Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A: I grew up in a small town in S-W England and started playing instruments when I was four years old. At 17 I taught myself guitar and started writing songs. Our neighbours nephew was signed to a label in Canada and he put me in touch with his manager who lived in London and a few months later I was recording this album with a fantastic producer (Joel Bogen). I’d had some family disasters prior to this and the album was focused around those events along with the outbreak of war at the time and how messed up the whole world seemed to me.
Q: How are you planning on growing your fan base and sharing your music with the world? What message do you have for anyone who is about to discover “BON FEU”?
A: I’d like people to feel that it’s either thought provoking or that it takes young journey of discovery. That’s what it’s all about right? – A way to let go and allow your imagination run away with itself? The whole album is full of emotion from the production to the melodies and the lyrics so I hope people will be able to relate to it in one way or another. And we’re already building a close net fan base where we will give away exclusive content. All you have to do is sign up through this link! https://mailchi.mp/c2d632c1c4e8/bonfeu
Q: Who is the most inspiring artist for you right now? And where do you find inspiration for making music?
A: I really like seeing how Justin Vernon, The National and Taylor Swift are working together on each others records and what extends to an even wider network of musicians and friends with Big Red Machine. Strength in numbers is as true here as it ever has been! Very inspiring.
Q: Can you tell us about the story behind the album, “Strange Place.”?
A: Strange Place was recorded 23 years ago. For one reason or another the album was never released at the time. Years went by and there was a bitter taste attached to it that I couldn’t shake. I was listening to it a while ago though and thought that it sounded just as fresh as it did in its infancy. Also, it is easier to deal with since my father died last year as much of the album revolves around a period of time when, to put it lightly, he wasn’t really the best person he could have be.
Q: How would you describe your sound in one word for potential listeners?
A: Electrorock – It’s simply groove based beats with soaring guitars and angst melodies!
Q: Did you face any challenges while writing or recording “Strange Place”?
A: We spent around 6 months recording the album. I was travelling from Somerset to London each week for a few days to record while working at Pizza Express on the other days to pay for the trips up and down. So that wasn’t easy. I was also under a lot of pressure to write towards the end of the recording process which is difficult to do whether under pressure or not!
Q: And what are your goals as an artist?
A: For BON FEU to see the light of day is the first step and we’ll wait to see where each step takes us after that. Who knows what the future holds? I also have a solo project under my own name – Marcus Valance – which you’re more than welcome to check out!
Q: Who is your dream artist to collaborate with? (dead or alive)
A: Well it was amazing to collaborate with legendary mixer, Tim Palmer on this record. I remember when we met he had recently come out of a session with David Bowie and he also mixed my favourite album, Ten by Pearl Jam so this was a very special time! So those two artists mentioned there are definitely people I would have loved to or would love to collaborate with but for now I’m more than happy with the indirect connection!
Q: What is your advice for people interested in pursuing music as a career or for those trying to enter the industry?
A: Enjoy and nurture your passion and celebrate the small wins.
Q: If you could go back in time and give a younger you some words of wisdom, what would they be?
A: I would tell my younger self to trust the journey and not be in a hurry to achieve everything at once. Life and music careers have their own pace, and it’s important to enjoy the process rather than constantly seek the next milestone. Also, don’t be too hard on yourself when things don’t go as planned; setbacks and failures are valuable learning experiences that can ultimately lead to greater success.
BON FEU’s debut single ‘Strange Place’, from the album of same name, is released 22.09.23
