How is the latest release different from previous ones?
It is our first album recorded outside of France and Europe, we wanted to create something epic, similar in scale to The Smashing Pumpkins’ Mellon Collie and The Infinite Sadness.
Nostalgia seems like a common theme in your band’s musical approach, why is that so?
I really find it difficult to explain but it has been part of my personality since I was young. For example the track “Raconte Moi Une Histoire” in the album was inspired by a Japanese TV show about a frog that I used to watch as a kid.
How has touring with the likes of Depeche Mode and Kings of Leon influenced your creative process?
We have been very fortunate to play alongside such great performers and the lessons you learn from watching them upclose are invaluable. In fact, my bolder vocal style can be attributed to becoming more confident and playing in big arenas with them.
The saxophone infused “Midnight City” has a hallucinogenic big city vibe to it, what’s it all about?
Blame it on the drugs for the vibe but it’s also our homage to imaginary cities, great architecture and the big lights of a city like LA.
What can we expect from your set at Laneway?
We are really excited to bring our music to new audiences in a festival setting; one can certainly expect our a fun set-list to heighten the carnival like atmosphere.
M83 will perform at Laneway Festival Singapore on February 12, 12.05am at Fort Canning Park. See other interviews with Chairlift and Feist.
