1.
24 X 7 Boy
2. Unpredictable
3. All Around
4. Brazil
5. Fire Escape
6. One Parachute
7. Tune In
8. Dream On
9. White Noise
10. Come Around
11. Whistle
12. Ear To The Ground
Tahiti
80 is an
English-language French pop group formed in 1993 in Rouen, composed of
Médéric Gontier (guitar, vocals, keyboards)
Pedro Resende (bass, programming, keyboards, percussion, vocals)
Sylvain Marchand (drums/percussion, keyboards, piano)
and Xavier Boyer (vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards, piano).
After the excellent "Puzzle" in 1999, "Wallpaper For The Soul" in 2002
and "Fosbury" in 2005, the band has just released its 4th studio album
"Activity Center" with the lead single "All Around".
Interview with Xavier, singer of Tahiti 80:
S: When and how was Tahiti 80 born?
Xavier:
in Rouen in the 90's.
S:Where
is the name of the band coming from?
X: a T-shirt souvenir of
holidays.
S: What
are the positive and negative sides of being a musician in France?
X:
positive: many things to invent.
negative: it requires much work.
S: Do you think the emotion is
different between a song in English and in French?
X: Yes, english is more
instinctive.
S: How and when did all begin
with music ?
X: Thanks to older
brothers, to the radio, to trips in car listening the Beatles.
S: What musicians or artists had
an influence in your life and in your work? X:
The Beatles for exemple, the best English teachers we can imagine.
S: Do you remember what was the
first CD you bought?
X:
The first album of the Real People, a secondary band of the baggy
movement...I think it's that.
S: Do you feel anxious before a
show ?
X: Reasonably
S:How could you define the
music of
Tahiti 80?
X: Melodic and
harmonic.
S: When you write a song you
follow your heart, your brain or your hand ?
X:
It's silly to say but the 3 in the same time, there's a mechanical side
(the hand), totally improvised (the heart) and luckily the brain gives
order on everything.
S: What is your favorite song of Tahiti 80 and why?
X:
At present time "Tune In", because I had this song since long time
(around 10 years) and it's only 6 monthes ago that I found the trigger
to achieve it. Nothing is lost.
S: You know a big international
success, especially in Japan,
do you think you embody something like a French Touch? X:
No, you may rather ask it to the 2nd wave of the French
Touch.
Previously there were not so many bands who sounded like us. S: And for a bigger popularity
in France, it's just a "Matter Of
Time"?
X:
To get this popularity, I think we have to make some sacrifices, that
we're not ready to do... we will see if it happens naturally.
S: As musician, what's your
feeling about Internet?
X:
It's great to download an undiscoverable album and non re-edited in
just a click... but, I don't download albums we find everywhere else, I
buy them.
S: Can you describe what is a
typical Tahiti
80's day? X:
On tour: a small breakfast not very tasty in the hostel, road in van,
some football in service areas beside motorways, sandwich at the same
place, unloadings, balance...a concert, beers, whisky...an hostel...
S: What are your hobbies aside
music?
X: Reading the newspapers,
novels..., buying instruments, following football results.
S: Are you an
"Unpredictable" person?
X:
Certainly, nobody at school or in my familly could imagine that I would
be a musician.
S: Where would you like to play
in the future, is there a place in the world you would love to visit ?
X: Tahiti, but we will
wait the split of the band (we don't want to be disappointed)
S: Are there any things, which
you are afraid of? Do you have any fears? X: I don't like
rats...aside that not so many OCD.
S: What is the best moment and
best place to listen to your music ?
X:
Wherever and whenever.
S: Last
year you released your excellent first solo album "Tutu To Tango" under
the anagram Axe Riverboy, would Direction
Germe, Marchanda Lys Vin and Rependre Dose be interested by knowing
this experience too?
X: The anagram of Sylvain
Marchand is Marvin Cash
Dylan...not bad, isn't it? Knowing solos adventures yes, but no
anagrams I think (Maradiostar, Hippie Johnny, Rainbow Dogs)
S: As
our website is dedicated to Manic Street Preachers maybe can you say
some words about them? X:
I remember one 4 real cut with razor on a forearm...gore. And the end
of Motown Junk on their first single that ended with a reminder of
"Lust for life"...the rest I'm not a big fan.
S: Do you agree with
Victor Hugo who said : "Melancholy is the pleasure of being sad" ? X: Yes.
S: I
know it’s a difficult question, but if you would have to keep
just one album from your CD collection what album would it be?
X: Few weeks ago, it was
The White Album (for its 40th
anniversary)
S: What was the last song you
listened to before the interview? And, if you know, which one will be
the next?
X: Lemonheads - Rudderless
S: What are your plans for the
nearest future? X: A train to Reims
(concert tonight)
S: And finally, what’s
the most important thing in life for you? X: Love and
...money.
MANY thanks to Xavier and Tahiti 80 for the interview!