Based in Paris, Cyril Brière is a versatile artist, renowned not only as a member of the band Sans Sebastien but also for his solo endeavours in the French pop music scene. Armed with a warm and resonant voice and charming songwriting, Cyril embarked on his solo journey earlier this year, making a memorable entrance with the debut single “BB (Berlin, Barcelone)” in June, paired with an acoustic rendition of the song.
Following this, Cyril shared his first EP titled Dans la lune, a release produced between the cities of Paris and Montreal. Collaborating with English arrangers Michael Wookey and Majiker, Cyril Brière crafted a sonic journey that showcased his unique sound while celebrating the cyclical nature of life.
The EP featured the lead single “Dans l’été Indien” in two distinct versions; the colour mix and the blue mix. Now, adding a fresh layer to this musical odyssey, Cyril presents “Dans l’été Indien (The Minimal Mix),” inspired by his extended stay in Montreal.
With his latest release, Cyril Brière serves up a dreamy slice of downtempo synth pop. Opened by lush choral vocal elements, the pulse of thumping bass and laid back snap of electronic beats usher in Cyril’s hushed vocal leads.
Threading playful lines and lyrics in French, he crafts an immersive sound full of alluring melodic writing, subtly danceable rhythm and memorable hooks. With a colourful array of buzzy synth tones and staccato shots, backed by distant sonic textures, the new mix delivers an atmospheric sound of retro-inspired electronic pop filtered through the artist’s unique sepia-toned sonic lens.
Poetic verses dance above the minimalist electronic arrangement, creating an atmospheric sound that captures the essence of Brière’s original artistic vision. The magic lies in the simplicity of the composition, as he strips down the layers to unveil a more intimate and radio-friendly format of the hit track, breathing new life into his stellar song.
We caught up with Cyril Brière to find out more about his musical journey so far, his new single “Dans l’été Indien (The Minimal Mix)” and what he’s got lined up for the future. Check out our interview with Cyril Brière below.
Hey Cyril, how’s things?
I’m fine, I’m not going to complain at the moment ahah, but I’m like everyone else with my ups and downs. But I’m super excited about releasing new music.
What’s your earliest memory of making music?
When I came back from Africa (where I was living) at the age of 6, I turned on the TV (which I didn’t have in Africa) and I came across a French singer who was doing disco in French: Karen Cheryl: Tchoo Tchoo (hold on the line). A direct addiction ahaha. I asked for a synth to learn.
Which artists do you draw most inspiration from?
Today, I’m a big fan of Yelle, a French band (famous in the US). Otherwise Disco at the end of the 70s, then French pop with artists like etienne daho or lio or elli and Jacno or Mikado, the new wave of new order and Depeche Mode… And the beautifully melodic pop of Madonna. I also plunged into the fascinating world of Tori Amos.
How else do you find inspiration for your music?
Dreaming and contemplating, best by the sea.
I dream awake a lot, it’s part of my character. I’m in the moon ahaha
What’s been your highlight of the year so far?
The beaches of the Basque country this summer, the release of my ep in the autumn, but if I’d done one or more concerts, no doubt it would have been top 1 (well, except if I’d been horribly bad lol)
What do you love about the Paris music scene?
I don’t really think of it as the Parisian music scene any more, but rather as the French music scene. Obviously, we all pass through Paris at one time or another to play. But a lot of artists these days don’t live in Paris (I do), and with the networks etc. it’s no longer necessary to be in the capital to break through. It’s a bit of an old-world fantasy ahah. But in Paris there really are some unique and magical places to play (but they’re increasingly sought-after and hard to get). Paris is a hub for everything. There’s really great stuff and rubbish stuff and snobbish stuff too.
What would you say is the perfect setting for listeners to enjoy your sound?
In a car by the sea, or on a walk over vast expanses of land. My music is very much about landscapes, wide open spaces and inner journeys. It’s also a great invitation to contemplation. It’s a light, melancholy bubble that carries us along with the wind.
Who would be your dream artist to collaborate with?
In France, Yelle, Clio, Françoise Hardy, Mylène Farmer, Pierre de Maere, Zohé de Sagazan, Vanessa Paradis, Niagara (but they don’t exist any more), and some new ones that are coming up that I really like.
And the ultimate fantasy in the US with Madonna
How did you find making your recent single “Dans l’été Indien”?
It’s a song I really like, about cycles. I wrote it in a coffee shop in Montreal one November, when the wind was blowing outside and the leaves were flying.The melody is by a friend Laurence G do who has two bands in Montreal (Le couleur and Dvtr). For the arrangements, I was inspired by a French band from the 80s and 90s, Niagara, whose melancholy and lyricism were also quite their thing. For this more streamlined version I called on the English artist Majiker, who really turns ideas into gold. The other version was produced by Michael Wookey, who sings on the track in the background. He really brings a breath of fresh air and dreaminess to his work, and he’s English too (by chance).
I’m very happy to present it to people, I hope it will allow them to travel in a bubble for a little more than 3 minutes… and that it will become the best French hit of 2024 ahah (we can always dream, it’s our true space of freedom).
What message did you want to get across with this release?
That everything can continue elsewhere than in the reality we know… That’s where freedom lies (I’m not talking about the virtual here, but about inner parallel lives).
What artist have you been listening to most recently?
A French pop singer I love, Clio, I’ve even been to see her in concert. I’m very touched by her very delicate and fair universe, and by her words. I can really relate to her. I’d love to do a song with her one day, I’m sure it would be a good match. I’ve also discovered another new French artist, Damien Rondo, whose song “la mer et l’amour” is a rare beauty.
What’s the main thing you want people to get out of listening to your music?
That the smallest everyday gestures can be sublimated and turned into a real journey. That’s what I try to do in my songs. To give everyday life its freedom.
What’s been your favourite live performance so far?
I don’t know if you’re talking about my best performance as a singer or the best I’ve ever seen. So I’ll answer both.
As an artist, I think the most impressive was the big outdoor stage at the Francos in Montreal, and the most successful was Chez Castel in Paris.
As a spectator, I really had my breath taken away on Madonna’s Celebration tour. It was incredible. She was incredible, even though she hardly dances any more, she still holds the show together, she’s really the boss, everything around her is sublime. Her energy is incredible.
Who would be 3 artists to headline your dream festival? And where would it be?
Well, after my previous answer, Madonna of course, Yelle and finally me ahaha (yes, I’d love to). It would take place in the Basque Country, my favourite place in the world, by the sea in San Sebastian or Biarritz.
Do you have any advice for a new artist wanting to follow your footsteps?
ahahah, I wouldn’t advise him to follow mine, but rather that of Pierre De Maere (a very famous Belgium artist in France right now) , who understands how the industry works much better than I do, while keeping to his artistic line. I’m still rather a novice at this game… even though I’m no longer young. To each his own ahah
Finally, what do you have lined up for 2024?
To release a single a month on the platforms, and also to release my album at the same time. But above all I’m hoping for a lot of live performances because that’s where I feel most alive.
Listen to Dans l’été Indien (The Minimal Mix) below
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