"Eric Tabarly, a musical portrait."
Composing the album "Tabarly" was not planned long in advance. What actually convinced you to compose the music of the film?It's true that it turned up as I was working on my own album, it was quite unexpected. But still, I decided to watch the documentary and I rediscovered the man. After that, I started to work exclusively on what was to become a sort of musical portrait.
You were born in 1970. You are quite young to remember Tabarly's first achievements, right ?Yeah, I mean, in 1976, I was only 6, but I remember it very well for some reason. His 1976 victory in the OSTAR was quite striking, and maybe even more as a kid. It gets your imagination going. I also remember this time when everybody was worried cause nobody had heard of him for a long while.
What did you actually like about him after rediscovering him? His name is so famous –he's The man, a reference as far as sailing is concerned- that I had forgotten was he was like, I mean, inside. Eric Tabarly himself is the voice over in the documentary. I like that he's honest, that he would make no concessions. Throughout the film, I was touched, I was moved by him.
Did you work with an edited version of the movie?I haven't worked with any images. I only got myself inspired with the man's personality, so much that for a month, I was totally obsessed with it. I've read lots of things about him. Straight after accepting to work on the project, I knew it was going to be great. But quickly I started to wonder what on earth I was going to do… Because in a way, any music can illustrate a sailing race, who cares? (laughs) I mean, there's no specific music for that! And that's why I got myself impregnated by the man's story. I composed the music in Ouessant. What's a bit awkward is that Ouessant is the place in France where he's had his last dinner…
What are your favourite scenes in the movie?I really like the scene when he's referring to interviews. When he explains that if he had the reputation to be a silent man, it was because the journalists' questions were so stupid sometimes, that he didn't know what to reply. Makes me laugh. But there're plenty other scenes I like, especially those from 1976.
Why have you decided to dedicate your album to Eric Tabarly and Bernard Moitessier? I really wanted to because Bernard Moitessier was really a great guy who's been forgotten too quickly by the public. His book "La longue route" really struck me. Eric Tabarly was a real competitor while Moitessier has chosen to sail over the world a second time rather than win in Portsmouth. To that matter, they were both very different. When Tabarly heard what Moitessier had decided to do, his answer was "Well, that's interesting". There you realise how different the two men were but in the end they were both very complementary.
Do you enjoy sailing yourself?Well, I practice a bit. But no, not really. I don't really have time to. And I hate not being totally involved in things. So if it's only a couple of hours sailing in the harbour then it's not worth it. I'd love to sail but then it would have to be for a very long journey. I've already thought of recording something at sea. So yes, I would love sailing, but I keep it for later.
Why have you chosen the piano in 9 pieces out of 15 on the "Tabarly" album? Well, to be honest, the first reason is that I didn't have much time for something else! (laughs) But it doesn't mean I've botched up the thing. Piano worked well. I'm actually working on my own album and there aren't much of it. This project allowed me to play the piano again and I really enjoyed it.
What is your coming album like?It's hard work. There were lots of contrasts in my last albums. Some were very acoustic while others were very electro. In the next, you'll find those two aspects together in one piece. I'm also working hard on the sound aspect of it. A voice will be present on every piece of music but not necessarily to make a song out of it. It'll be more like any other instruments. I've been working on it since last September. I've never worked this way before: I can work on the same piece for a month, it takes time.
When is your next album due ?It could be in February. But it may as well be two albums and not only one.
During your last tour, you've travelled all around the world. Are the reactions to your music the same everywhere? It's actually easier abroad, because people haven't experienced the Amelie Poulain phenomenon the same way. At some point, a very big success can become like a burden. My musical background belongs more to independent music. And what was great during the tour abroad is that people were expecting something more independent.
Where were people the more enthusiastic?In South America. I've never experienced that anywhere else, not even in France. It was just amazing. People knew the lyrics of all the songs, even those which had not been out! Must be the internet phenomenon.
Is 2008 dedicated only to composing music?I'm not playing much this year. I've got only one concert planned in Ouessant. It'll be like a rehearsal to the tour I'd like to go on in 2009. Apart from that, I'll be staying in Rennes during the Transmusicales, working together with a great band from the Faroe Islands, called Orca. I'm also working together with Christophe Miossec on his next album. We'll be playing in Brest in January I think. And then we'll go on a small tour. 2009 is already full of projects, lots to do in the end!
interview by Frederic Jambon for "Le Telegramme"