During the past summer I spent a few months in France, and while I was there I took the chance to further explore the underground metal culture in the country. In the process I discovered Marseille nu metal group Digital Nova, whose hardcore tinged approach had me hooked on first listen. After returning to the UK, I got in touch with bassist Mathieu Dubois and vocalist François Le Goazigo to talk about their last album Orphelins (read the album review here) and how life is for the band right now.
Digital Nova released their new album, Orphelins, last year. How would you describe your band to people who may be unfamiliar with French heavy metal music? Who are your main influences?
This interview was originally conducted in French. To read the original French version, click here.
Mathieu: One would describe Digital Nova as a French rock/metal group, which whether through our origin or texts, always sings in French. Each member of the group has various influences, even if the common ground is very much rock. Our style is close to groups such as Korn, Deftones or Mass Hysteria musically, but also Lofofora or No One Is Innocent in terms of singing. None of this really counts for much in the end, as our influences express themselves and we do not try to copy certain groups
François: We developed along the lines of the rap metal that started in the early 90s with RATM (Rage Against the Machine), we like groove and musical unity with songs focussed on lyrics rather than melody, but we never stop there exploring more progressive, lighter or downright hardcore sounds.
Orphelins was your first album released with NFFP Records. How did working with a record label change your approach to writing and recording?
Mathieu: Quite honestly, signing to NFFP Records didn’t change our way of doing things at all. The label left us a blank cheque, whether for the composition or the production, we had the same approach as for Alpha/Omega. It’s very positive for us to feel that they trust us.
The more polished production on Orphelins saw you move away from your previous hardcore sound into a more nu-metal influenced territory. Was this an intentional move, or a natural evolution of the band’s sound?
Mathieu: I would say that it’s a natural evolution of the group’s sound but also of the group itself. We have a very instinctive way of composing music. Aside from tracks that were written by JB (Jean-Baptise Caysac, guitar) at his home, almost all of the album was written in the rehearsal room, without preparation. The songs you hear on Orphelins, for the most part, have each been written in 2 or 3 rehearsal sessions. A riff comes out, ideas fuse and threads through a needle, and a song is created. The sound has also evolved during recording, the production is a bit more licked and this inevitably influences the nature of the music.
In June you played at “Helpfest”, helping to raise money for charity. With current tensions in international politics, how important do you believe it is to show this solidarity?
Mathieu: It is always a pleasure for us to play live, but if in addition we can associate this kind of event with a good cause, we do not deprive ourselves.
François: The friends who organized this event gave themselves 200% and the evening was superb! Here we have no tensions, we are here to help an association on a local scale (Toulon - Var), it mustn’t be forgotten that sometimes just around the corner, there is a man, a woman, or a family in need. Music is a bridge if one decides to be a little less selfish.
Until now Digital Nova has had a steady trajectory, but still plays primarily in France. Do you have any plans to tour outside of France in future?
Mathieu: I think like a lot of bands, if we had the opportunity to play everywhere we would do it right away! For now, we’re working hard to play ever further away from home, and a tour abroad in neighbouring countries can also be considered. However, we have to face up to the fact that it is becoming harder and harder to tour, and amateur bands are disappearing little by little. In any case, we are open to any chance that allows us to express ourselves on stage.
François: Rock, metal, punk... finally, all the music coming out of the classical radios are always better hosted abroad than in France, so it would be ideal. Besides, we await your invitation!
What would be your ideal bands to tour with, if given the opportunity?
Mathieu: Clearly bands in the same spirit as us, why not play with Mass Hysteria or other French bands.
François: Yes, Mass, Lofofora or Sidilarsen for French bands. But why not also go with an American group which defends the start of a career on our French roads, as long as the current passes! If I could choose a “dream”, it would be Deftones.
All of your lyrics are written in French, something which some critics might argue will hold back a band with hopes to succeed internationally. However, with Alcest having considerable international acclaim while writing all of their songs in French, do you believe there is potential for more francophone musicians to succeed internationally?
Mathieu: In fact, we don’t write any of our music with the idea of making them work commercially, internationally or not. Our approach is to create tracks that we like, that we will enjoy listening to as well as playing live. And then we are French people who live in France, wouldn’t singing in English be less natural? Starting from this, one does not take the lead with this idea of success.
François: I don’t ask myself this anymore, I write what I need to write, so in French. English is more widely sung, of course, but it is not our approach. The most famous poems are known and recognised throughout the world in French, so why not continue? French comes out instinctively. If I decide to leave at the end of the world in the next few years, maybe I would write in a different language by then!
How would you rate the current heavy metal scene in France?
François: Drowned at birth… there are hundreds of good groups but apart from those that broke through before the 2000s, most can’t survive. There is no more media, no magazines, no more radio stations as support, everything is done independently and these methods are inaccessible for many. Yet the audience still exists, even among the under 20s. Such a shame when you see the energy and quality of all the bands on stage… but rock/metal is definitely there. It’s a passion. I wonder if the guys from "Despacito" would continue their music if they were touring bars paid for in beer and accommodation for 10 years. 😉
With Orphelins nearly a year old, have you begun writing your next album yet? What direction do you think your next album will take?
Mathieu: After Orphelins, we mainly worked on our lives so that we were as well prepared as possible. We started to get some ideas but for the moment the direction is not yet defined because there is nothing concrete. We are a band that takes time to release albums!
François: No idea, our lives evolve and so our music too. When we shut ourselves up to compose, we will also make a big point to ourselves. Currently, I have a great need for softness coated with a big brutal wall ... Perhaps the solution!
Lastly, are there any other bands in your local music scene which you can recommend?
Mathieu: There are a few yes. I think especially Riff, Toys, Furiapolis, Beat Cheese... Groups to see live with within them really attractive guys.
François: Yes I join Mathieu on these 3 bands I love! I also recommend the following bands: Babylon Pression, The Coyotes' Dessert and the excellent Rescue Rangers.