mademoiselle lou Highlights the Importance of the Arts (Interview)

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France has produced a variety of talented musicians over the years, from the creative dance music of Daft Punk to recent stars in the rap scene like Tiakola. mademoiselle lou however, is of the R’n’B variety, following in the footsteps of influences internationally and closer to home.

This singer has the ability to take you into her world, painting vivid pictures instrumentally and with her words. Her very personal and atmospheric sound is garnering a growing audience and has led to shows in France’s biggest cities and Belgium.

mademoiselle lou is only going to get more known having released a trio of EPs this year with ‘LES OMBRES‘, ‘LA VAGUE‘, and ‘VIVRE‘. In this interview, she discusses how she creates the right setting to make her music and why art plays an important part in her project covers.

What has made you so productive and want to give your thoughts to your listeners in 2024?

I wanted to share (my) hard work because music is very difficult for all artists. We had to change some parts of my music because it was very nostalgic. We tried to add a little bit of light to it. (laughs)

What keeps me focused is my team. I’m very (hard)working for my team because I think that is not only a job for me but it’s a job for everyone who is working with me. That is my motivation. Also, I wanted to share my feelings because I think people need to know their not alone and I feel not alone with them.

What were some of the songs or albums that influenced your musical direction?

I listened a lot to Adé in the past, Lana Del Rey; other big French artists like Booba. SCH is a really great artist in France too. I appreciate the text that they wrote and the production. I’m really inspired by them. Also, Adele (with) the piano and (her) voice with (tracks) like ‘Someone Like You‘.

Adele has had a massive impact on a lot of people so I can see that.

Yeah, in France too. (When) I started making music, I was making covers of Adele (on) my little piano.

What I noticed about your music is there is a real atmosphere to it and the listener is right there with you. What is the process to get into the right headspace when you’re in the studio?

I have to be alone because I’m a little bit stressed when people are around. I don’t think that it is good for me to be with a lot of people; a lot of sounds; a lot of shouts. Atmosphere is very particular and I have to be alone to make it right. I listen to beats and then I’m inspired. But, lyrics come with the beat. It is like therapy.

You can just listen to your music and tell it is very personal. So, I understand why you want to be with yourself, just focusing.

I’m a very lonely person. I think I put it (across) in my songs.

You produce, as well as write and sing. When you’re making music, what part of the process do you do first?

(The) first thing is (I) hear a lot of production. Then, I just try to find the beat that inspires me and (then start) writing.

What is a concert or live event that has impacted your own performance style?

I think it’s Les Ardentes that I (went) last year because I was there the year before, but in the public. Then, last year, I was singing on stage and this was completely different because of the people. Festivals are an event where you can share music to people who don’t know you, which is very scary. (laughs)

But, I really like live (music) and it changes something in me. I was like, ‘Oh wow. These people are here for me and to hear my music and to share their energies. I have to give my best for them.’. I’m trying to make it like a family. Only good vibes, but with a little bit of shyness. (laughs)

Is there any artist that you have seen live that has impacted how you perform?

Maybe, Bianca Costa who is a friend of mine and a singer too. I came to her live show last year and her energy was so lit. I was impressed and (said to myself), ‘I have to make the same impression for my audience and make good shows to share what I want.’.

What do you look for in a collaboration and do you look for somebody to bring something different to the table?

No, I think it is more to complement what is already there. I don’t want to change the universe of the artists that I invite on my project. The artists that I invited were artists that I heard their music and I loved their music. So, I don’t wanna change them, I want to make something with them. It’s not always in their universe, it is a mix and I really like it.

There is no point trying to make someone fit in because you want to collaborate with that artist or they are big. It’s got to fit because listeners will notice.

Also, we made the collaboration at the same studio, we don’t make it over distance. I think the energy is here on every sound.

In some instances, you have to record in different places because of where someone is. When you are with that person in the studio you can have a back and forth to say, ‘Maybe you can do this, maybe you can do that.’.

Exactly, you can add everything and change everything. That is music, we are better and the collaboration makes us better together.

Having seen the video for ‘ÇA TIRE‘ and noticed your sampling of Swan Lake on the song ‘LES CYGNES‘, I realised you have an eye for art in general. Do you ever see yourself going into forms of art outside of music?

Yes. I really want to because art is beautiful and we have to link it up, like with the videos as cinema. The covers of my projects are paintings. I want to make it artistic; we need to link up everything. Also, it is interesting because in France people are very lazy, they don’t want to learn. (laughs)

Same over here to be honest.

(laughs) It’s worldwide. I think it is very important to cultivate something.

Maybe, (I will go into) cinema, but I don’t really know.

What are some other French artists you think deserve attention?

I think you’ll already know Aya Nakamura. She’s known worldwide; she deserves the light that she has got (on her music). There are a lot of artists in France that are coming up like Asinine (who) is a female artist. We have to show (female artists) to the world.

The labels or managers need to give women autonomy over what they want to do. Look at RAYE for example. She has been allowed to make the music she wants and has won the most BRIT Awards in history in one night. Whoever was the head of that record label was an idiot.

But, the problem (here) is the industry. Artists are considered like projects and not humans or even not considered (at all).

What advice would you give to up-and-coming artists?

The best advice I can give is to find a good team because it is everything. You are the artist, you are singing, making your music, living your dream; and everything, but it’s not possible without people around you. You have to pick the best for you and also be honest (and) transparent. Communication is the most important to me.

Those sound important because making music has so many different parts to it.

Yeah, you have to have supportive friends, supportive family; and your team is your family. You see more of your team than your family, so you have to be with supportive people. Music is hard, it is very long; it can end at any moment. But, you have to have some peace (around you).

You need the right people around you because everything needs to work just the way you want it to and it needs to flow. Also, you need to know who you want to trust.

And you have to be productive and professional before everything.

Exactly, it is your job at the end of the day. You’ve got to work hard and be on it; just push yourself to a reasonable limit and keep going.

As you were saying with trust it is really important because your music is very personal. You don’t want the wrong people in the studio.

I always take care with that; I am always careful. That is my advice.

mademoiselle lou is on Instagram, X, and TikTok. Stream her latest project ‘VIVRE‘ below and read more interviews here.

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