Thomas Dutronc releases “It’s never too late”, a new album which lives up to its name since more than 9 years have passed since the previous one.
From his mother Françoise Hardy, Thomas Dutronc inherited kindness and an elegance that could be described as modest. From his dad Jacques Dutronc, he received the codes of the perfect nonchalant playboy and the pair of Ray-Ban Aviator glasses that go with it. As a musician, on the other hand, he developed on his own by learning gypsy guitar chords in the jazz clubs of Paris. After the tour bringing together father and son, the cover album “Frenchy” recorded with a cohort of stars (Iggy Pop, Diana Krall, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top) and long intimate moments spent at the bedside of Françoise Hardy, he returns with the very pretty “It’s never too late”, first album of original songs since “Eternals, until tomorrow” (2015).
Restorative laughter
So, it’s never too late for what? To love, forgive, enjoy your freedom and many other things. This is the message of these titles written over the last nine years with his old friend David Chiron. Thomas Dutronc, 51, lists the simple joys of everyday life, evokes unwavering friendships, returns with sober words about breakups that hurt and restorative laughter. Boosted French song with positive waves which stands out for its instrumental richness. And no, you won’t find a tribute to Françoise Hardy there. ”The record was built before his death. I needed to create my own space, with silence, oxygen and freedom.” When we spoke to you about modesty…
Taking nine years to write a new album also allows you to see if the songs age well and hold up?
THOMAS DUTRONC – The real trigger was that after having had so much fun carrying out all these side projects, I wanted to get back on stage with my own songs. For the older ones, we can actually take a step back, rewrite verses, enrich with a guitar solo… We are necessarily less in a hurry. I also added two recent songs, Katmandou and Marie-Lou. They are lighter, more comical. I didn’t want to be too serious either.
There is no social criticism, no negativity in this album. It’s rare these days, right?
In Belgium, I think you still keep your humor to overcome all this. But in France, it’s over. No one can be fooled anymore. The left hates the right, the right hates the left, ethnic groups and social classes hate each other. These are no longer just insults, they are blows. It’s very violent. Even in the media, there is no longer room for debate or nuance. So as an artist, you can give yourself the right to escape this reality and make songs that remind you of values that are stupid but feel good.
There is a lot of talk about friendship in your songs. At the end of the day, your best friend is your guitar?
Of course, having music in your life is a great opportunity. When you’re lost, you can hold on to the guitar and escape. I’m not going to say that I’m like Paco de Lucia who needed to live facing the sea to play it, but still… Over time, I realize that I like to pick up the guitar when I’m in nature, a little quiet, and put myself to “dialogue” with her. They say “play an instrument”. It’s true, there’s something playful about it and I need it. It’s a good drug.
Thomas Dutronc – album “It’s never too late”
Do you still perform under a false name in jazz clubs, just for fun?
Yes, it allows me to test my abilities as a musician and to remember why I do this job. Play a 10-minute blues standard, relearn the grids But Not For Me by Chet Baker, jamming with friends… Damn, it’s beautiful! There is no issue. I feel less “monitored”. I can also introduce such moments into my concerts, but it’s more complicated.
What did you learn during the Dutronc & Dutronc tour?
I was a musician but also a conductor. I had to learn to deal with everyone’s personalities, including my father’s. It’s also the first time I played in very large venues. I had as much fun playing my father’s very rock and roll songs as I did being on stage with him with my own repertoire. Ultimately, this tour made me a better singer and a better musician. As sons, it was the joy of spending even more time together.
You told us that you had written songs that could be found on a new album by your father. What about it?
There are songs that would suit him very well, but I want it to come from him. It would be very beautiful, but I don’t want to force it anymore. There, I will exist by myself.
7/5, Royal Theater, Mons.
Thomas Dutronc It’s never too late Universal
