EMQ’s With Gabriel Keller

EMQ’s With Gabriel Keller

Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with French solo artist, Gabriel Keller. Huge thanks to them 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?

Hello! So, I’m Gabriel Keller from the project… Gabriel Keller!

In it, I compose a lot. Often in collaboration with artists I love (singers, guitarists, etc.), and I play guitar, bass, percussion, backing vocals, sometimes drums, etc. A lot of things!

It’s really my baby!

And this project was born out of the frustration of being in a band. I was in a band called Hegoa, frankly, a good band. But in a band, everyone has their own desires, their own preferences for their instrument. And I want to explore. To play rock, blues, metal, folk, classical music… In short, to experience music!

And some people didn’t want to pursue other musical paths.

So, it started to frustrate me, and that’s why I created my own project in which I do what I want musically!

And this transition took place in 2019!

How did you come up with your band name?

So it was really easy, I took my first and last name! Ahahaha!

Joking aside, I was tired of hiding behind pseudonyms, weird names. My name is Gabriel Keller, I’m proud of my music and I affirm it with my first and last name!

What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?

I’m from France. And let’s be honest, I love my country more than anything in the world. But for its musical culture, it’s not my favorite (and I’m being polite!). It’s a closed-minded country when it comes to major record labels, radio stations, etc. Music always has to be second to the lyrics, be fashionable… There’s never any risk-taking, nothing artistically interesting (compared to what I like). Especially now.

As much as in a more distant era, there were artists with panaché like we don’t see today.

And Rock here is incredibly poor. We have three major bands in our history, and that’s about it. All our great artists are more successful abroad, like Gojira, for example.

And if the lyrics aren’t in French, then we’re treated to whining all over the place.

What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)

I just released my first live performance: “Gabriel Keller And Friends // Live – La Rotonde”.

This concert was recorded on June 29, 2024, for the release party of my latest album, “Hope Despite Everything.”

It was such a thrilling and incredible moment that I felt compelled to share it.

Who have been your greatest influences?

I have a multitude. The Beatles are number 1. For me, they’re the foundation of my entire musical culture. It’s ultra-rich and well-composed, and to the ear, it always sounds obvious. That’s what I love about them.

Then, I’d mention Pink Floyd for their work on the atmosphere, and then Gilmour’s guitar playing. My favorite guitarist of all time, along with Brian May.

And lastly, I’d mention Queen. But Queen from the first five albums. That’s a musical explosion. It’s incredible what these guys have done. The Arch of the Black Queen. What a blast, that song. Pure genius.

What first got you into music?

I was lucky to have parents who were very curious about their musical choices. I was able to discover Rock, Progressive Rock, Classical music, French Chanson… In short, almost every musical genre that existed thanks to them.

And so, when I began to understand life, to understand that I could experience such powerful emotions by listening to music, I told myself that I wanted to do the same thing: to offer emotions!

If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?

Well, first of all, no one famous. I’m not looking to take advantage of someone’s fame for my project. If I collaborate with someone, it’s because that person wants us to collaborate as much as I do.

So, there are already all the singers I collaborate with. We want to collaborate together. My friend Charlie, on guitar, is always urging me to work on songs together.

These are the only people I want to work with: my friends!

How many projects do I know where guys have a star on their album, but you can tell the guy doesn’t care. He did a quick thing to get rid of it and make money, and that’s it. There’s no artistic added value or added soul.

That’s what I’m looking for: artistic added value and added soul.

If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?

Mmhhh, that’s a tough question! It’s more of a venue that would make me dream than a festival. I would dream of playing at the Olympia. It’s a legendary venue in Paris where the Beatles, McCartney, Jimi, and many other French stars that I love and respect enormously have played.

If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?

Take care of yourselves during this unstable and uncertain time. Take care of yourself and your loved ones. And try to share kindness everywhere. The world is desperately lacking it.

And then, listen to this live performance. I’m proud of it like I’ve rarely been proud. It’s a bit like the end of a musical cycle. But above all, it’s a pure joy and pleasure to have been on stage with my friends!

If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?

I want to answer: None, and let’s accept our present. But when we see the stars of the present… I have to say John Lennon, if only for his message of peace!

What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?

What I love most: creating. Seeing a song come to life. And then I’ve been lucky enough to play a few concerts and see people cry to my music. It’s… intensely emotional!

What I like least: promotion. I’m clearly not very good at it. I create all the communication tools, the visuals, the photos, the videos, etc. It takes time… And I hate social media. But hey. You have to do it!

If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?

Replace all the big bosses who only think about profits and not musical quality. I will impose musical quality standards and I will require the use of real instruments and musicians. Not soulless computer tricks.

Name one of your all-time favourite albums?

Abbey Road!

But I can’t separate it from Wish You Were Here, which moved me just as much and still moves me!

What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CDs or Downloads?

For me: CDs and streaming. I have more patience and the lifestyle for vinyl. I live in a caravan right now, so a turntable is out of the question.

I also find the sound of CDs cleaner. Less warm perhaps, but so much more precise!

I’m not at all nostalgic for the technologies of the past.

What’s the best gig that you have played to date?

My old band and I were able to open for Ange. They’re a really good French Progressive Rock band. There must have been 500 people there. It might not seem like a lot, but for Progressive Rock in France, it’s huge.

If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?

An artist in any case. I have such a strong need and desire to share and offer emotions. And if I can’t be an artist, being 6 feet under suits me just fine.

Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?

So, I don’t think you’ll know many of them. They’re all former French actors whom I admire for their wit, their acting, their films, and so much more.

And their very French way of speaking. With them, you’ll eat French food, you’ll get your stomach pumped, you’ll drink fine wines, and taste exceptional cheese.

Lino Ventura, Bernard Blier, Jean Dujardin, Jean-Paul Belmondo, and especially: Jean Gabin.

What’s next for the band?

Well, I’m going to promote my live performance. Capitalize on its release to continue building my profile.

And then, I’ll move on to the next album I’m currently finalizing.

I want to change my voice and explore more folk, more acoustic terrain. Less rock and less prog.

And who knows, maybe the next album will be a return to Prog Rock!

What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?

So I mainly use Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and my website:

Social Media:

– Site internet : https://gabrielkeller.fr

– Tik Tok : https://www.tiktok.com/@gabrielkellermusique

– Facebook :  https://www.facebook.com/GabrielKellerMusique

– Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/gabriel_keller_musique/

– Chaine Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/c/GabrielKELLERMusic

And to listen to my music, it’s right here : https://music.imusician.pro/artist/gabrielkeller/releases

There’s a long-standing food-based debate here in the UK. And we’d like your help. So… A Jaffa cake – is it a cake or a biscuit? Discuss! 

So I’m terribly sorry, I have absolutely no idea what it is!

But in France, we have a similar debate. You know, the breakfast pastry with chocolate inside: Pain au chocolat or chocolatine? [Editor’s Note: definitely pain au chocolat].

Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?

Thank you for this interview. I enjoyed doing it.

Feel free to follow me on social media, listen to my albums, and enjoy life and our freedoms while we still can.

Kisses!

Disclaimer: This interview is solely the property of Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this interview, unless you have the strict permission of said party. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.