Laurent Girard is a French composer and performer releasing work as Melodium. His instrumental music draws on classical, ambient, folk, and pop influences. He sometimes uses the term "folktronica."
For years Girard has been a favorite of Roman Mars, who produces the podcast 99% Invisible. This year Roman Mars's bigger project, Radiotopia, successfully waged a fundraising campaign to support its continuing efforts developing a community of great podcast/radio producers. One of the rewards for this campaign was an album by Melodium that was never before available.
I asked Laurent about his musical evolution and how the reward album came about.
How did you get started with music? What first really grabbed you?
I started learning piano and then organ when I was young, about 10. I think what attracted me the most at that period was having control of something, creating my own stuff. When you are a child you are so dependent on the others that it's so great to find a refuge when you can be free and liberate your mind.
What pushed you to start releasing music?
I don't know many people involved in music. I have always made music alone — and rather secretly. I also have always had the passion of listening to music. I like it as much as creating music. So I thought, "Why not try to be on a record?" I think it was one of the happiest moment of my life to have my first 7" on Static Caravan Recordings, a kind of achievement.
How did you connect with Roman Mars at 99% Invisible?
If I remember correctly, he often bought music of mine and I always said thank you. Then he told me he was a fan of my music and often used it for his podcast. He was very supportive at a moment when I sold very little digital or proper releases which was difficult and not very motivating.
Do you write original music for the show, or does he only use existing material?
No, he uses only existing material.
Are you involved in any other productions?
My music has been used for TV advertisements, but it was handled by an agency in relation with record labels. I would love to be featured on a TV series because I'm such a fan of what's being created right now.
What is the experience like for you to hear your music mixed with other material?
The greatest moment so far was when my music was used by Frito Lay for a big animation campaign. It was a really cute ad and it sounds so abstract or unbelievable that they choose the music of a secret man living in France.
Has it changed your perspectives on music at all?
Not at all. I make music because I need it. It's a moment of freedom and letting go. I will probably continue to make music even if I stop releasing it.
How did the special music for the Radiotopia campaign happen? Did Roman just ask you to do it?
In fact, Roman proposed to put out a compilation of past tracks and I proposed a new exclusive album I had in stock.
Were you inspired by anything specific for the music? After several more experimental albums I wanted to do something more pop even if some tracks are quite abstract, others are classical folktronica pop tracks.
What instruments did you primarily use?
I used classical guitar and an old Korg X3 keyboard and various plug-ins on my computer. The beats are often made of sounds I collect and pass through lots of plug-ins to obtain something totally different from the original sound.
What are you working on now?
I'm working on a new album on which I mainly use one analogic synthesizer that I have. It will be five long tracks with epic and hypnotic moments. Beside the album 99 released during the Kickstarter campaign I have three other albums waiting to come out.
Anything you have yet to accomplish that is high on your list?
I dream to write a detective novel because I'm a fan, but I'm not sure I have the abilities. Maybe when I'm a bit older.
Garrett Tiedemann is a writer, filmmaker and composer who owns the multimedia lab CyNar Pictures and its record label American Residue Records.
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