Nicolas is wearing a MISBHV shirt.

Where the
Heart Leads

Discover the inner world of the French singer Nicolas Poyet, a.k.a Foé. We talked by the poolside about his latest album “Îl”, summer and being a self-taught artist. From Toulouse to the world.

A decade ago, when Nicolas was a kid, He asked his mom to buy him a baseball cap. His mother agreed but in return, she asked her son to read a full book. It was the adventures Robison Crusoe by Daniel Defoe. That experience changed his whole life and he chose his name honoring the British writer. That kid is now Foé, the French singer that just released his latest album “Îl” (February 26, 2018) where he talks about his memories, nostalgia and the importance of self-development.

How did you start in music?

I started playing the guitar at 12 years old. I also have a background in music theory and piano. When I was really young, I started listening to a lot of rock AC/DC, Rolling Stones, Beatles, etc. Then I discovered electronic music and bands like Alt-J and it opened for me a whole new world.

Why did you start to write your music in English?

Anglophone music influenced me a lot. So I started to write songs in English. When I met my first producer I sent him two songs in French. He loved them and he encouraged me to keep writing in French.

Which decade influenced you the most?

If I have to choose, my dream will be to live in the 80s because everything was so modern at that time. I’m also a big admirer of rock bands of the 80s, the sound of the guitars, the drums, the energy at the concerts, etc.

If you have to describe your album with 2 words, which ones will it be?

Melancholic and Hybrid.

“I’m a very nostalgic
person”

Nicolas is wearing a MISBHV vest, Kenzo shirt, and Influenceu sweatpants.

What is the inspiration behind your album?

I learned to produce music all alone in my room. I liked being a little lonely. I got isolated for a year because I was doing my album and studying at the same time. So my album is a transcript of that.

What’s the concept of your album’s cover?

The feeling of solitude is really present on the whole record. In the picture, the sand symbolizes the loneliness. Also, there’s a clock and a desk, which refers to all the time that I spent in my room working on my music. At the same time, the sand and the whole image is related to Robinson Crusoe and his isolation on an island.

Are you inspired by the music of any other country?

Subconsciously, I’m influenced by the origins of my grandparents. My grandmother is from Catalonia (Spain) and her name is Nuria. I wrote a song about her on this album. Some of my ancestors traveled from the north of Africa to Spain and then to France. Two years after she passed away I discovered a text that my grandfather wrote to her trying to keep alive her memories.

Do you want to reflect memories in your work?

Yes, memory is really displayed in this album. I talk about my teenage years. I feel I’m a very nostalgic person. Somehow that is reflected in my music. I let the stories that I experienced to be present in my music. With that, I try to transmit them to my songs, and then to people.

On your album, you have a song called “Coma Idyllique” (Idyllic Coma). The lyrics are really interesting. What is the story behind this song?

It’s inspired by something that happened to me that really shocked me. The inspiration behind this song is the death of a family member, he was like a brother to me. He passed away when I was 14 years old. It was at Christmas and I was present when it happened. It made me so sad and I wanted to talk about it. Then I kind of mixed that feeling with the concept of social suicide. It’s a really conceptual song with a lot of experimentation in it.

Which other artists do you admire?

I really admire how “Christine and the Queens” write. She uses French in a really anglophone way. It’s something really hard to do and she does it masterfully.

Do you like fashion?

I’m not necessarily interested in fashion itself. I like to look at it and get inspired. I don’t know big brand names, the latest trends, etc. I like the creative side of it and how it can be used as a self-expression tool. I love drawing clothes. I designed a lot of outfits with my girlfriend. In fact, we made a look together that I wore and her grandmother sewed it.

Do you have any plans for the summer?

In summer, I have a friend who has a house in Spain and we go there every year. It’s a town where there’s nothing. I don’t know why we go every year. It’s funny to be there, now it is a tradition.

Do you have any advice for new artists?

You need to commit to your project. You have to be really connected to it and give 100% to it. Be really passionate about it. Honoring the creative process is really important as it’s a personal pleasure.

The latest album of Foé, Îl, is available now on all digital platforms.

All his tour dates are available on his website.

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