Someone asked me recently about old blogs we had on this site. I know I had kept several of them and deleted others...and I also think Blogger may have truncated many after a certain period of time. I did decide though to keep most of them aside in case they did get lost. This one is special because it is with one of the early DDTTRH supporters, Stefan Leclair.
Here's a bit about Stephane, taken from his
Myspace profile (http://www.myspace.com/stephaneleclair):
"Being a music lover with eclectic tastes, Le Clair experimented in many
different musical styles,from funk to experimental progressive Jazz, and
beyond. He also did some dj work, and remixed songs for pop music icons DURAN
DURAN which frontman Simon Lebon and guitarist Warren Cuccurullo (also from
Frank Zappa/Missing Persons) both really loved and talked about using as a
b-side material on their next single to be released from their experimental
Medazzaland album (unfortunately no other single was ever released from that
album since the band parted from EMI records shortly after that). Conversations
with Simon and Warren gave Le Clair the boost he needed to focus even more on
his own songwriting,resulting in the recording of many very personal
acoustic/alternative tracks about life,love,women,sex,war, & peace. Le
Clair is a vegetarian,and tries to support as much as possible the following
causes: Amnesty International,The One Campaign,Peta (+ other animal rights
groups),and other ones against hate, racism,human trafficking,homophobia,&
child labor."
Stephane's interview:
[Kirk, DDTTRH]: What contribution do you feel Duran Duran has offered the music
industry over the past 32 years (since their formation in 1978)?
[LeClair]: A huge contribution which is still palpable today,and a pretty
diverse one musically speaking. They've managed to record 12 totally different
albums,reinventing their sound and creating something new every single
time,which is not an easy task. I mean,in the mid eighties,Duran was the
biggest band in the world, and instead of repeating the same safe recipe that
made them rich & famous,these music lovers went for exploring new musical
territories,and taking risks (and I take my hat off to them for having the
balls to do that and succeeding so well in doing it).
Many kids today like the band's earlier stuff and don't give a sh** about the
videos,the image,or whatever. They just like Duran’s music because these are
great pop songs that have aged very well...and by the way (& coming from a
musician’s point of view),playing some of Duran’s material is harder than many
people would think (I even saw Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl admitting that on
youtube lately). Some of their songs have complex structures and unusual chord
progressions,and feature ambitious bass lines,virtuoso guitar playing (the
Cuccurullo years),unorthodox creative synth work,and pretty high perched
vocals.
They influenced a lot of other artists in the eighties,and still do today. I
mean,without Duran, bands like The Killers,Franz Ferdinand,The
Bravery,Keane,White Lies,just to name a few of them,would certainly sound very
different.
[Kirk, DDTTRH]: What is your favorite Duran Duran video and song?
[LeClair]: Now that is a very hard one to answer,and honestly I can't just name
one of them (that would be like asking me for only one great Beatles or Bowie
song,when we both know they got plenty of great songs)...so I'll give you,let's
say...2 favourite videos (I don’t care that much about videos anyway),and 5
fave songs. That is the shortest number I can give you from such a diverse and
rich catalogue.
Songs: 1. Ordinary World (they should be inducted in the Hall Of Fame just for
writing this one,it is one of the best ballads ever written).
2.The Chauffeur : Because this one doesn't sound like any other songs ever
made,which is rare. I adore the infectious ocarina melody in The Chauffeur, and
30 years later,the song has kept every single cell of its uniqueness and
appeal. Like most of their songs,The Chauffeur has brilliantly stood the test
of time.
3. Come Undone : There is something comforting in the beautiful melody of this
one. Perfect bittersweetness and melancholy. And from a songwriter/producer
point of view ,Come Undone might be the only song featuring that overused drum
loop of the 90’s that still sounds fresh today. One of their best melodies
ever.
4. Skin Trade (album version,not the single edit) : To me,this is one of
Duran’s musical peak. A Prince/Stones influenced black track that I absolutelly
love. The structure of the song,the chords,and of course that amazing trumpet
solo during the bridge...I mean,this really is music man! Produced by funk
master Nile Rodgers and taken from one of my favourite D2 albums. Another quite
unique song from The Fab 3 (then).
5.Lady Xanax : Duran has many musical faces,and the one I love the most,
obviously considering my choices, is that rich, darker,intellectual one. Lady
Xanax is a good example how rich and how far musically Duran can go. This could
almost be a Pink Floyd or Radiohead song. Nothing commercial or pop in this
one. A less known gem taken from the alternative/glam Pop Trash album.
Bonus Track (lol)Save A Prayer (album version,again not the single edit) :
Masters of melody since the beginning. I love the intro,the bass line,the whole
ambiance of it really...a true eighties classic, and always a special moment
during a Duran live show.
Favorite videos: 1.Girls On Film (uncensored) : I just happen to love ice...a
lot.2.Perfect Day : I like the colors and textures of this one,it is visually
stunning. I love the flower throwing thing contrasting with the words “destroy”
and “hate”. (not to mention that they did an amazing job covering Lou Reed).
[Kirk, DDTTRH]: Has Duran Duran inspired you as a singer/songwriter? Tell us
how!
[LeClair]: Their pop sensibility,and well crafted melodies certainly influenced
me, like many other artists that I love who succeeded in creating something new
& unique: Prince,Peter Gabriel,Radiohead,David Sylvian,David Bowie,The
Velvet Underground,The Police,The Beatles,The Stones,Massive Attack,Daniel
Lanois,U2,Björk,etcetera.[DDTTRH]: What are your plans for the future…anything
you would like to share?[LeClair]: Well...one of my older songs “New York In
Smoke” was released a couple of months ago on itunes and other online music
stores. I’m planning on putting many other tracks out there,and hopefully end
up with a few albums of original material...I sure have plenty of diverse
material that needs mixing and mastering since I’ve been doing this for many
years. Music is my life! I’ll also keep supporting Amnesty International,Peta
& other animal rights group,The One Campaign,and such. Trying to make this
world a better place is important to me. As a citizen of this planet,I feel it
is my responsibility to try to do something against injustice of any kind.
..oh,and getting that band from Birmingham into the rock n roll hall of fame
,of course. ;.)
Thanks Kirk,answering your questions was a real treat.
To hear Stephane’s music (and a message Simon Le Bon left on his machine when
he did remixes for the band in the past), join his brand new page on facebook :
http://www.facebook.com/pages/LeClair/18951943148
Or visit his Myspace page:
www.myspace.com/stephaneleclair
DDTTRH is now DDATRH! Please follow DDATRH on Twitter! @DDATRH
No comments:
Post a Comment