Water Rise is a musician who doesn't hesitate to collaborate with other artists to give you a great experience. More precisely a bassist / guitarist attached to percussive bass / drums combos and who fleshes out around them with a multitude of instruments. If you like rock music, you should like it, but he has a hard time sticking to one style. His influences are multiple, and he likes to see what it can give when you take the best of each. Why Water Rise ? He likes this name because it has a lot of meaning. First of all, our planet Earth is not in good shape, and it's not going to get any better. He's worried about the legacy we'll leave our children.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Hi Water Rise. Nice to be able to interview you. How is life in Paris for you? Would you recommend the city for people from outside France?
I'm just outside Paris but I lived there for a little over 5 years. Paris is a great city to live in if you are a student, if you are an artist or if you like culture in general. Now that I'm a parent, I have to admit that life is too expensive in this city and I had to move out of town to buy a flat.
Are there any musicians who inspire you? What qualities do you admire about them?
I would say Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl are big influences for me. I admire both of them for their multi-instrumentalist abilities. For me Paul is a hit machine and an exceptional bass player who has influenced generations of musicians. Dave too but more in the rock style which is less "FM" but after Nirvana he became a very talented singing guitarist. Dave is also a very humble person who I think is very accessible and people like that.
Your latest track is 'Escape'. Can you share with us the background of its creation and did any unusual things happen during its creation?
For this piece I had the chance to collaborate with :
- Mik's Reaction from Autralie who helped me with the vocals and lyrics
- François Vingrief from France for his solo guitars which only he has the secret
This piece required a lot of energy because these 2 musicians helped me from a distance without us ever meeting.
The track was then mixed by Paul Willis who lives in America and then mastered by Etienne Pelosoff who is in France.
How can you describe the music you make?
My project is essentially Rock but I also stray into other styles (Instrumental, soundtrack, electro sometimes ..).
In general my songs are centred on effective bass/drum combos. The bass is often put forward because I am a bass player first.
The project "WATER RISE" is in fact for me a release where I let all that it passes by me by head. I try not to restrict myself by a style. I do solo compositions and other collaborative ones where I make my listeners discover musicians and artists from all over the world.
Do you have common hobbies beyond music?
Music is my first passion but I am also sensitive to nature, I love the great outdoors as we can see in Quebec / New Zealand. I also like everything artistic and in particular, the world of comics, drawing or cinema.
What got you started in the music industry?
Since I was a child I have been sensitive to music and rhythm in particular. I was in high school when I started to play guitar and I started a band very quickly with some friends. I became a bass player very quickly and I've never stopped since. Now I also sing a little, compose, play a little piano and learn new things every day.
What is the biggest decision you’ve had to make?
I would say it was proposing to my wife. I am now the proud husband and father of two little boys. Maybe one day they'll play music too, at least they'll have a choice of instruments if they do :)
What are your achievements to the moment?
I have two new songs in the works. I have one Rock, which is an idea that I need to seriously look into, and another one already in the works that is a bit hybryan and will feature a rapper.
How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?
For me, the Internet is an opportunity for artists like me who are just starting out. I would have loved to be able to have as much international exposure with my previous bands. However, as it is easier to be seen, I think it is also more difficult to be recognized in the multitude of artists trying to make a place for themselves. I think the ones who persist stay. So that can cause a lot of stress, some people will feel compelled to post to post and keep their audiences. Personally I prefer to post when I have something real to share and not force myself.
What are your plans for the future?
I'm a bit old school, if my project finds its audience, I'd love to make an album and do some concerts to defend it. I think that would be huge!