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Jeremy Williams-Chalmers
Arts Correspondent
@jeremydwilliams
8:00 PM 27th May 2016
arts

Interview: Vincent Niclo

 
Romantiques is your latest album, tell us about the recording of the album...

The recording sessions were from April to November. It was in both Paris and London, as I was doing promotion over there and so I recorded in both places.

Mike Hedges did the recording and producing, and we recorded in many different studios - Abbey Road and Air. It was great as he made some really clever arrangements. They were so symphonic. That was direction I wanted.

I wanted it to be very classical but with modern arrangements. I hope we have succeeded.

It sounds like you had a very clear sound in mind for the album. How much creative control do you have?

I had the chance for the artistic part to be by myself. I give a lot of credit to Mike as I think the sound we have in France is very different to what you can have over here. He knows better than anyone what the best sound is for me. I like to be directed and he directed me that way.

Is there one song on the album that was your favourite to record?

It's hard to say as I love all of them. I really like La Vie En Rose as that is the typical French romantic love song. It is a core part of the album. If you listen to it, I want it to make you want a love affair, or to just continue the one you have. That song is such a journey. It had to be on the album.





Your career has been diverse, but successful in all aspects. Has your ambition altered over time?

To take you back to the beginning, I was actually really famous for musicals in France. I had the chance to do Gone With The Wind, West Side Story, Beauty and The Beast and more.

After that a record company offered me the chance to do an album, but they wanted me to do pop. I didn't really want to do that, but I listened to them. I did it and it didn't work. I thought if I got a chance to do a second, I'd want to do the music I appreciate. I wanted it to be between pop and opera, but my vision of it.

I had the opportunity in 2012 and thank God it worked very well. What I do today is my own vision. It is born in who I am and what I like. It is not a marketing target or solution, it is really me.

Success has brought notoriety. Does that bring additional pressures?

I don't call this a job. It is my passion and I am lucky to live from my passion. For me being famous or having success, I wasn't looking for it. I just want to do what I am passionate about.

I noticed that when you have success, doors open very easily. It is easy to work with the best people and that is all I remember of being famous. It is not a target for me. I just want to keep doing my passion. It helps to be known.

Through the years, you have recorded some amazing duets. Which has been the highlight?

I was dreaming of doing a duet with Charlotte Navroux and we did it. Anggun also.

don't do duets for marketing or for any strategic reason. If I had the chance to, there are so many people I would like to duet with. As long as they have a strong voice or powerful emotion, I am ready to record. I like the power of the voice, whether spoken or sung, it can go straight to your heart.

I hope that when I sing, my voice gives something special to people. As long as people I duet with have that power, then I am happy.

Which artist would you say has been the biggest influence on your career?

Luciano Pavarotti for sure. It was a shock for me when I was 14 and listened to Nessum Dorma. I cried. It changed my life. From that day I took classical lessons. He is someone very special for me.

I also like Shirley Bassey. She has something in her voice that gives me emotion. She has a strong, amazing voice.

Lastly, if you could revisit your younger self with some advice, what would it be?

I would say to that boy, please keep on believing in your dreams. Never stop. Maybe it will come late, but it will come. Believe in yourself. Don't lie to yourself. Make your choices with your heart and follow your own way.