Flakes are a disco-funk indie band based in Toulouse, consisting of members Joris Le Dantec (Singer/Songwriter/Composer), Dorian Dutech (Guitarist/Composer), Hugo Brun (Keyboards), Romain Vignaux (Bass) and Pablo Echarri (Drums). In this conversation, I caught up with the band to discuss their latest single 'Keep Going' and their favourite French artists and musicians.
Hi Flakes, could you tell us a bit about yourself?
We are a French boy band looking for a dance hall to unleash our glitter music.
How did you guys meet and form the band?
We were all born in the south of France, where the sun warms hearts. We met in Toulouse during jam sessions and while bumping into each other at music school. The musician network in Toulouse is quite small and helps to make great connections. We have all had a lot of experiences in various bands (jazz, rock, hip-hop, funk) and it is the desire to make people feel good music to dance to that brought us together.
How would you describe your music?
We love the disco-funk-pop flames of Parcels, Jamiroquai, Phoenix and Daft Punk (vintage year 2013 Random Access Memories), we like to call our style “glitter music”, a mix of 70's 80's and modern influences against a backdrop of mirror balls, dance floors and sequined shirts.
You recently released your debut single ‘Keep Going’ that blends Daft-Punk-esque production with the classic disco-funk riff. How did you initially come up with the idea for the song?
We wanted to write a very bright song with just three chords. The idea was to have a punchy and straightforward track that immediately invites you to dance. At first it was designed for a power-trio without keyboards. Then, Dorian had the idea of adding vocoder through the guitar which allows it to be done live as with a talk-box. The desire to make a single was already in our heads.
When you write music do you collaboratively work together as a band, or do you all have designated roles within the band?
On the future EP it was Joris the singer who wrote all the lyrics and created the melodies. He was also at the basis of some compositions, but most of the time it's Dorian, the guitarist who composes and Joris finds the melodies and the lyrics. Then we polish all that with the rest of the band to find the sound and balance.
You are planning to release a 5 track EP that will be released in October 2021, what can you tell us about the upcoming EP?
For the recording we decided to do the best, calling Daniel Yvinec as producer. A guy who has already played with Maceo Parker, Salif Keita, Mark Murphy… and had a lot of experience as a producer (he was notably nominated for the Grammy Awards in 2011 for his work with the ONJ, the national orchestra of Jazz in France). It was the first time that we worked with a producer. It was a very enriching experience and it is clear that our EP would have had a completely different color without him. He helps us to keep the best, change some lyrics or song structure and find some “hooks”.
We discussed a lot with him upstream to define our music and where we wanted to go together, shared playlists, and ended up spending a weekend in the bassist's parents' basement in the countryside near Toulouse, where we rehearsed. We are also grateful to Romain Clisson, the sound engineer at Durango Studio in Paris, who made up the second half of the dream team and helped us to have a sound; a touch, the Flakes touch!
If you could describe your upcoming EP in three words, what three words would you choose?
Glitter, Dancefloor and Fun!
Could you recommend your favourite French artists/musicians for our readers?
Of course, first we think about Phoenix, Justice and Daft Punk for the most famous, we're also fan of Flavien Berger, L'Impératrice, Breakbot, Miel de Montagne, Voyou, Polo & Pan and so many more!
What advice would you give to someone who may want to pursue a career in music?
You have to work every day, travel to open your mind, go out, meet other musicians, go to jam sessions, look for the right partners; it takes years and sometimes you can be exhausted and stop believing in it but you must never give up! The road is long and full of pitfalls but it's always worth it in the end.
What is the best advice you have received?
It was during the first coaching session, I understood that filming your stage performance is essential to realize what you really give and give off on the stage.
And finally, do you have a message for your fans?
Come see us live, that's where all our music makes sense!
Check out the music video for Flakes' recent single 'Keep Going' in the link above or hear the song in full on my Spotify featured artists playlist (link in bio).