QUESTIONS & ANSWERS – der gig-blog-Fragenkatalog 188 mit PALES
Es dürfte kein Geheimnis mehr sein: Die Straßburger Band Pales hat sich mit ihren äußerst intensiven Live-Auftritten in unsere Herzen gespielt. Frontfrau Célia ist ein Stimmwunder und Energiebündel und für die Band muss der Begriff „Tightness“ neu definiert werden. Beim sehr gut besuchten Gig im Merlin dürften die fünf viele neue Fans gewonnen haben. Und dass sie am 09. Mai auf dem Line-up für das Eastfilly Fest stehen, hat nicht nur an diesem Abend für viel Vorfreude gesorgt. Für uns Anlass genug, unseren Bandfragebogen nach Straßburg zu schicken. Célia, Basile (Bass) und Antoine (Gitarre) haben ihn beantwortet.
No band without a founding myth. What is yours?
Ours started in a basement, right in the heart of Strasbourg. Early spring, the sun was out, terraces were full, people soaking up the light. And us? We stayed underground. Day after day, making noise. When we finally came back up, we were paler than everyone else. That’s how Pales began.
What was the most wonderful gig you ever played?
Our concert at Haldern Pop last year. It was our first real big show in Germany, with our booking agent there. Even before the soundcheck started, the tent was full, people were energetic, they were shouting! The main stage sound engineer even came to us and asked us to make less noise during the line check because it could be heard during Patrick Watson’s set. From the start of the concert, people were really into it, they were moshing, the stage was shaking. It was exactly the feeling we wanted to have on stage!
Where would you absolutely love to play?
EVERYWHERE
How would you describe your music to someone who hasn’t listened to it yet?
Célia : it’s a mix between industrial rock, techno and rap, if we want to romanticize it : it’s a rollercoaster of emotions, from your deepest frustration and anger to your excitement of being alive
Describe the perfect stage outfit.
Célia : comfy and ready to dance
Basile : The one you feel truly comfortable in five minutes before going on stage.
The perfect gig in three words
Energy, crowd, sweating
Your most embarrassing moment on stage?
Antoine : At the end of the song Dangerous Dance, during the ambient/arpeggio part when one of my strings is out of tune and I know it, and Célia knows it too. I just want to laugh, but the moment is so intense.
Célia : one time at the very beginning of one of our gig in France, my mic fell out of the stage, it was a very calm moment so the noise was loud, I had to get off and grab it, the public wasn’t even in the energy yet, the silence was huge ahaha
Basile : When I slipped on my jack cable, I hit the ground hard and crashed into my elevated bass amp, which was just inches away from falling to the floor
What was your worst studio experience ?
Célia : During the rec of our second EP, I wasn’t comfortable with the song 1518, I mean the very first version of it. We were playing it for a year and it’s only at the studio that it wasn’t working for me, it was a huge stress cause it was the last day record’s session. I was asking myself : how can I tell them that it will not work? Well I did, and after that I had a few weeks to compose the new topline. The experience : horrible, but the intuition : on point !
Which things must always be in your tour bag?
Antoine : My water bottle, my nicotine gum and The book American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis.
Célia : tissues, throat pills, water, inhaler,phone
Basile : Boxers short, socks & a spare T-shirt
What do you look forward to at the beginning of a tour? And what at the end?
Antoine: The end of the tour. Next one.
Célia : At the beginning : laugh, cohesion, energy ,and at the end : sleep
Basile : At the beginning: playing, having fun, and seeing people happy. At the end: going back on tour.
Which song never fails to make you sing, hum or whistle along?
Célia : Hiatus Kaiyote – Nakamarra
Antoine : Wicked Game – Chris Isaak
Basile : Europe – The Final Countdown
And what song gets you on the dance floor right away?
Célia : Zina – Raïna Raï
Antoine : CSS – Let’s Make Love and Listen to Death From Above
Basile : Queen – Don’t stop me now
Which song of the Beatles deserves a cover by you?
Antoine : Helter Skelter.
The greatest musical genius (dead or alive)?
Antoine : Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin (Black Midi).
Célia : Yebba / Freddie Mercury
Basile : Björk
Which new French bands should our readers know? (Beside yours)
Antoine : April’s Fish.
Basile : Treaks
Célia : Tshegue / Article15
With which detail on the hospitality rider do you nag the promoters?
Antoine : A clean place to sleep.
Basile : A hot meal
What question do you miss on every band questionnaire? And what is the answer?
Antoine : This one. This one.
Célia : who is Rose Blake tf ?