Romain Gutsy is a French-born singer-songwriter and musician who started his career in the 90s, playing accordion with French bands such as Les Affamés or guitar in the Celtic band Daffy Plays Mandola, as well as playing with more famous chaps such as the Grammy-winning alt-rock band Soul Asylum or American singer Calvin Russel. After more than 20 years of musical pause and traveling all over the world, he came back in 2020 with a solo album under the name of The Red, Whatever Says the Clock, featuring songs composed on lyrics made of classical American and Irish poetry. While releasing When Leonard Met Dolly, Gutsy works on two other projects that are under production: an EP in duet with Russian opera soprano Svetlana Kasyan and an LP with all songs in French.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Kamil) Hey Romain Gutsy, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. What first got you into music?
Well, since I’m not even a kid I’ve considered music as the best and ultimate way to communicate. Music is not only THE universal language, it’s a mean to share our most inner truth with others, and transmit emotions, ideas, love that no other mean can compete with. That was my truth when I was born, and that’s still my truth.
Are there any musicians who inspire you? What qualities do you admire about them?
So many! I can’t list them, as each name I will put will bring dozens of others. But what I admire about them in general is their dedication to communication. Doing music is an art of giving, and an art of communicating. It’s tough sometimes and sticking to it is in itself something to admire.
Your latest track is 'Lany'. Can you share with us the background of its creation and did any unusual things happen during its creation?
Lany… I wrote it during a stay in the south of France. Actually, I think I wrote it in something like 15 minutes, lyrics and music. Then I called my wife to sing it to her, with my guitar. She listened to it, and when I asked her: “so?”, she just answered “well, it’s OK” with a disdaining put. Usually she’s a good judge of my work, but this time, I felt she was wrong. Then two days later, she was there, and I sang the song again. She told me “This one is good!” That was the exact same song, but for some reason, now she could have it. I suspect that the first time, she became a bit jealous of “Lany”, a girl that I never met…
Which skills have you gained that help you perform effectively as a musician?
First, I’ve learned how to move my fingers and control my voice. That helps. But in fact, the most important skill is persistence. That, in conjunction with practice, is the key. To persist, and to improve, always. There is no magical trick, unfortunately.
What are your favourite musical genres, and are there any you dislike?
I like almost every genre, but I don’t listen to dance music, or R&B, house music and that kind of modern genres. I can’t say it’s bad, but until now I was not able to connect with it.
Are there people who help you with the production of the songs?
My last album, “Numero 2”, has been produced by Marc Bentel. He is a great producer and I love working with him.
What are your long term goals?
Ruling the world. Through music, of course.
What is it about music that makes you feel passionate?
People. I’m not sure I can explain it very well, but the only good reason there is to make music is to give something good to others. Other reasons, like personal reward, or money, or pride, or girls, are either secondary or wrong reasons. People is what matters. Helping others deal with their lives is what matter. And that makes me passionate, because with music and aesthetic you can definitely help people, give people, and love people.
How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?
It certainly brought some difficulties, at least for people like me who were into music at a time where things were much more “organic” and live, but it also brings a lot of opportunities for spreading your music around. So, I can’t say it made musicians lives more difficult or easier, but for sure it made them different.
What are your plans for the future?
I entered in discussion for signing with a UK label, and maybe I’ll do it. I also will come back on stage in September, in Paris. You’d be welcome!