MUSIC / ELECTRO-POP
Interview by Cyriaque Griffon
Photos by Thibaud Pommier–Gasnier
“Coffee scent flows across the air
7 am on a kitchen chair…”
A bit of storytelling: from 7 pm…
Nantes, Western France, 7pm
The other day, as I was queuing very early to secure a front row spot at a concert venue, three young people came to the front of the line to hand out flyers.
“- If you’re interested, we’re playing soon…”
As I was swiping on my smartphone, I took the flyer and must admit that I first barely looked at it. They just passed by again as I was scanning their QR code, and we had a brief chat. When I got back home late at night, I took time to listen to their songs and music. Never could I have imagined that this would take me on a journey all the way…”
… to “7 am”
There are things in life that you cannot explain. You just have to live in the moment. It goes without saying to say that when I listened to one of their songs called “7 am”, with its intoxicating melody and lyrics that immediately appealed to me — not to mention a soothing voice, harmonious backing vocals, and moments when it grooves so irresistibly you can’t help but tap your feet — I was instantly taken on an almost hypnotic journey through a sonic spell I found impossible to resist.
“Coffee scent flows across the air
7 am on a kitchen chair…”
Not only was I immersing myself in an electro-pop sound that wrapped around me deep within myself – also the kind of music you would listen to while driving – but probably it stirred up images in my subconscious that are difficult to grasp. Yet, from an objective point of view, we can talk about an electro-pop gem. To me, it stands out with songs boasting catchy emotionally powerful melodies, all of them performed in English with progressive immersive harmonies. Another song that particularly caught my attention was“Named Desire”.
Thomas sings and plays synth, Hugo holds the bass guitar, and with Fiona who is the drummer, they both add great backing vocals to Thomas’s voice. I thought this little band deserved a boost and to be put in the spotlight. Hence… the following interview with Thomas…
What does « Talba » mean ?
The T is the initial letter of my first name, because I wanted something close to me, and then “alba” (Latin root and now used in Italian and Spanish, which means “dawn”)
The band was created two years ago. What is your background and how did you meet? Have you known each other for long?
We in fact met quite recently, three years ago. At that time, I had just left Paris to move to Nantes, western France, to attend a training within an organization dedicated to music. There, I attended a 35-hour-per-week training course for nine months. All of us were on a career move to explore our music capabilities, so we were all retraining ourselves. We met there. At the end of the nine months, I suggested we do something together.
So, in fact, you are the one who was the driving force behind the formation of the band and who initiated the proposal, right?
Originally the project was quite personal, because it was something I had been thinking for a while, even before settling in Nantes. I had fantasized about this project. I was not that busy professionally, so I took that opportunity to dedicate myself to music. I had already one goal in mind: releasing an EP. So, right after the training, I launched the process, like finding a stage name. I recorded the five songs. Soon after that, we started performing live shows together. So not only was it something personal, at least originally, but then forming the band to go on stage was great. Everybody had the feeling to be part of the project I had initially envisioned.
Did the chemistry happen naturally or were there compromises along the way?
Everything went smoothly. We all immediately agreed on the general aesthetic of our work.
You have electro-pop influences. The band is labelled indie pop. How would you characterize your music and what inspired the sound and style of your music?
It is sometimes not that easy to label one’s music, you know. But I’d say it’s pop, and of course electro pop as I use electronic instruments, yet, before all, let’s say pop. There are so many musicians I like. I’d say for instance British pop band Metronomy and I’d add London band “The xx”.
I gather that “7am” is about a young man who thinks about the day to come and says to himself that he must be on the move to manage his future. What themes or messages do you communicate through your lyrics and performances?
This can be purely personal inspiration, my eye on society, what I experience. Regarding “7am”, it is when you are aware of that sensation you get when you get up early; time will run away. The day belongs to you. So, there is a sense of urgency, not to lose control of your day. Anticipate the day to come so that you make the most of it.
How many songs do you have to your name? Your first EP was released during autumn 2024 and you can listen to it on various streaming platforms. How were the five tracks of your EP chosen?
It was in fact quite simple to choose, since they were the first five creations, one of which I had already started writing before I came to Nantes. The others came after, more recently. And now, in addition to the ones featuring on the EP, we have a dozen more. I hope we will manage to sort them to release another EP in the future.
To fully achieve your dreams, what can we wish for you? Any project for the near future?
I hope that we will reach more people, which is not that easy, given the number of projects, of talented people, of great pieces.
Ready for the game they wanna play
As Thomas sings in “7 am” : “And now I’m ready for the day / Ready to build the game I wanna play / The world begins to play now / Can barely hear my own mind / I’m already on the move / With all the things I have to prove…” Well, let’s just hope that not only “the world begins to play now” but that Talba begins to play for the world and prove everything they’re capable of! Check out their soundscape and support Talba. While my favorite tracks are definitely “7 am” and “Named Desire”, the others are of course worth listening to like “Crack in the wall”, another subtle blend of emotion and catchy melodies. Anyway, on almost all the tracks, the vocals float over the beat in a fine mix that creates a melodic ensemble. Just humble – yet, heartfelt – feeling…
Since Talba is waiting to blossom, here are 4 verbs you can use to boost this emerging band: listen, support, like, share…
Instagram @talbamusic
Spotify, Deezer….