“There have been much more militant albums. »
Since then, the success has continued. “The occupancy figures are better than during our strongest years. » In Angoulême, the concert is sold out. The effect of a new album “Tomorrow Perhaps”, less committed, more personal, based on “the ups and downs”, felt by Balik for two years. To be discovered live this Friday, November 22, at La Nef. Without a marriage proposal this time.
We are coming out of an American election won by Donald Trump. He is the opposite of the values you defend. What was your reaction?
Go back. Electing Donald Trump, someone out of control, as head of the United States, freaks me out a little. I was hooked on the radio at first but it's a problem that mainly concerns the United States. Now let's try to save our asses because this populist, hateful, angry speech will give ideas to our fascists.
Is making music a way to reassure yourself?
I don't make music to reassure myself. We take the pulse of society and we try to express points of view, without being too radical and becoming a personal forum. I try to make my stories stories that resonate with people.
But can music help?
When we go through a difficult period, we identify with anything that directly or indirectly affects what we feel. We feel like it was written for us.
What album has done you good lately?
I listen to “The Villain I Never was” by Black Sheriff a lot. The musicality, the flows, the mixes, I really like it.
In your new album, there is “Marie-Antoinette” and “lademocracy stammers”, two very committed songs, but we sense a more personal evolution.
There have been much more militant albums. It's not a choice in relation to the outside world but it corresponds to my current state of mind. There are times you need to focus on yourself, with ups and downs. But I still wanted to address the theme of the high cost of living – in Marie-Antoinette – which affects many people in France and elsewhere.
We always talk to you about your titles “Marley” and “Champ de Rose”, which are more than fifteen years old. Do you still like them?
Without these songs, many people would not have come to us. We've played them so much that it's an ordeal to prepare them in rehearsal. It's almost unbearable. But it’s still just as enjoyable to share it in concert. This is the moment when there is the most outpouring, the one that people are waiting for. They are part of us.
