EMQ’s With XAVIER BOSCHER
EMQ’s With Xavier Boscher
Hi everyone. Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with French Multi-instrumentalist, Xavier Boscher. Huge thanks to him for taking part.
What is your name, what do you play, and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
I’m Xavier Boscher, I play guitar, bass guitar and keyboards. I started working on solo material after my departure from the group Misanthrope in the early 2000’s. Since then I have released many instrumental albums, which are a quite varied mix between Rock and Progressive Metal, with many influences.
How did you come up with your band name?
It’s my own name and I have a logo on all my albums, a XAV symbol 😉
What Country/Region are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?
I’m from Nice on the French Riviera, there is a little Metal / Rock scene, but with some extraordinary musicians.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
My latest album is “Cosmic Variations” and was released on the 7th March 2022. I have released many albums and EP’s. Now I am releasing a 3 EP series of Ambient instrumental music “Nankurunaisa”, with the first part out on 21st of March, the second part on 4th of April and the last part on 18th of April.
Who have been your greatest influences?
Marty Friedman, Plini, Per Nilsson, John Petrucci & Dream Theater, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Buckethead, Paul Masvidal, Steve Lukather, Steve Morse, Richard Henshall & Haken, Kiko Loureiro & Angra, Eric Johnson, Scott Henderson & Tribal Tech, Patrick Rondat, Chuck Schuldiner & Death, Andy Larocque, Pierre Bensusan, Neal Schon & many more
What first got you into music?
My mother was a piano teacher, we can say that I bathed in Chopin, Schubert, Beethoven etc. before coming into the world. Then the first contact with the piano very early, then a contact with the guitar at 14 years old with the discovery of the world of Rock and Metal and a fascination for saturated sounds.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician, who would it be?
I would very much like to collaborate with Plini, whom I find particularly brilliant and inspired, he has gone very far.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
At Hellfest in France, or maybe a guitar festival anywhere.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
I have a few fans who give me gifts, which in itself is particularly great and rewarding, but nothing in particular.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
I will tell them that I am so grateful for their support and that I will do my best to bring them new things regularly.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Chuck Shuldiner, he was the Death father and his loss was so important for me, he influenced me a lot. And also Prince, he was so awesome and productive, I wonder how many more albums he would have released?
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
I love creating and shaping my universe, I love music itself, a source of well-being and channelling emotions. I hate the music business and the competition. Music is not a competition and I find that many famous musicians lack humility.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
I’m not against streaming but I would have liked there to be a better redistribution of income, I would have liked the platforms to offer more expensive packages allowing artists to be better remunerated.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
“Focus” from Cynic, this album changed my life…
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
I like CD’s and of course digital, not a fan of vinyl and Cassettes. Digital is still very practical you can listen to everything easily, it’s a big step forward
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
It was with Misanthrope, in support of Cradle of Filth at Elysée Montmartre in December 1999, an amazing show.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
I do a lot of other activities like painting or writing, I also have a job besides music, I think I would miss it but I will have plenty to do 😉
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
My girlfriend, my best friend and my kids, we’d be a little over five.
What’s next for the band?
I continue to record a lot of albums, I’m so inspired, I have two albums ready to release in May…
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
My official website, and Facebook & Instagram.
Official Website : www.xavierboscher.com
Bandcamp : https://xavierboscher.bandcamp.com
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/xavierboscher
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/xavierboscher
Jaffa Cakes? Are they a cake or a biscuit?
A biscuit 😉
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Thank you for opening your webzine to me and for taking an interest in my music, take care of yourself.
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