In Conversation With: Charonne
The duo is releasing their first LP ‘Innervoice’ this year - we take on the occasion to ask a few questions about the record, as well as their recent endevours and projects
One thing I always loved so much about the productions of Charonne is the myriad of influences you’ll find in their music, making sure you’ll never know what to expect from the next track in a record. From the dark house shades of their Partisan release ‘Reflexion Perception Distortion’, the playful tones of the Lowmoneymusiclove released ‘Life Is A Limbo Dance’, and the variety of moods released on their own Rakya imprint, the duo presents a signature style on different frames of minds and genres with a signature disposition. As fresh as only French electronic music manages to be - Charonne’s music accurately hits that retrofuturistic aesthetic which the current underground scene is creatively flourishing on: creatively well-produced and delightfully sound-designed while at the same being unapologetically fun.
This intro should give you an idea of how excited we got this year when we learned Charonne was about to release their first full-length album - and of course, this had to be done on Rakya Records. ‘Innervoice’ delivers an even wider scope of the duo’s music and stylistic nuances: this release explores a vast amount of tempos and moods, going from the signature Charonne house and techno freshness to atmospheric downtempo suspensions, disco-leaning grooves and even fast drum and bass breakbeats. Overall the record is very melodic and we feel like it puts a particular emphasis on harmonic composition rather than being strictly dance-floor focused - at the same time, most of these tracks will surely deliver when played at the right time in a DJ set.
Thanks to the Automatic Writing team we were lucky enough to manage to get in touch with Charonne right by the time ‘Innervoice’ was about to come out - we took on the occasion to ask the duo about the record’s concept and influences, as well as some of their other recent endeavours to give you a full idea of what are they about and their recent projects.
Hey guys!! Thank you so much for the availability, we are huge fans of your work and very happy to host you for an interview on Guerrilla Bizarre.
You are about to publish your first LP ever, ‘Innervoice’, on Rakya. Where did the idea of a full length come from?
I guess it was always in the back of our head. Some tracks were produced and felt like they belonged in an LP where we’d have time to tell a story, rather than a four tracker. Then when the pandemic arrived, we rediscovered those tracks and had time to compose more personal stuff. We really wanted to make a coherent journey, with a beginning and an end.
What’s the record’s concept and why did you choose the name ‘Innervoice’?
To tell you the truth it was going to be another title but a week before we unveil the artwork, an EP came out with that title. It was fate because ‘Innervoice’ represents way better the idea of this album. It’s the intimate voice you have inside that drives you, and is a reflection of our deepest thoughts. It resonates with the use of vocals throughout the LP. Some of which we wrote, and some are from our good and talented friend BadBadTati.
We hear a lot of different styles blended together into something fresh on this record. 80s funk, fresh house, ravey breakbeat and even some 8-bit touches here and there. What were your major inspirations for the record? Did you have a precise idea of its direction when you started producing the tracks or did it come together while going?
It's never fully conscious. We often realize the inspirations after the track is made. I guess every type of music takes from what was made before, whether it’s conscious or not. For us, emotion is the key, every track tells a unique story. Whether it’s a melody or a general feeling, we find ourselves unsatisfied until a track has a clear personality. We couldn’t make DJ tools even if we tried…
“We often realize the inspirations after the track is made. I guess every type of music takes from what was made before, whether it’s conscious or not. For us, emotion is the key, every track tells a unique story. “
Let’s talk about your recent output with other labels as well. In the latest Automatic Writing VA we loved your track ‘Fortune Telling’. Could you tell us more about your relationship with the label?
They are the first people we ever sent music to. We didn’t know them and sent them music. They instantly responded and we met to talk about what would be our first vinyl. They have been friends ever since.
What about the current French scene more in general? You also released a track with Forest Ill which is releasing one fire record after the other - there’s a certain retro-futuristic house/breaks sound around which feels yet to be properly categorized. Do you feel that you are part of a precise local or international new underground, or are these just categories set by press and media?
The Forest Ill crew is also an important encounter in our lives. We were instantly touched by their music. They have a very refreshing approach to electronic music as producers and label owners, and they have a desire to kick things around. We kind of reached a point where tracks were a bit going in circles and there was a need for that. It’s exciting, we respect each other a lot and push each other to do better. I guess even inside the crew we want to impress each other and it’s a virtuous circle.
We also really loved your latest mix for LowMoneyMusicMix. How did this year change the way you dig for music and mix, if it did at all? What about your approach to producing?
Yeah we had a lot of fun putting together this mix. It’s funkier and a bit more chill. I guess with everything closed and not playing at big parties made us collect music in that sense. As for producing, what changed is the time we had. We could go back to a track and make it sound just right.
“I guess the whole “essential” “non-essential” terms were a bit harsh on everyone. But the need to connect and dance with people you don’t know is still very present. It’s vital to some. “
Apart from the oddness of the last year and the current state of things, we would also like to know what’s your prospect of the coming times, particularly in regards to the clubs' environment? What’s your outlook of things to come?
It’s hard to say what’s coming. In France more than a third of clubs went bankrupt this year. I guess the whole “essential” “non-essential” terms were a bit harsh on everyone. But the need to connect and dance with people you don’t know is still very present. It’s vital to some. We’re sure new ideas will emerge and people will come out stronger!
