French synth pop with a pop culture wink, meet 22 22
PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO US WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH YOU AND YOUR MUSIC AND TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.
22 22 is an electronic project led by an independent French producer based in Paris. I have about 20 years’ experience in the music circus: from my beginnings as a hip-hop singer to the pop-electro music producer I am today. Since 2000, I produced beats for many hip-hop artists and crew. In parallel, I tried to develop my style through sound design and jingles creation for radio stations such as the On Air TV-Radio. I have also worked with different groups and labels based in Paris, Stockholm, Atlanta and New York.
22 22 is known as the angel number meaning peace and harmony supporting humanity when the universe is testing our ability to respond to challenges be they climate change, racism, women harassment. 22 22 believes in the Forces of the Universe sending us signs to accomplish something bigger than us: « We’re making funk-pop, engaged music »
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR NEW ALBUM OR SINGLE?
“The Mood” is the first single. With energetic Electro-Funk music and a Pop-Culture wink, 22 22 focuses on the situation of women victims of domestic violence. Are the listening number 3919 and the various emergency numbers (17, etc.) the correct answers? 22 22 wonders. This clip is meant to "stir us in our armchairs" and to launch an SOS given the situation. Would the right answer be to hope for the Hollywood arrival of a group of super female heroes and beyond to apply the law of retaliation so that fear changes sides?
WHAT INSPIRED THE ALBUM OR SINGLE?
On one hand, I have been reading about mysticism (The Alchemist, sufi, etc.) and I have been always attracted by signs related to it, on the other I have always felt concerned with the different debates across our society be they climate change, racism, women harassment.
At some stage, I came across the 22 22 legend and I decided to go for it in order to make funk-pop, engaged music.
CAN YOU SUM UP THE ALBUM IN A FEW WORDS?
I am working on an album of 12 tracks named “The Angel Number” ready for the mixing step.
The album is a collection of energic tracks in an Electro Pop Funk Mood. (Future Funk)
WHAT RECORD CHANGED YOUR LIFE AND WHY?
Bob Marley – Zimbabwe
An artist & a song which crosses time & generations up to becoming a national anthem. This is music with a goal.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE MUSIC VIDEO FILMED BY YOUR BAND OR ANOTHER ARTIST?
I’m so proud of our 1st video Clip. We made it without budget & the goal was to be engaged in the problem of domestic violence.
WHAT WOULD WE FIND YOU DOING WHEN YOU'RE NOT MAKING MUSIC?
Playing tennis basketball, watching movies, manga anime, reading
DO YOU GET NERVOUS PERFORMING LIVE, IF SO HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THAT?
Performing live may be stressful but I look at it as positive stress.
For me as a football fan, it’s like shooting a penalty at the World Cup: is it stressful? Yes, but it is also the reason that motivates me to make music.
HOW DID YOU FORM THE BAND?
I worked a long time for other artists, labels… It was a wonderful experience of many years but i felt like something was missing. I couldn’t express all my inspiration. That was very frustrating!
Right now, 22 22 is a one-man Project at the moment. Yet I do still believe in collaborations with other artists, musicians, djs or writers. Sky is the limit!
HOW DO YOU WRITE? - DO YOU HAVE A KEY SONGWRITER, OR DO YOU ALL WORK TOGETHER?
It depends. Sometimes I co-write a song. Other times, the singer does the job. I am a composer, I focus on the music side.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
It’s always a mystic adventure to get the phone number of your inspiration.
I always record on my phone any idea that comes to me at any time, in the subway, at night, in a café, etc.
For instance, it could be the sound of the high heels of a lady walking that could lead to a special rhythm.
When I go to my studio, I try to translate all my notes and recordings in a melody sometimes successfully and sometimes not.
WHAT IS NEXT?
I am working on an album of 12 tracks named “The Angel Number” ready for the mixing step.
My only plan is to develop audience for this project. I tried to focus on that point & to get help from anywhere …. Here’s the link of my first single with the video clip: