Adding one more string to her exceptionally smart bow, last month young Alma released her debut single Games, with her ethereal band Burning Peacocks. We catch up with Paris’s Belle de Jour to talk about Bowie, Beach House and the beauty of music.
How did Burning Peacocks first come about?
We started the band almost 3 years ago. David and I were friends and at the beginning we started to write songs just for fun, in his bedroom with a guitar and a little keyboard… We started to take it more seriously about a year ago when Pierre Guimard from our label Choke Industry asked us if we wanted to try recording a few songs in his studio in Paris.
What is the story behind the name?
Burning Peacocks was the first name of My Bloody Valentine, a band that came back a lot when we were talking about our influences… It was like a tribute to them. We also liked the mysticism and the grace of this animal.
How would you describe your sound?
Something dreamy, aerial but with a groovy bass.
Who are your biggest musical influences?
Mostly Air, Broadcast and Beach House. And David Bowie.
What were your favourite bands growing up?
I was a big fan of Jennifer Lopez and Destiny’s Child when I was a kid! And then I discovered Nirvana and the Velvet Underground when I was 12.
Which do you feel greater affinity with music or acting?
I love to do both. Music has always been part of my world as much as acting. I just never took it as seriously before. But now that I do both I don’t think I could choose.
How does performing in your band differ from performing on set as an actress?
It’s very different because when you go on stage with your band it’s you and your words, your music. You are not hidden under a character: you have to stand for what you have to say and play.
Are there any plans to combine the two?
I would love to! Composing a whole soundtrack would be an amazing experience too.
What are you listening to right now?
Mac Demarco and a lot of Etta James.
What’s the story behind the music video for Games and how much creative input did you have?
It was directed by a young talented director named Agathe Riedinger. We had other propositions before hers but we fell in love with the poetic violence of her script. We thought her imaginary really fitted with ours and we automatically get along. I didn’t had a lot of input because we wanted it to be a real collaboration with an artist who interprets our music. But I wrote our next music video and I’m the one who is going to direct it.
If you could be in a band with anybody, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
David Bowie! Because he’s god.
What’s next?
We are playing in this magical venue in Paris named the Trianon on November 23rd. We are very excited! After that we will shoot our second music video for the track Avril. And we can’t wait to go back in the studios in January to record the album!
Credits
Text Tish Weinstock