Clermont-Ferrand, Auvergne. 7:30 a.m. from Brussels, the musical history of Jules Garnier came to life through the guitar and the writing of poems at the age of 12-13. A terrible family tragedy occurred at this time with the death of his father. In order to tell his sorrow, The Dougstage name taken from an English class, uses the rap. He waited until the age of 16-17 to release his first lyrics… always with his guitar.
From rap to French song
The 22-year-old is experiencing a meteoric rise. His audience award Spring of Bourges in 2020 constitutes a real launching pad. In just over two years, he produced two EPs and an album. “My first EP Young The Doug allowed me to present my world. That of a guy coming from the pampas who raps and who at the same time offers slightly drier productions with guitars and melodies. The second Bad player defined my identity more precisely. I moved a little more towards singing,” begins the French artist.
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His first album, named Fix, has been available since Friday June 14. Thirteen titles cradle this opus which recounts his passage from the shadow to the light through strong themes. “I sing a lot. I talk about love in all its forms, the loss of people, getting high but with a touch of hope and, above all, with the desire that things will get better later.”
Exit rap, even if it still appears in bits and pieces. “In this album, the marker is well located. I rap sometimes but above all I am a singer and artist. What would be incredible would be to say that I’m doing The Doug. Where does my inspiration ? People around me, my experience, my sensitivities, the themes I want to address. This album is about trying to get out of myself all the things that have caused me or are making me suffer.”
Lively shows
Many Belgians, whom he considers “to detest”, are already familiar with the new phenomenon of the French scene since Jules Garnier has already performed in our kingdom around ten times: “My lyrics are never totally joyful. But I can’t do 25 depressing vocal guitar songs. The goal is also to do concerts. I sing, I’m here to offer entertainment to people. The challenge is also to make catchy songs with different themes. It has always been done, the best known being, as everyone knows, Stromae”.
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Without falling into complacency, The Doug therefore brings notes of cheerfulness to entertain its audience. His vocal range often compared to Alain Bashunghis sincerity to Orelsan and his madness on stage have already pleased many artists who have called on him to open for them. “This confidence shows that I no longer rap, my music can be really broad. Otherwise I would not have opened for Eddy de Pretto, Benjamin Biolay, Bernard Lavilliers, Louane or Manu Chao.” Go listen to this young gem whose music, as brutal as it is sharp, will come back to your face like a boomerang.
The Doug will soon be visiting us in Izel in the Province of Luxembourg (23/6), at the Francofolies de Spa (19/7) and at the Botanique in Brussels (26/9).
