One-word titles to express several ideas, sensations, emotions, states of mind … let his imagination roam while listening to my sounds. It will not be a trilogy. The title of my next album is not yet chosen but I already have a little idea that is becoming more and more precise as my new compositions progress.
Kendra: Your latest, Travel, was that inspired by a sense of wanderlust or trips you’ve yet to take but hope to get to in the near future?
Fred Blue: The space with the black holes and the seabed with the abyss fascinate me. With Travel I wanted to project a feeling of a journey lived in these imaginary worlds.
Travel is inspired by a journey mixing imaginary and reality, a transposition of a sensation experienced before, during and after a journey. Electronic music makes these representations possible. By listening to the album Travel each listener can make his own projection in his imagination in relation to his experiences of travel experiences. Travel is an imaginary journey to an exoplanet. So I chose this title to summarize all the songs on the album.
Kendra: You’ve noted that you’re looking for singers to finish up some tracks on the upcoming album. What do you look for when pairing voices with your tracks?
Fred Blue: When I associate voices to my tracks, I don’t look for specific types of voices. Before associating voices with my tracks, I search and select samples of dialogues in video databases, extracts of films, broadcasts, documentaries, testimonies … which correspond to the sounds and the rhythm of my tracks and to the story I want to tell.
I am looking for a singer or a funk singer and hip hop but I am open to all types of voices and trends.
Kendra: With music being a neverending landscape for change, how do you feel electronic music, in particular, has shifted from when you released your debut in 2016 to now?
Fred Blue: I have not seen any changes since 2016. Electronic music is gaining more and more place in the music industry. Electonic music’s no longer compartmentalized on specific musical genres for a long time. Many tracks of electronic music are inspired by classical music. It is therefore natural that it be more and more associated with other instruments such as symphony orchestras or with rock punk bands for example.There is no border and it is very exciting!
Kendra: Do you stay up with current trends in music, or just focus on doing what sounds good to you?
Fred Blue: I am listening to everything that happens and I am very open musically. I am not necessarily the current trend. I focus on what seems consistent with what I like to listen to and share.
Kendra: Other than new music, do you have anything else going on in 2018?
Fred Blue: I have the plan to make another trip to Asia. Continue to discover this continent and meet new people and cultures. But also and above all to enjoy my family, do more activities together and share them.
