Interview with The Great Alone

Answered by Murielle

Can you tell us about how The Great Alone came together and the journey you’ve been on as a band?
Vinc had been discussing a transition to more widely appealing music and the idea of starting a rock band for a while. At that point, he was involved with his metal band which he had established. One day, as I listened to him crafting a song, I was drawn to a captivating main riff. I approached him and requested to work with it. This marked the genesis of “Horizon,” with me composing its chorus and setting the wheels in motion for our musical journey. Then we continued working together until we had enough songs to enter the studio. Things unfolded naturally.

What inspired the themes explored in your debut album “Perception”?
I believe that inspiration is intimately connected to our state of mind and what we are going through at the time of composition. After writing a few lyrics, it became intriguing to explore emotions, introspection, and transform them into something delicate yet powerful at the same time.

Your music draws from a variety of genres – how do these different influences shape the sound and style of The Great Alone?
We indeed have diverse musical tastes that span from film scores to black metal, encompassing rock and pop. All these genres blend with our own identity and inevitably influence our music. I believe we’ve combined a certain power from metal with a more structured and accessible rock approach.

Balancing classic rock energy with experimental elements seems like a unique challenge. How do you approach merging these different musical elements?
It’s not a conscious process or a decision that is made to take a particular direction. Vincent composes the music as it comes to him; it’s usually a quite fluid process, and we arrange everything together before I compose the vocal melodies. We understand each other extremely well; for example, the fact that I don’t currently master any instrument other than singing is not an obstacle when we arrange a song together. I believe our two personalities blend musically well, giving rise to unexpected and/or surprising aspects for the audience.

What led to the decision to partner with Pavement Entertainment, and how has that partnership influenced the band’s direction?
Our manager introduced us to Pavement and the possibility of a partnership. We carefully considered and compared all the options available to us and decided to work with them. They are a well-established label with a good reputation and a way of working that aligns with what we are looking for. They introduced us to Powerman 5000, who chose us for their March tour, which is a significant opportunity for a group starting from scratch like us. Pavement also has a strong and reliable promotion network, which is exactly what a band needs to aspire to grow and become known.

With an upcoming tour alongside Powerman 5000 and September Mourning, what can fans expect from your live performances?
When a bond forms between musicians, that’s when the music benefits the most. “Perception” is an album that conveys a certain energy, and that’s precisely what emerges from our rehearsals together. This energy emanating from the music amplifies during live performances, and combined with the group’s energy, it promises a mix of dynamism and good vibes that, hopefully, will allow us to win over the audience’s hearts.

Your album “Perception” explores themes of emotion and self-perception. Can you talk a bit about the lyrical content and what message you hope listeners take away?
I chose these themes without really choosing them. I believe that to maintain authenticity in music, one must allow for a certain spontaneity and follow one’s intention. Our perception of ourselves, others, and the world around us is an endless well. We could probably spend a lifetime trying to understand all of it. What’s interesting about these themes is that everyone can interpret them in their own way, and I think that contributes to connecting the listener to the music.

Incorporating electronic soundscapes into your music adds depth to your sound. How do you decide when and how to use these elements?
It has been part of our music from the very beginning because it helps to create a unique ambiance and atmosphere for each song. We’ve aimed to layer these sounds in a way that binds the instruments together and adds a touch of mystery and delicacy to the songs.

What were some hurdles you faced while making “Perception,” and how did you overcome them?
The main obstacle has been the pandemic, which ultimately turned out to be beneficial for the group. From the outset, we decided that we would only release music when we had a finished product from A to Z, meticulously crafted and considered in every aspect, both musically and visually. Additionally, we wanted to avoid releasing music hastily and then being unable to follow up due to the impact of covid. Surrounding oneself with the right people is also crucial for moving forward. Patience has therefore been the key to all of this, which hasn’t always been easy.

The name “The Great Alone” suggests a sense of independence. How does this concept reflect the band’s identity and music?
It’s a name that, much like our music, allows for individual interpretation. Ultimately, we present our identity, but people will perceive it in their own way. “The Great Alone” is a name that evokes individuality, the uniqueness of each person, the potential to achieve great things in solitude without advocating for isolation from others or egocentrism, as that wouldn’t be very constructive. In essence, one could summarize this name as a metaphor for introspection or an invitation to introspection.

Are there any specific artists or bands that have had a big influence on The Great Alone’s sound?
When we were composing “Perception,” we listened to a lot of film scores, nordic artists, and progressive rock. These are likely the direct influences that can be perceived in this album. We can name A Perfect Circle, Eivør, Soen, Muse, Hans Zimmer.

Looking ahead, where do you see the band going in the future?
For now, “Perception” is being well received, and we hope that the tour with Powerman 5000 will be beneficial for the group and help us start gaining attention. What I can say is that we would like to build a stable fanbase that would allow us to headline our own concerts within a few years.