Interview: NYC/Paris Based Artist Théo GOUDE Discusses His New Single/Video "Angelic"
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“Perspective just opens one up to new experiences and feelings. It’s a never-ending waterfall filled with content. I think the more you’re willing to try to understand the other side of a story (not necessarily agree), the better it is not only creatively but humanly, for everyone.”
We're totally blown away by your new single/video "Angelic". Tell us about what initially inspired you to write the song and how you connected with Pacific and Yann N?
Firstly thank you, that means a lot! I wrote "Angelic" for the first time with one of my past relationships in mind. I actually "used to be so jealous" which created and enhanced a lot of personal insecurities inside of me. Instead of talking about these insecurities, I would keep them in and either act foolishly or say some stupid sh*t.
I found Pacific's beat on YouTube and immediately knew that this was the song I had to write; I have had my fair share of romantic drama in the past couple years, and these untold insecurities have played a huge role in this drama. So I had this melody that kept coming back to mind and I wrote a first draft of the song, but wasn't too happy with it; it kinda fell flat lyrically.
Yann N is a friend I met in high school and we both took on the same musical paths for some reason. When visiting one of my other close collaborators, Lil Didi, in Montreal, I touched base with Yann and knew I wanted to make a song with him. This was after having listened to his first single "I was 11"; I quickly figured out that Yann had a way of finding pockets for melodies, some I could never find myself. So after I had a couple drinks and Lil Didi had passed out on his bed, I asked Yann if he would like to write a second verse for this song I really wanted to make but wasn't satisfied with.
I waited a little and he suddenly came up with harmonies for the chorus which immediately confirmed that he was the perfect feature for the song. I bought the lease to Pacific’s beat and we recorded in a beautiful studio in Montreal, “Planet Studios” (which I payed for myself with all of my Christmas money lol). The perspective of two people with big egos and huge insecurities was, I would say, the reason why "Angelic" works so well in my opinion.
"Angelic" will be featured on your upcoming project "Fishes in the Tank"; what can you tell us about it and do you have an ideal release date in mind?
“Fishes in a Tank” is an album that will have much of the same nostalgic feel as “Angelic” in ways but it will be a 360 experience in terms of musicality. The album is solely based on collaboration with people I’ve met all over the world.
So far, I’ve released featurings with Yann N (Lille and Montreal), A.C.F (New York City), and Laetitia Hugues (Paris) for this album and on the 8th of December, you’ll get to meet thirteen more of these featuring! It’s one of the projects I’m most proud of to this day. It feels complete, it encapsulates all kinds of energies and even has a couple songs in French.
You live in both Paris and NYC; how would you say that these locales influence your creativity as a songwriter?
I’ve had my double nationality (French and American) since birth and was raised in a household exactly like that of my nationalities. I’ve taken in as much French culture my whole life than American (also Korean though my Mom is second generation), and I would say these acted as my superpowers.
Coming and living from/in such rich cultural places has given me perspective. This has helped me think more critically of the world that surrounds me and thus has definitely translated into my songwriting. Perspective just opens one up to new experiences and feelings. It’s a never-ending waterfall filled with content. I think the more you’re willing to try to understand the other side of a story (not necessarily agree), the better it is not only creatively but humanly, for everyone.
2020 is almost over; what are you most proud of when it comes to your musical output this year?
I’m really proud of this next album I gotta say. That is certainly what I’m most proud of. I’ve been working non-stop, you could ask anyone close to me. I’m just really proud of everything I’ve accomplished on this album. Seeing “Fishes in a Tank” come to life will definitely be my pride for 2020. It’s gotten me to do this interview for one haha.
Following up on the last question, what are some of your goals musically for 2021?
For 2021, my only goal is to work as hard, if not harder than 2020. I want to start working on my official debut album, I can’t wait.
I don’t know if my goal would be to finish it, but definitely musically my goal will be to grow my fan base and put everything into my album.
You did an incredible job directing "Angelic"; what was it your first direction and do you look forward to doing it again for yourself and/or other artists?
Thank you! That also means so much! “Angelic” wasn’t my first directory endeavor as I’ve directed every one of my videos from the day I started making music (apart from Lividus and Love is at your Fingertips, directed by the great Apolline Pilley and Johann Akogo).
I’ve co-directed a couple other videos like “Falling 404” with Noah Kim, and other older ones with D2V. I hope I’m not forgetting anything or anyone… I’ve released a lot so I can’t always remember well haha. Anyways, yeah actually almost every song on this next project I want to make a music video for. I hope I get to make them, it’s all a matter of timing, budget (even though I’m mostly low-budget) and COVID.
I would love to work with other artists on these; it’s really only about finding the right fit for the right video. My passion for music videos and film in general is huge, so that means as much to me as making music itself. It’s almost as if I make music for the videos. I can’t wait to get back at it!!!