1. How did the band initially come together? Can you share a bit about your journey as a group?
Hello and thank you for this interview.
The project I’ve created is the result of a former band I was part of coming to an end. Not wanting to stop playing music, I wanted to fulfil my own desires
So I decided to create Past and Secrets.
I create absolutely everything in this project, apart from the solos where I call on international artists.
2. What would you say sets your music apart from other rock bands in the industry?
I can’t say that I differentiate myself from other styles of rock music. Above all, I’ve decided to bring out my own emotions through a totally instrumental project. Everyone is free to think what they want when they listen to my music. And that’s the whole point.
3. Could you describe the creative process within the band? How do you typically approach songwriting and arranging?
As a general rule, I draw my inspiration from past, present and future events, which is why the project is called Past and Secrets.
Every moment in my life allows me to write certain songs. My inspiration comes really naturally. Every time I write something, it’s mostly inspired by sounds I can hear.
I can easily use the dictaphone on my phone to capture general ideas and then transcribe them onto my recording sequence.
4. Are there any specific themes or messages that you aim to convey through your music?
The messages I can convey are quite varied. I can talk about seeing the world through a child’s eyes, as well as the emotions that can come from sadness or the joy of past memories.
To be honest, each song has its own feeling and I don’t try to keep the same theme on each album.
5. How do you feel your sound has evolved since the band’s formation? Have there been any significant changes in your approach or style?
It’s true that a difference has been felt since the release of the first track ‘BABY M’ in September 2019 and since the release of my last album in April 2024 called ‘ANOTHER DAY,ANOTHER TIME’. The writing of each track is still inspired by my emotions.
But there’s been an evolution in the structure of each track, where I’ve tried to bring different moods.
6. What has been the biggest challenge the band has faced so far, and how did you overcome it?
That’s a really relevant question because it’s a challenge I’ve had to face and I’m a fear that’s happened to me. When I wrote my first album”Memories” in October 2020, it was very well received and I realised the quality of the work I was capable of producing.
I set myself the challenge of making a second album, but with the fear of doing as well as the first, or even better.
I think I succeeded in that challenge, but it was very complicated because I was really afraid that this one wouldn’t be as well received as the first and above all I was afraid that the songs would be quite repetitive. Personally, I’m very happy with it and I think it’s a clear evolution.
7. Are there any particular artists or bands that have influenced your musical style or inspired you?
Of course!! I’m a big fan of Pink Floyd and all those 70s when we saw such varied and inspiring things appear. I’m also a big fan of Djent Music, being inspired by bands like Periphery and Meshuggah.
I also had my share of youth listening to bands like Limp Bizkit and even Korn.
I was also rocked by guitar heroes like Steve Vai, who was one of my great sources of inspiration.
Sometimes I also listen to classical music and 90s pop-rock, or even jazz.
The influences are very varied and I’m very happy about that.
8. Can you share a memorable or interesting experience from one of your live performances?
During one of my solo performances for a cancer charity, I was very moved to see my family in front of me dancing and congratulating me. You have to realise that my family has always supported me through good times and bad, and that’s why it’s touched me so far. There’s one thing you need to know, I’m alone on stage performing my songs with the soundtracks from the recorded tracks. It’s a very difficult thing to do, but that very first concert will always be engraved in my memory.
9. How do you engage with your audience during your live shows? What kind of experience do you strive to create for them?
Playing alone is a disadvantage because people don’t expect that sort of thing.
I tried to create a 30 to 45 minutes set that would allow them to follow me through the emotions I try to convey by trying to give waves to the set I produce. In addition, a video sequence allows me to animate the stage whenever possible. This allows me to be a little less alone and to bring some animation to the audience.
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?
After the release of my album in April 2024, I’m going to release a new single in about a month’s time called ‘THE END’. It’s very important for me to do a follow-up and I’ll do whatever it takes to do that.
I’m also working on a cover version of which I’ll let you discover in a while. After that, I’m thinking of working on single after single so that I can get back into songwriting and give more to my fans.
11. How do you handle criticism or negative reviews of your work? Has it ever affected your creative process or confidence as a band?
Negative criticism gives me extra strength. The fact that I take it on board allows me to question myself and move forward. I’ve already had criticism and it’s true that it doesn’t necessarily make you happy at the time
But after thinking about it and understanding this criticism, I’ve built things up in a completely different way, and I’ve come to realize that in the end they’ve helped me to evolve.
12. Are there any rituals or routines that you follow before going on stage or entering the recording studio?
To answer your question, I don’t really have any, apart from maybe wearing the same clothes for each concert. I’ll admit frankly that I’m always a bit nervous about going up to the stage.
It’s imperative for me to be able to get into my own bubble so that I can give my best.
On studio, the first notes are very important because they tell me whether I’m in a good phase or not and, above all, whether the work is going to be correct or not. But every time I go into the studio, I always tell myself that it should be a memory and not a constraint.
I think that music is there so that we can escape and create memories, not constraints.
13. Have you faced any notable obstacles or hurdles as a band, and how did you navigate through them?
I can talk about negative periods and The biggest obstacle is a lack of inspiration.
For an artist, the most complicated thing is not having the inspiration at a given moment, finding yourself faced with your piece without being able to give it a coherent follow-up due to a lack of inspiration at the time. These moments are Very difficult to manage.
14. What advice would you give to aspiring rock musicians who are just starting their journey?
The only advice I can give them is to make music for passion. The simple fact of being able to play an instrument allows you to escape from the world in which you live. It puts you in a bubble and makes you feel good. The simple fact of being able to play an instrument makes you feel good.
15. Are there any specific goals or milestones that the band hopes to achieve in the future?
As I’ve already explained, I make music alone and out of passion. I’m lucky enough to also work for brands like Two Notes Audio Engineering and others, and my main aim is to travel to international trade fairs so that I can play on them. I’m proud to work for these brands. They put their trust in me and I have to give it back to them.
My aim is really to continue making music so that I can create as many memories as possible, and that’s going to take a lot of hard work, but I’ll still have the satisfaction of having done it.
16. How do you maintain a balance between your personal lives and the demands of being in a rock band?
My family is very understanding. When I need to be alone in my studio, they let me do it because they know very well that I can’t live without it. I’ve given myself very specific days to create and make music. I’m lucky in that she can also take part, and that’s an advantage.
It’s also worth pointing out that the life of the group is down to one person, so I don’t really have any constraints on dates or times, I just do things as I see fit.
17. 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?
There’s one song that will stay with me forever and it’s on my first album, Memories. It’s called “Dancin’ Together” (Feat.TIEM).
It’s a really touching story and I’m going to tell you about it.
When I’m writing a song, I always need support and feedback.
So I gave it to my family so that they could listen to it and give me their opinion.
When I came home from work, I heard this song in the house.
And when I opened the door, I found my family dancing to this song. The name came to me straight away and the finish on this one was just incredible.
18. Can you share a fun or interesting fact about each band member that fans might not be aware of?
As far as I’m concerned, I’m not a professional musician but also a pastry chef.
I’ve been baking since I was a child, because I was born into a family of pastry bakers. I made it my profession and my passion for music came much later.
19. What is the ultimate dream or vision that you have for the band’s legacy?
My dream is to be able to collaborate with great international artists on solos. I don’t have any specific names, but it would be great to be able to work with one of them one day.
20. What would you be doing if you weren’t a musician?
Frankly, I can’t imagine my life without music. It keeps me alive and gives me the strength I need on a daily basis.
Honestly, I can’t imagine my life without music. It keeps me alive and gives me the strength I need on a daily basis.
I practice a sport linked to it, which is skateboarding and which has also become a passion, but it won’t replace my love for music.
21. What song do you wish you had written by another band?
Without hesitation, the song ‘Learning to Fly’ by Pink Floyd. In fact, I’ve done a cover of it in my own way. It’s a song that moves me so much that I really wish I’d written it.
22. Is it possible to be on the road and not succumb to eating junk food?
It’s all a question of balance. I was lucky enough to be able to tour with one of my old projects and it’s true that junk food was present on a daily basis.
But now I’m a lot more careful. On the other hand. ,I forbid myself to drink alcohol before going on stage because I need to be in top form to give the best to the people in front of me.
Thank you for allowing me to do this interview, and I wish you all the best for the future. 24. Are there any songs you have done you wish you hadn’t?
