For a stylistic change, we’ll go behind the scenes with Cyril Brière of Sans Sebastien who just launched his first solo EP ‘Dans la lune’. Featuring stripped-down electro arrangements and taken in radio length format it is an audio voyage.
In the best traditions, Cyril’s harrowingly beautiful voice paints dreamlike landscapes with his music. Between Paris and Montreal, ‘Dans la lune’ was made with English arrangers Michael Wookey and Majiker (Camille’s album le fil producer), takes the listener into a utopia of hush-filled romanticism through words full of double meaning that stab straight to one’s emotions inside out. Laconic airiness against solemn gravity; tenderness amid
his debut single, ‘Dans l’été indien,’ a celebration of the life cycle that leaves its mark forever in an evocative echo. Now offered as a minimalist version ‘The Minimal Mix’ along with Michael Wookey, the song envelops listeners in swaying synths like gentle summer breezes. However, behind that dreamy façade lies a pensive melancholy. Its evocative tones touch the heart yet go beyond words.
Cyril’s creative process is similar to his music, as it takes dreaming and thinking. It often begins near the sea where he may have found inspiration for one of this tracks on Waves web site linked here or looks at elsewhere – possibly an article about robots helping them shear their sheep in Yorkshire? He draws inspiration from a broad range of influences–from the disco era through French pop, even to Barbra Streisand and Madonna or Tori Amos. These various elements combine within his musical universe in an exquisitely unique way.
You can see his evolution as an artist in the development of his style, to make sincere and direct expression rather than second-degree. Music89 Cyril’s interests aren’t limited to music, either. They range from swimming and films as a break from the stress roles in music entail.
Cyril plans to release singles every month with the intent of making an album and is always interested in more places where he can perform. He turns this over to you–where should be watch out for him next? A join work with Pascale Borel of Mikado and Laurence G do from Montreal’s Le couleur, as well DVTR suggests exciting musical possibilities.
Listen to Dans l’été Indien below
Follow Cyril Brière on
What is your stage name
I currently sing under my real name: Cyril Brière and from 2012 to 2017 I sang under the name Sans Sebastien.
Is there a story behind your stage name?
The real me 🙂
Where do you find inspiration?
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 was the role of music in the early years of your life?
Last night the music saved my life … and all the others nights….
Are you from a musical or artistic family?
No, absolutely not, my father flew helicopters and my mother worked for the tax office :-). They went on to run a bar.
Who inspired you to be a part of the music industry?
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 did you learn to sing/write/to play?
I learned to sing (and I’m still learning) with several singing teachers, and also by practising a lot at home, and a lot of Karaoke a passion ahah. Singing is liberating but singing in the studio is really difficult I find, it’s like a scan of your voice, and those who think you can just correct it with auto-tune are completely wrong, if the intention and the note don’t come close, it doesn’t work, even with correction. Singing and scenic energy are much more my thing.
What was the first concert that you ever went to and who did you see perform?
Indochine , a well-known French pop group. They fill stadiums today.
How could you describe your music?
A light, fragile bubble that unravels every time you try to catch it. But always on the verge of bursting. A bubble of dreams and heady melodies with comforting words.
Describe your creative process.
Most of the time I don’t write my melodies, I prefer to leave that to better people than me. But when I get one that I really like, I listen to it hundreds of times. Then at some point I lie down on my bed with some chocolate, I dream again, I fall asleep, I bite into the chocolate, and from time to time, words come to me.
And after a while (it’s never the same timing, it’s very variable) a phrase or a word that comes out of my head touches me and then the words are usually written in full. Then in the next few days I come back to it and perfect it.
What is your main inspiration?
The melancholy of passing time… Passing loves … Abandonment is a real source of anxiety for me (and I can’t find a specific reason for it in my past).
What musician do you admire most and why?
Tori amos I think, for her unique universe and also for her total independence as a musician (well apart from the fact that she has to carry around a 10 tonne piano everywhere ahah). She sings perfectly, plays perfectly… it must be a total pleasure to be able to express herself in this place.
Did your style evolve since the beginning of your career?
Yes of course and especially my singing lol… In Sans Sebastien my singing was really special ahah… I’m evolving because I listen to a lot of the music coming out today, not just the music from the past that built me up.
After all, my love for pop remains stainless, so I’m not changing genres, I’m evolving in my genre. I’m also trying to be more sincere, a bit less second-degree than in Sans Sebastien. To hide less.
Who do you see as your main competitor?
Artificial intelligence
What are your interests outside of music?
I swim a lot (12km a week), and I watch films when I have time (I love almodovar for example or David Lynch…) Music takes up so much time when you have all the roles.
If it wasn’t a music career, what would you be doing?
I’d marry a millionaire, or I’d have sex on the beach
What is the biggest problem you have encountered in the journey of music?
I need the industry to have confidence in me, and that’s still not a given, as the public follow more than the industry.
If you could change one thing in the music industry, what would it be?
The ridiculous and unfair remuneration of independent artists…
Why did you choose this as the title of this project?
You mean my name? Well, I’ve taken my real name so I can stop hiding, as I said earlier. A quest for sincerity no doubt.
What are your plans for the coming months?
I’m going to release a single a month, starting in January, on the platforms that will eventually form an album. I’m doing this to develop my visibility. The full album will normally be available before then, but only in my download store, not for streaming. I’m also hoping to do a lot more concerts, because I only do a few, and that’s what I like best… If you have any dates to suggest, don’t hesitate :-))!
Do you have any artistic collaboration plans
Yes, I worked with Pascale Borel from the pop group Mikado (80s cult french pop) on the album, and also with Laurence G do from montreal, who has the group Le couleur and the group DVTR in Quebec. I’m also currently working with a singer/director on a beautiful duet song, and she has a voice I adore (but I won’t tell you the name, otherwise there’s no secret :-))…
What message would you like to give to your fans?
Let’s keep the bubble light but strong, and pop it only at the top 🙂
