Q: Hey, can you tell us a bit about where you come from, and what made you want to start a career in music?
A: I’m/we’re Croissant. It kind of depends on the situation. Sometimes we’re a we and sometimes it’s just me. The idea of Croissant was created in the back of a freezing cold Church extension where I’d set up a little synth rack alongside a cheap drum kit and what I’m pretty sure was a kids bass. I started recording a load of songs that I thought were semi-decent and started a music page over on Instagram.
Q: And what other artists have you found yourself listening to lately?
A: I’ve been listening to a lot of Khadja Bonet, especially her 2016 album ‘The Visitor’. Though I’m usually listening to Pond or Bansai Florist. Dayglow’s just released a new album so I’ll have to check that out at some point.
Q: Who were your first and strongest musical influences, and why the name ‘Croissant’?
A: My first memories of listening to music were in the car listening to whatever 80’s records my parents had on. Springsteen was on a lot. As a young teen Avicii got me into music production and then a couple years later Tom Odell got me into sitting for hours at a piano and trying to write my own stuff. As for the moniker Croissant, my actual name is a little too long and unattractive so I dug deep into my French heritage and pulled out an A4 sheet of ridiculous names including the likes of Baby Waffle and Saint Croissant. I dropped the antemortem canonisation and went with the French pastry. It was either that or Pain Au Chocolat.
Q: You have just released your new single, ‘Next October’. Is there a story behind it?
A: ‘Next October’ came from a coffee shop conversation with a friend about past difficulties which occurred every October. So the song was written as a sort of promise to say that this will pass, there’s always next time and next time you won’t be alone.
Q: Can we expect a new EP or even an album from you in the near future?
A: Yes! (Hopefully) Unconfirmed as of yet, so keep it on the down-low, but next Autumn there may be an EP.
Q: What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
A: I definitely think there’s a 80’s pop element to most of my songs, at least the ones that are out anyway. I would describe my sound as very synth-y. Layers upon layers of pads, arpeggios and sub-hooks. Like maybe some whirlwind mix of Indie dream bedroom pop.
Q: Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfilment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more?
A: I enjoy it, and when other people enjoy it too, it means so much. It means a lot people would even listen to it in the first place. For me, I enjoy the creation more so than putting it out there. It’s like building something with lego and seeing it slowly come together. That other people want to share in that is incredible.
Q: Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song?
A: It really varies from song to song but usually it all starts with a cool sound. A smooth synth pad, a plucky bass line or a clean chorus guitar tone. Then a concept or an idea, like with Next October. And then it all either seems to click into place straight away or I get bored and come back to it months later where it then all finally clicks into place. I tend to write and record loads, so I end up with really long tracks with way too many layers. Then it becomes a process of trimming it down and keeping the best stuff.
Q: What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
A: T1 diabetes isn’t fun. Musically, I think the most difficult thing I’ve faced has been confidence. Having battled the likes of anxiety and depression from a far too young age, confidence was something – and occasionally can still be – a hurdle to jump over, or crash through. Sometimes you just have to go for it and see what happens.
Q: On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
A: I wrote more than a full album of jazz inspired, bluesy piano tracks with what I consider my best work musically and lyrically when I was 18. Only a few of the songs have seen the light of the day in the corner of small restaurants and cute little fairy-light lit evening gigs. There are no plans on recording and releasing this album anytime soon… but one day. Last year I took a Christmas song I’d written one depressing winter whilst I was stood by some bins on a break at my crappy job on a frosty morning and performed it live for the first time. Now it’s been recorded and set for release December 2nd 2022
