Gabriel Keller

1. How did the band initially come together? Can you share a bit about your journey as a group?

So precisely, I’m not a group because I don’t like being in a group for creation. It’s often too frustrating for me. That’s why I create solo, then, like a film director, I work with musicians who are (from my point of view) best suited to the piece in question. This is why on my albums, there are several drummers, bassists, guitarists, singers, etc.

On the other hand, to defend my music on stage, yes, we are a group. We take my pieces and adapt them in our own way. 

Whether in a trio or a full band. We play them as a group and not as I decide. So that it really feels alive and organic.

2. What would you say sets your music apart from other rock bands in the industry?

Well, I would say that she is not there to please or designed for success. I want it to be sincere, with emotions, and professional sides. I like to dare, to discover, to travel musically. And above all, I want to take risks. 

And I’m not trying to show off either. So yes, there is my photo in the album cover, but above all I try to highlight the music! 

3. Could you describe the creative process within the band? How do you typically approach songwriting and arranging?

It’s so varied. I have a different working method for almost every piece! Ahahaha

But let’s say, for some of the first album. I composed the melodies and made the arrangements in my corner. Then, I sent the song to the singer with whom I wanted to work for this title, telling her: what does this song mean to you. And can you write related to that? This is how “Train To Resolution” was born in the first album. In the second, that’s how “Your Way” and “Change” were born. 

And as a result, Emi B wrote a text related to what the music evoked for her. And I leave the field open to be able to make some modifications to the melodic lines so that she can make the piece her own.

Then sometimes, I really have everything in mind and I just don’t know how to write the text. In my new album “hope despite everything”, there are 4 titles which are related to letters that a mother receives from her son who has gone to war. I knew what I wanted but I didn’t know how to write it. So, Emi B was kind enough to play along and put herself in my head, or above all, in this mother’s head, to write the lyrics and rewrite certain melodies to make it more coherent. 

In fact, it is a solo project, but truly collaborative where everyone contributes to the building. And I do the same with all musicians. Even the drummer. I send him my ideas, and depending on his experience, his level, his technique, … he suggests things to me. We keep, we don’t keep, but in any case we make sure that there is something of him in it.

4. Are there any specific themes or messages that you aim to convey through your music?

There are plenty. Already, emotions. If possible, strong and poignant, if only with the music alone. I love it when people come to see us after a concert to tell us that they cried their hearts out. 

And then in the texts, I try to get more and more into it to get people to think. 

On “Hope Despite Everything,” I want to make people question the absurdity of war. As for the importance of ecology. 

But there are also some lighter titles that are there to allow people to escape. This is the case of “Your Way” for example and “Poussières Èternelles”. 

5. How do you think your sound has evolved since the band formed? Have there been any significant changes in your approach or style?

Since I started to present my music as an acoustic trio, I have been nourished by the acoustic guitar and more acoustic styles like traditional or American folk. And even other styles more from the world like more Hispanic styles. 

And these are sounds that I brought enormously to this new album. There are more choruses that come from my love of classical music. More acoustic guitar and more “natural” instruments. Vibraphones, marimba, but also cello, violin, etc.

And I think that this more organic and acoustic part will continue to grow in my music.

6. What has been the biggest challenge the band has faced so far, and how did you overcome it?

Well, my biggest challenge was to bring this music (which is still very rich) on stage. At the beginning, there was the acoustic trio for which I was surrounded by 2 fantastic musicians. Lucie on cello and Charlotte on vocals. Together, we were able to interpret my pieces in our own way to really sound like a group and not like a solo artist accompanied by his musicians. And it was a hell of a lot of work to arrange! 

And the second challenge was to be able to bring this music on stage in a way as rock as what is on the album. And there, it was a challenge as much technical as it was of choice. What do I keep in the tapes? Do I put tapes on? Which musicians? Drummer, bassist and cellist in addition to a singer and 2 guitarists,… How to sell it? 

As a result, the solution settled on a quintet formation, Lucas on drums (who is very present in the 2 albums), Lucie on cello and bass (depending on the pieces) Charlie on guitar and bass ( also depending on the pieces), myself on guitar and Charotte on vocals. 

As a result, we have a mix of organic with titles without tapes, without clicks, … and much more produced titles where we are clicked, or tapes are broadcast (with string quartet in it for example)

And I’m really happy with this mix and these 2 training courses where I really have an incredible chance to be extremely well surrounded!

7. Are there any particular artists or bands that have influenced your musical style or inspired you?

Yes, a lot. But if I have to name those thanks to whom I make music as they inspired me, I would say: Pink Floyd Beatles, Porcupine Tree Opeth. 

And it’s not just because I like their music. It’s because I like what it provokes in me. A range of emotions that I dream of being able to share with the public as well. 

8. Can you share a memorable or interesting experience from one of your live performances?

Unfortunately, I have little live experience. It is quite difficult to play this music in France. Despite everything, my biggest experience was in October 2023. We were able to do what was my first tour with the trio. And to celebrate, we even released an acoustic EP “called Trio”. 

And it was so great to play every night. To see people’s smiles. their tears too. 

9. How do you interact with your audience during your live shows? What kind of experience are you striving to create for them?

Whatever the form, acoustic or rock, I try to bring a lot of poetry. May it be a lovely moment that will remain engraved in their memory. Whether it is through our scenography, but also in our way of playing music. It’s easier in acoustics because the context of the places lends itself more to it (we played in libraries, churches, temples) and as a result, the cozy atmosphere allows us to immerse our spectators in this atmosphere. 

In the rock version, obviously, due to the rock or even metal side of the music, we have a little less of this poetic side. but with scanning and light, we try to bring the public into our universe. To make him travel. That’s important, making him travel. With emotions and intensities of many different kinds!

10. Are there any upcoming projects or releases that you’re excited about? Can you give us a sneak peek into what’s next for the band?
Well already, there is the release of “Hope Despite Everything” on June 24, 2024 with a release concert on June 29. A date that I partly produce and for which we bring in Lazuli, who is a headliner in the world of French rock rock and above all, a group that I adore! 

Then, well, I’m already starting to compose the next opus that I want as a break in my trilogy. Yes, because “Hope despite Everything” is the second part of a trilogy based on chiaroscuro. “Clair Obscur” being the first. but before releasing the third part, I want a lighter opus. With more French and more acoustics. I already have drafts of 8 titles and some are even already finished. 

I love composing so much that I can’t take a break! Hahaha

11. What do you enjoy most about being part of a band? Is there a specific aspect of the music-making process that you find particularly fulfilling?

So I don’t like the idea of ​​being part of a group. At least for the creative part. For live performances, it’s different because we create a common energy which can only increase the emotional potential of a song. 

On the other hand, for creation (at least for me who likes to explore lots of musical avenues), in a group, I feel stuck. Stuck by everyone’s influences, preferences, techniques, etc.

I want to do jazzy tracks, pop tracks, metal tracks. And a drummer who is comfortable on one register is not comfortable on the other. Then we can find ourselves facing musicians who don’t want to experiment as much. And so, for me, it’s just frustration. This is why I can no longer be part of a group strictly speaking. 

Or, session musician. But a group like the Beatles, I couldn’t. 

Afterwards, however, I like to collaborate. And I only compose with several people. But where each person was chosen for the style of song I want. Like that, there is an emulsion, but an emulsion that goes in the right direction and where no one is an obstacle. Basically, I create groups for each title. So, with a lot of music in common. 

But basically, that’s it. Each title is the result of the creation of a dedicated group! Ahahaha

12. How do you handle criticism or negative reviews of your work? Has it ever affected your creative process or confidence as a band?

I try to put my ego aside, because I know too many musicians who have become upset after good reviews. 

I really try to extract the essentials and understand what he liked. And then, in difficult times, it really keeps me going. There are always moments of doubt where we think our music sucks. Well in those moments, I’m happy to read that someone liked my music. And I’m really super grateful to these people who took their time to listen to my music, analyze it and finally write about it. It’s so strong actually! 

Afterwards, I always listen to the negative reviews. Afterwards, my listening level is indexed to the relevance of the criticism. For my first album, I had 4 negative reviews. 

2 or just the columnist didn’t like it. Either there was nothing interesting in the column and we wondered why the guy wasted time writing it. So I didn’t pay attention to those. 

On the other hand, there were 2 (An Italian and a French) in which it was very well written, ultra well thought out and or, I can only say: Ok man. Frankly, I accept your criticism with open arms. 

And to tell you, I even shared them on my networks because, precisely, it also feels good to have constructive negative criticism. And one of them was talking about the tempos used in the first album. Well, I used it to vary the tempos of this second opus! 

13. Are there any rituals or routines that you follow before going on stage or entering the recording studio?

In the studio as well as live, it’s mainly breathing exercises. I need to relax a lot because I am naturally very stressed. And playing tense and stressed is not good. So, I don’t practice a lot before going on stage or entering the studio. That’s upstream, the days before,…

On the other hand, I really need to breathe, to relax. So breathing, body relaxation exercises, warming up the track and presto!!

14. Have you faced any notable obstacles or hurdles as a band, and how did you navigate through them?

Funding! In France, rock is not like in Anglo-Saxon countries. It’s very marginal, not really liked. And so music that’s a little complex and/or music that’s a little metal is really not a good thing. 

In France, people rely mainly on the text. the text the text the text. And in fact, the music plays in the background. For me it’s a bit the opposite, the music and then the text. Because, for me, emotions come above all from the music. How we play it and interpret it. So yes, the text is important, but less than the music (for me). I think it comes from my love for English rock and especially classical music. 

So I was faced with a lot of refusals from tour operators, labels, places to play, …

So I had to set up my own booking and production company. Do crowdfunding. And it was by giving and sacrificing myself that I ended up overcoming certain obstacles. 

15. What advice would you give to aspiring rock musicians who are just starting their journey?

Above all, don’t give up. believe in your dreams and above all, don’t sacrifice your music for success. Do what you love with heart, and people will end up being won over by your sincerity. 

16. Are there any specific goals or milestones that the band hopes to achieve in the future?

Ahhh, I would dream of opening for bands like Pineapple Thiefs, Porcupine Tree, … And all these big international progressive rock bands. To be able to be listened to and judged by my peers. 

17. How do you maintain a balance between your personal lives and the demands of being in a rock band?

Ahahahaha, I sacrificed everything. My life as a couple, my love life, my friendship life. And even my life balance. It’s not easy every day, but it’s music that keeps me alive. Not the rest. Everything else is just a passage in life. Love is passing through. Friendships, even long ones, are often fleeting. The music remains. So I sacrifice everything for her.

Which doesn’t mean I don’t have any friends. All the musicians who accompany me are very dear to me. 

but it is true that I spend a lot of time on my project.

18. Is there a particular song from your discography (Disc-og-ra-fee) that holds a special meaning for the band or carries a significant story behind it?

Almost all. They all reflect a moment in my life. From my feelings, from my experience. I don’t write for the sake of writing. I write to express, to share, for emotions. 

But if I had to name only 2, I would say: “Time” for the first album. Because it has a direct relationship with my first love. 

And in the second, “The Letter – Part 2” because it corresponds to an ultra-specific moment in my life when I was particularly happy. 

19. Can you share a fun or interesting fact about each band member that fans might not be aware of?

Charlotte who sings with me live was a singer for Disney!! 

20. What is the ultimate dream or vision that you have for the band’s legacy?

To be able to finish this trilogy and have it judged by my peers. I would love to know what Gilmour, Wilson, McCartney and so many others think about it. Even in bad ways. 

21.  What would you be doing if you weren’t a musician?

I think I will have a very lousy life sitting behind a computer waiting until I retire to enjoy it. 

22.  What song do you wish you had written by another band?

I would have dreamed of writing “Echoes” by Pink Floyd or “A Day In The Life” by the Beatles. Songs that wonderfully combine emotion, technique, perfection. 

I would never be able to come close to these works. 

23. Is it possible to be on the road and not succumb to junk food?

It is a question of will. Personally, I try to have some… But it’s hard. Very difficult !!! 

24.  Are there any songs you have done you wish you hadn’t?

For the moment, none because between the moment I write a song and the moment I decide to put it on an album, I leave almost 2 years with some exceptions. So there are titles that I find less good, but none where I have regrets. 

or regrets about sound, mixing, … or over time, I tell myself that I wouldn’t have done it like that. But that’s really quibbling. Otherwise, my songs are all my babies and I’m proud of each of them!