Breakbot (10/01/2013)
The 59th Sound recently sat down with Breakbot, following his appearance at the New Years Day event Summerdayze at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne.
Thank you for taking the time to speak to us.
My pleasure.
So how was your set at Summerdayze?
It went fine, the first day it was the not best gig I’ve had in my life. Then Field day in Sydney was amazing and then Summerdayze in Melbourne went fine as well, it was really cool. I really enjoyed it and people seemed to really enjoy it too, so I’m happy.
Are the crowds in Australia different from the ones your used back home? (France)
Yeah, it’s a bit different; they’re a bit more reckless. They like to be a little bit crazier I guess.
And what do you mean by crazier?
Well you know, sometimes I like to take pictures of people at the end of the show and they all like to make crazy faces and make crazy stuff, just to say "We were there, we enjoyed the show" and I like that atmosphere. In France, it’s a bit more modern, shy and reserved, while over here they like to show that they’re happy.
And is your first time to Australia?
Um no, this is actually my fifth time in Australia.
And what do you think of your current trip so far?
I love it. It’s always a great pleasure to come here, the weather is amazing, the people are really friendly and there are so many things to do. I like to go swim and see stuff, so I really enjoy Australia.
Now getting into your single ‘Baby I’m Yours’, what made you go with the artistic direction of the music clip?
It was a discussion with my ex-girlfriend Irina, who directed the video. She pretty much did her own version of the video, but I gave some input into it as well. But, we had many references like it went from The Beatles to Cities In The Skies With Diamonds. We just wanted to make something really fun from the cold, computerized imagery you can see these days. We just wanted to make something different and we already saw it and I think we managed to do it.
I’ve noticed that the artistic style was similar to Justice’s music clip of ‘Dance’ and Uffie’s ‘ADD SUV’, has that style become a sort of tradition for Ed Banger artists to follow?
Well, I’d have to disagree with you; I don’t think it’s the same style as ‘Dance’. ‘Dance’ was made of very sharp computer-animated shots and I really love the way it’s done. But I think the way Irina and I did it was really something different from that style. Probably the common point is that it’s animated but I think the styling is different.
Now Irina Dakeva directed the music clip and you continued to work with her for your next release ‘One Out of Two’, so in your own words, how would you describe her directing aligning with your music?
Well, I think she knows me really well and she knows my music pretty well, she doesn’t have to think about it too much cause it flows naturally and she has a ton of great ideas and I just enjoy working with her, it’s always been fun. Sometimes she’s not the quickest to make things but in the end the result speaks for itself and that’s what counts I guess.
‘Baby I’m yours’ went on to be nominated for the Best pop/dance/urban video and ‘Best Animation’ awards at the UK Music Video Awards; did the reception of the single exceed your initial expectations?
Yeah of course, not because of this animation, but we didn’t expect this song to be as big. When we go to the live shows, we have people who knew the lyrics by heart and it was on a few American TV shows, a few movies in France and a few commercials in France as well. So yeah, I didn’t expect to get this far with the track but I’m pretty happy with it.
So with both songs and the album itself, I’ve noticed a kind of 70s neon pop sound to it, were there any other genres that influenced the album during it’s recording?
There were a lot of bands that I love and I think they really influenced me during the recording. Like for example The Beach Boys, Michael Jackson of course, Prince, all the Motown artists like Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and stuff like that. Just like really transpiring Soul and black music in general, Hip Hop as well and I try to mix all these things into my songs.
And I noticed Michael Jackson greatly influenced your album, how were you trying to work his sound to your own work?
Well, I try not to make it too close to Michael. I tried to find my own pathway, so I tried not to make Michael Jackson songs but I found this guy called Ruckazoid, who got this amazing voice and when you think about it, you have to think of Michael. So, I guess it’s just a reference because I love his music and I wanted to make a little reference to his work. But it’s not like that in every song; it’s probably like two or three songs that are really like Michael.
When choosing the vocalists for your album, what made you go with Irfane and Ruckazoid?
Well the voice of course, I wanted make songs with men singing in high pitch and when I found them, I thought their voices were amazing so that’s why I picked them and then we became friends.
And did you record the songs to suit their vocal skills in mind or was it choosing the artist after the completion of the song?
I composed the music and then I work with the singer and he basically writes the lyrics. I think it’s important for the singer to have an input in the creation, cause then he gets more involved and he gives a better side of himself I guess.
Since the release of your first EP ‘Happy Rabbits’, how has your sound changed with ‘By Your Side’?
I think it used to be a bit more rough and a bit more distorted, now it’s more polished and clean. I think it sounds more like real pop music I guess, before it was more like experimental electro and weirdo stuff. I think I still have some experimental things in my music but not so much as my first EP, I think it sounds more like pop today.
And considering how predominant you have become since the release of your first EP, why did it take the length of time to release your LP?
Well, just because it takes a long time to make songs actually and I had many, many songs I threw away and had been too caught in the tracks and I was also doing other stuff. I was making remixes, I was touring a lot and I was working on the live show, so I didn’t feel like I was taking a vacation or anything, I was spending a lot of time doing what I do and trying the best I can.
Now French electro has grounded itself as a genre with it’s own unique sound and traits, but when compared to mainstream dance, it still relatively underground. Do you think that it will become bigger in the near future now that artists such as yourself are becoming more predominant?
I actually don’t really think about that, like about the fame. I mean I’m just happy the way things are, like I’m doing my music, I can live from it and travel around the world, like I can go to the other side of the world and spend some time at home. I’m happy with that and if I could continue with that, I would be the happiest man in the world. I don’t need to be super famous and I don’t want to be super famous, I wouldn’t like to be recognize on the street and stuff. So, the way things are now are really good.
French electro has become genre without a sudden drop of bass, instead it has a consistency that flows throughout the entire song allowing a more mellowed out feeling, in the future do you want to make your music with that same consistency or change it entirely and experiment further with different sounds?
Well, I don’t think you can do the same thing over and over, so you have to evolve and find new ways and that is what I’m trying to do right now for the second LP. Trying to find which direction I want to go, but I think it will be a bit more experimental, like these songs are more polished, simple and very clean and I want to change things and push them forward, but still have this pop feel.
In terms of your labels, your first EP was released under Moshi Moshi and then you moved to Ed Banger, how was the feeling of moving to the label ran by the legendary Busy P?
Well for me, it was fastastic because I think this family is probably the best electro family in France, so I was very happy to be with these guys. I think they’re fun and they like to throw a lot of pool parties and stuff, so it’s just been nothing but fun so far.
Now finally before we wrap things up, the one question I’ve been dying to ask is, what made you choose the name ‘Breakbot’ as your alias as an artist?
It was a nickname I got in high school, my friends called me Breakbot because in France we had this thing where we reversed names, like my first name is Thibaut and that became Bo-T and then Bot and then Breakbot, because I was listening to a lot of funk, disco, breaker and break dance music, so I guess that’s it you know.
Well thank you for speaking to The 59th Sound.
It’s my pleasure man.
Jason Cheung
Search tags - Breakbot, Summerdayze
Thank you for taking the time to speak to us.
My pleasure.
So how was your set at Summerdayze?
It went fine, the first day it was the not best gig I’ve had in my life. Then Field day in Sydney was amazing and then Summerdayze in Melbourne went fine as well, it was really cool. I really enjoyed it and people seemed to really enjoy it too, so I’m happy.
Are the crowds in Australia different from the ones your used back home? (France)
Yeah, it’s a bit different; they’re a bit more reckless. They like to be a little bit crazier I guess.
And what do you mean by crazier?
Well you know, sometimes I like to take pictures of people at the end of the show and they all like to make crazy faces and make crazy stuff, just to say "We were there, we enjoyed the show" and I like that atmosphere. In France, it’s a bit more modern, shy and reserved, while over here they like to show that they’re happy.
And is your first time to Australia?
Um no, this is actually my fifth time in Australia.
And what do you think of your current trip so far?
I love it. It’s always a great pleasure to come here, the weather is amazing, the people are really friendly and there are so many things to do. I like to go swim and see stuff, so I really enjoy Australia.
Now getting into your single ‘Baby I’m Yours’, what made you go with the artistic direction of the music clip?
It was a discussion with my ex-girlfriend Irina, who directed the video. She pretty much did her own version of the video, but I gave some input into it as well. But, we had many references like it went from The Beatles to Cities In The Skies With Diamonds. We just wanted to make something really fun from the cold, computerized imagery you can see these days. We just wanted to make something different and we already saw it and I think we managed to do it.
I’ve noticed that the artistic style was similar to Justice’s music clip of ‘Dance’ and Uffie’s ‘ADD SUV’, has that style become a sort of tradition for Ed Banger artists to follow?
Well, I’d have to disagree with you; I don’t think it’s the same style as ‘Dance’. ‘Dance’ was made of very sharp computer-animated shots and I really love the way it’s done. But I think the way Irina and I did it was really something different from that style. Probably the common point is that it’s animated but I think the styling is different.
Now Irina Dakeva directed the music clip and you continued to work with her for your next release ‘One Out of Two’, so in your own words, how would you describe her directing aligning with your music?
Well, I think she knows me really well and she knows my music pretty well, she doesn’t have to think about it too much cause it flows naturally and she has a ton of great ideas and I just enjoy working with her, it’s always been fun. Sometimes she’s not the quickest to make things but in the end the result speaks for itself and that’s what counts I guess.
‘Baby I’m yours’ went on to be nominated for the Best pop/dance/urban video and ‘Best Animation’ awards at the UK Music Video Awards; did the reception of the single exceed your initial expectations?
Yeah of course, not because of this animation, but we didn’t expect this song to be as big. When we go to the live shows, we have people who knew the lyrics by heart and it was on a few American TV shows, a few movies in France and a few commercials in France as well. So yeah, I didn’t expect to get this far with the track but I’m pretty happy with it.
So with both songs and the album itself, I’ve noticed a kind of 70s neon pop sound to it, were there any other genres that influenced the album during it’s recording?
There were a lot of bands that I love and I think they really influenced me during the recording. Like for example The Beach Boys, Michael Jackson of course, Prince, all the Motown artists like Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and stuff like that. Just like really transpiring Soul and black music in general, Hip Hop as well and I try to mix all these things into my songs.
And I noticed Michael Jackson greatly influenced your album, how were you trying to work his sound to your own work?
Well, I try not to make it too close to Michael. I tried to find my own pathway, so I tried not to make Michael Jackson songs but I found this guy called Ruckazoid, who got this amazing voice and when you think about it, you have to think of Michael. So, I guess it’s just a reference because I love his music and I wanted to make a little reference to his work. But it’s not like that in every song; it’s probably like two or three songs that are really like Michael.
When choosing the vocalists for your album, what made you go with Irfane and Ruckazoid?
Well the voice of course, I wanted make songs with men singing in high pitch and when I found them, I thought their voices were amazing so that’s why I picked them and then we became friends.
And did you record the songs to suit their vocal skills in mind or was it choosing the artist after the completion of the song?
I composed the music and then I work with the singer and he basically writes the lyrics. I think it’s important for the singer to have an input in the creation, cause then he gets more involved and he gives a better side of himself I guess.
Since the release of your first EP ‘Happy Rabbits’, how has your sound changed with ‘By Your Side’?
I think it used to be a bit more rough and a bit more distorted, now it’s more polished and clean. I think it sounds more like real pop music I guess, before it was more like experimental electro and weirdo stuff. I think I still have some experimental things in my music but not so much as my first EP, I think it sounds more like pop today.
And considering how predominant you have become since the release of your first EP, why did it take the length of time to release your LP?
Well, just because it takes a long time to make songs actually and I had many, many songs I threw away and had been too caught in the tracks and I was also doing other stuff. I was making remixes, I was touring a lot and I was working on the live show, so I didn’t feel like I was taking a vacation or anything, I was spending a lot of time doing what I do and trying the best I can.
Now French electro has grounded itself as a genre with it’s own unique sound and traits, but when compared to mainstream dance, it still relatively underground. Do you think that it will become bigger in the near future now that artists such as yourself are becoming more predominant?
I actually don’t really think about that, like about the fame. I mean I’m just happy the way things are, like I’m doing my music, I can live from it and travel around the world, like I can go to the other side of the world and spend some time at home. I’m happy with that and if I could continue with that, I would be the happiest man in the world. I don’t need to be super famous and I don’t want to be super famous, I wouldn’t like to be recognize on the street and stuff. So, the way things are now are really good.
French electro has become genre without a sudden drop of bass, instead it has a consistency that flows throughout the entire song allowing a more mellowed out feeling, in the future do you want to make your music with that same consistency or change it entirely and experiment further with different sounds?
Well, I don’t think you can do the same thing over and over, so you have to evolve and find new ways and that is what I’m trying to do right now for the second LP. Trying to find which direction I want to go, but I think it will be a bit more experimental, like these songs are more polished, simple and very clean and I want to change things and push them forward, but still have this pop feel.
In terms of your labels, your first EP was released under Moshi Moshi and then you moved to Ed Banger, how was the feeling of moving to the label ran by the legendary Busy P?
Well for me, it was fastastic because I think this family is probably the best electro family in France, so I was very happy to be with these guys. I think they’re fun and they like to throw a lot of pool parties and stuff, so it’s just been nothing but fun so far.
Now finally before we wrap things up, the one question I’ve been dying to ask is, what made you choose the name ‘Breakbot’ as your alias as an artist?
It was a nickname I got in high school, my friends called me Breakbot because in France we had this thing where we reversed names, like my first name is Thibaut and that became Bo-T and then Bot and then Breakbot, because I was listening to a lot of funk, disco, breaker and break dance music, so I guess that’s it you know.
Well thank you for speaking to The 59th Sound.
It’s my pleasure man.
Jason Cheung
Search tags - Breakbot, Summerdayze