Pale Grey are a dream-pop/indietronica trio from Liège, Belgium. They released their first EP in 2011, Put Some Colors, and went on to release Best Friends in 2013. After a host of successful festival appearances, their 2017 release Waves has been met with excitement by critics and fans alike, and the trio have been hard at work promoting the new release on the road. They are scheduled to play at Eurosonic Festival 2018 alongside acts like Rone, Sigrid, Högni, Husky Loops and AU/RA. They have also been nominated for a D6bels-Rtbf Music Award, in the category of Best Group.
We chat to them about Jonny Greenwood films, and learn the meaning of the word autodidact.
What are the 5 albums that have influenced you the most?
Pedro The Lion -> Control (first love)
Why? -> Alopecia (because it was a dare)
The Notwist -> Close to The Glass (because of their subtlety)
Unknown Mortal Orchestra -> Multi-Love (because of the melody)
Gorillaz -> Demon Days (because of the mix of different music)
What techniques do you experiment with to form your sound?
We use sampling in a lot of our productions. When we are visiting other artists work, that gives us new ideas and perception. We then start to create each song differently. We are autodidacts (Ed’s note: self-taught) so we base ourselves on our ears, and mainly on our feelings.
Are there any key pieces of equipment that you can’t live without?
Computer. This tool can bring you whatever you want.
What are some of your key influences in your music? Whether it be the sound created by others, imagery, films or any kind of art form.
Movies of course, with Hans Zimmer or Jonny Greenwood. We also love photography. I think a good song give you pictures. When I compose I see images like those of Joel Meyerowitz or René Magritte.
Jean Michel Jarre said “Music is the human treatment of sounds.” How do you interpret this?
We are not creating the sound around us. We are dealing with the most creative way we can.
What has been a memorable highlight in your career so far?
Our first tour. The first time we travelled to shared our music.
If you could work with, or perform alongside any artist of your choice, who would it be?
Someone like Damon Albarn or Beck. They take time to include/understand their environment in a modern way.
If you weren’t a musician what would you be?
Anything, it just has to be creative. But if I have to choose, why not a baker!
Follow Pale Grey on Facebook // Twitter // Bandcamp and vote for them at D6bels-Rtbf Music Awards here as of January 2nd.
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