What was the beginning pint for your music career? How did it all start?
Fred (voice-guitar) : It was in 1997. Aldo and I played in a band called Gasoline. When this band splitted, we decided to keep on together with another project and ZOË was born.
Was there any bumps on the road? What kind of challenges did you have to deal with?
Fred : The line up has changed many times and each time it wasn’t easy. The launch closes one chapter in the story, but starts a whole. The worse was when Mike (ex bass player) left the band. We were all exhausted and we weren’t sure that the band continue but we found Clément and we’re still there.
What was the most fulfilling and satisfying moment so far?
Aldo (guitar) : We had a lot of good times. One of those good times was when we played at Annaba in Algeria. Because there are not many bands in our style playing there and we had a wonderful reception from the audience. There were a lot of young girls in the audience, all wearing the scarf and they were also wearing a Motorhead, Iron Maiden, Metallica t-shirts… They were happy to be there! I like to think that this concert gave them a wind of freedom. And I know that day we went beyond our mission, it’s perhaps the most moving and important ZOË concert.
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
Clément (bass) : It’s a mix of all our influences, so it should be Rock’n’Roll inspired by the 70’s, hardcore like The Bronx or stoner like Fu Manchu, Kyuss… In the end, it’s a heavy, and high energy Rock’n’Roll.
What is your creative process like?
Aldo : I look for a good riff, I test it with the band and if the groove is good I look for a verse, a chorus, a bridge and/or a break and we assemble the tracks together. Holy looks for the rhythms and the tempo best suited to our ideas. Sometimes Fred or Clément may have an idea of chorus, riff or verse. When the title is finished, Fred looks for lyrics and melodies that he adds to the composition.
If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
Clément : The fact that people still have to look at band before deciding if they like what they listen to. It still a big thing in music, people expect all musicians to be model etc. But it’d be great to be listened and liked or not for the music you do.
If you were asked to give a piece of advice to upcoming bands, what would that be?
Clément : To keep on going whatever people say. To play until they can’t anymore, or just don’t want anymore. But if it’s what they want to do, from the bottom of there heart: that’s what they should do.
Holy (drums) : And have fun, there are a very little chance to become rich and famous so, have fun and enjoy what you play with your bands bro
What has been the best performance of your career so far?
Holy : All the shows I play with these guys are great, so it’s too hard to say just one, they can drive me crazy at any time and any venue
If you didn’t become a musician, what would you be doing now?
Holy : I’m a big fan of ice hockey so I should stay behind and being a goalie
What is new with the band at the moment? What are you currently working on and would like to share with the world?
Clément : For now we are focusing a lot on the tour for “Back Into The Light”, working on the set list and the shows, it takes a lot of time so nothing really new, but when the pandemic strikes, we were working on new song, so these are in the box waiting to be needed ! One day or an other it’ll be the right time to release them !
