ROX-TV brings you an exclusive interview from France. Tonight we chop it up with the artist Poltergeist. We talk about his music, history, and much more. See what’s jumping on the other side of the world tonight!
Welcome to the ROX-TV website Poltergeist, its an honor to have you on with us. Before we jump into your history and music, I always like to give the artists a chance to let the readers know where they are from and/or the specific city they are representing. Can you tell the readers where you call home?
Hi ROX-TV, thanks for having me! I come from Chalon-sur-saône, a small town in France, where many cultural actions take place around entertainment and music. Between us, we call it Berlin-sur-saône 😉
While we are on the subject of where you’re from, I like to ask the artist, especially international guests a little bit about the music scene in their city or country. Can you talk to the readers about what the scene is like in your area? Are there any music genres or sub sets of music that either dominate the region or the underground? If so could you fill us in. Most of the readers for ROX-TV are state side in America and I think hearing about other parts of the world is interesting and helps give music fans a better view of your perspective.
Where I come from, we don’t have traditional music from the region, but in Chalon-sur-saône, in the Burgundy region, the public tends towards underground rock. There are different places where you can listen to indie projects. However, in recent years I have the impression that the trend is towards electro music, the centers of interest are changing. In addition, various other places are present, such as a jazz club and a national scene focused on theater and dance. On the scale of the country, the Burgundy region is a region that is poorly represented, sometimes a little forgotten.
I always enjoy talking to artists about how they came to their current relationship with music. I find musical tastes of anyone to be interesting, but it seems even more special when talking with people who are actually making the music and who have devoted their lives to the sounds. What are your earliest memories of music? What type of music was it?
My earliest memories date from when I was 5-6 years old. My parents listened to a lot of music, and I remember hearing Jacques Brel in the car on the way to school, it was impressive! In the process, I chose to join violin classes at the Chalon music school. I discovered the Belgian singer Arno, then all the current American black Rythm & blues of Wilson Pickett, James Brown, Ray Charles, Aretha….My first contact with music was quite far from electro music in
reality.
As you got older, was there a specific sound or music genre that really drew you in? Perhaps you could share with the readers some of the sounds and artists that would leave a lasting impression on you?
It’s natural for me to quote the clash, the sex pistols, joy division, new order…all British pop wave. More recently Baxter Dury, which is enthroned among the revelations of the last 5 years. The artist who will leave a lasting impression on me will forever be David Bowie. As much for his creativity as for his musical and graphic tastes…As I get older, I begin to understand that my musical tastes are turning towards EBM, post-punk, new wave electronics..
I enjoy asking this question of the artists when they are talking with us, how long did you enjoy music as a “fan” before you made the fateful decision to switch gears and start creating music? Once you decided to become an artist, what did those early attempts look like? Perhaps the first time you recorded a song?
The POLTERGEIST project really took shape at the end of 2020 when I participated in a regional competition which I won, it motivated me extremely and since then I have been in the same state of mind. I then released my first EP “This Never Existed”. Thinking about it, although very young at the time, I was already in this “professional” motivation, for me making music would logically be my job. I’ve been recording stuff on my computer since I was 12, I have many rock’n’roll demos 😉 I’ve always been a fan and always in demand to evolve in my personal projects, but I’m still a fan now!
It seems like artists go through certain phases of creation, starting with writing a song or getting into the studio. Can you talk a little bit about your first examples of music that you started to promote? What did those earlier times in your career look like?
The first track I recorded seriously was an electro pop single called “White”. I had just bought myself a new sound card and it was the first time that it sounded like I wanted, it was very significant! Obviously, it was not as prepared as now but it was still pro… you have to start somewhere.
We were excited to learn about your release of Kampfer, which I understand is your debut LP. Could you talk to the readers about your inspirations behind Kampfer and what were some of the influences that you drew on to create such an amazing body of work. I’ve listened to the LP and really enjoyed the vibes which some people have called “dark wave”. How would you describe the album?
First, thank you!!I think the term Dark Wave is fair but insufficient. Kämpfer is an album inspired by 80′ 90′ electronics like EBM, post-punk, electro-goth, new-wave…I like this musical period and I wanted to rediscover the sound of those years. The pure, raw and sharp sound that can be found in Crash Course in science, Kraftwerk, DAF. In Kämpfer I talk about the passage of time, success and the irreversible path that human beings have taken. I am satisfied with this first album, and I find that it represents me quite well in sound, content and form.
What was it like recording Kampfer? Was there any time during the process that really stuck with you or that you were extremely happy with? Apparently Vitalic was very impressed with your music, enough so that he signed you to Clivage Music after one listen. Can you talk about how you were able to meet with Vitalic and play your music for him? What kind of thoughts were going through your head?
I remember very clearly when I wrote “La Grande Dame”, the whole structure of the song and the takes were done in a few hours. I was very satisfied, and I felt that it could be a single. Moreover, it was the first track to be recorded in an album perspective (at the time I didn’t know yet if I was really going to release an album). Being signed to Clivage was a great source of pride for me because another project that I am extremely close to is also on the label
(KOMPROMAT). My manager sent the existing tracks to the label, and they hit it off straight away. It was unexpected for me, a real surprise!
Will you be doing shows in support of Kampfer? I read that you would be doing some shows with Vitalic on an upcoming tour? Can you talk about the tour?
Yes! 15 shows are planned for September to December in France. Indeed 8 shows are opening for Vitalic, it’s going to be on fire!!The tour takes place in different cities in France, in venues and festivals. It’s a first for me and I’m very motivated to play Kämpfer in front of an unfamiliar audience.
Where can ROX-TV readers and new listeners find your material to check out or purchase?
The album is available on all streaming platforms and on vinyl and cd on many websites, just search on the internet Poltergeist Kämpfer. All the latest info is available on Facebook and Instagram…
What does the rest of the year look like for you? Any new projects in the works?
For the moment the rest of the year is not well defined, but what is certain is that I will make music every day and think about the next releases!! I hope to come and play in US very soon!!
We really appreciate you taking time out of your busy day to talk with us. Before we leave are there any shout outs you’d like to share with the readers?
I can’t wait to see how Americans react to my music. I can observe quite an interesting number of streams on the U.S. side. For me it would be a source of pride to have an American public that really appreciates my music.
Well that about does it for this interview. We thank Poltergeist again for taking time out of his busy day to speak with the readers. I’d like to also shout out Tiphaine at Citizen Records, Vitalic, and the music heads from France who tuned in. We enjoy showcasing artists from around the country and beyond. Beyond that, raise the music up, treat people well, expand your mind and perspective, and never stop growing.
Signing Off,
Mike Shepard
ROX-TV Head Writer
shepard2909@hotmail.com
