The Quebec duo Gustafson had a unique experience this week by opening for the legendary Alain Souchon for two evenings at the Casino de Paris. We spoke to its two members on Tuesday, after a first performance which clearly electrified them.
Published at 7:00 a.m.
With red cheeks and disheveled hair, Jean-Philippe Perras and Adrien Bletton appear on the screen. They’ve barely come off stage.
“We just had a good heatstroke! », says Adrien. And how did it go? ” GOOD ! », exclaims Jean-Philippe. The tandem played five songs, in front of a surprisingly attentive audience. “It’s not us they came to see… reminds Adrien. But we even made them sing, on Chrysanthemums. »
It’s no coincidence that Gustafson found himself there… but almost. One of the songs from his new album Smile to the angels is titled Full sentimentaldirect reference to Sentimental crowdSouchon’s famous song released in 1993. During production, the duo surveyed the singer’s team to find out if he wanted to make an appearance in the song or the music video.
Excerpt from Full sentimental
“We threw a pole and said: we’ll see,” says Adrien. They acknowledged receipt, thanked us and said they were very touched, but it remained like that. Then, a few weeks ago, they came back and said: “We’re looking for a support act for two dates, do the Gustafsons want to come?” »
Playing in Europe for an artist of this stature, whose career is immense and whose influence on French-speaking song is undeniable, is something of a dream come true, says Jean-Philippe.
“It’s huge! We’ve been making music together since 2010, we’ve been on our own journey. And there, take the plane with our instruments to come play our songs, and start the show by saying: “Good evening, Paris”…”
“You saw, I did it!” », Interrupts Adrien.
“Yes, and I got chills! »
They smile, complicit and aware that it’s all a bit surreal.
You must not be in the ego. We are here with humility and admiration. Just before starting, I said to myself: this is absurd, all that for 20 minutes! Absurd in the sense that life really is absurd sometimes. And grandiose at the same time.
Jean-Philippe Perras
Make more room for music
The two musicians are delighted with the welcome they received, both from the technical team and from the singer himself, who has just started this new tour accompanied by his two sons, Ours and Pierre Souchon . “Adorable, kind, humble, accessible, super friendly”, he came to greet them in the dressing room and ask them if everything was okay.
“We arrive, and they know who we are, they remember why we are there,” explains Adrien. All this is all the more exceptional since their first job is to be actors, we remind them. Adrien more or less agrees. “I have never prioritized my professions. The two have lived together forever. » What has changed is that they have managed to “tear apart” their agendas to make more room for music.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Jean-Philippe Perras and Adrien Bletton, in the streets of Montreal
“The acting profession is a profession where we are called upon, whereas music has always been done by impulse and spontaneity,” explains Jean-Philippe. But what’s happening there is because Adrien, at one point, he said: we’re going to make a second album, and we have to put it on the agenda. It bears fruit in many ways, and it means that we are here today in Paris, and that we will be there tomorrow! »
With Souchon at the Francos of Montreal?
As he left the stage, Jean-Philippe humorously said to the Souchon team: “Okay, are we off for life? »
“I tried!” » He laughs. “They didn’t say no!” » Nor yes either… The two musicians have also learned that the singer will come to Montreal as part of the Francos in June 2025. “It smells like something new! “, says Adrien, who says that while he was singing, he imagined her backstage analyzing their songs and saying to himself: “That’s not bad! »
“I wanted to ask him: “Do you like it, Mr. Souchon?” »
They laugh again apologizing for being so unruly. We tell them that it’s quite nice to see happy artists!
In our work, we do so much development, production, grant applications. An album is three years of canvassing. There, you catch us in the moment when we are happy, when we are projecting ourselves into the future. Where we are free.
Adrien Bletton
Gustafson returned to Montreal on Thursday. The musicians are currently working on the design of a theater show – Pride and prejudiceat the Théâtre Denise-Pelletier –, have shows planned over the coming months and hope to make a real return to Montreal in the spring. “We are aiming for as many shows as possible next year. »
After this joyful discussion, it’s time to let go. Will they be able to sleep? They look at each other again. “With the gap, young children, no choice! But with a smile of satisfaction. »
Visit the Gustafson website
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