Photographer Mattéo Colson – Fashion Editor Cléo Ghysels – Talent Pierre de Maere – Grooming by Sebastien Camp – Photographer Assistant Mathéo Charron – Fashion Assistant – Léane Massinon – Interview by Oliver Dhale // Total Look Kenzo // Total Look Dries Van Noten
Pierre, In what situations do you feel most inspired?
I need time to be inspired, it’s more important than the place or the context. It is difficult for me to write on tour or when my mind is full of things to think about. I need to be alone. I always compose and write alone initially, before involving others in the process.
Can you share a bit about your musical journey so far and highlight some significant milestones or experiences that shaped your artistry?
The moments that have marked me the most in my short musical journey are all the first times. My song ‘Un jour je marierai un ange’ was released in 2019, and that changed my life. The track became a hit within six months, propelling me to Olympia, the iconic Parisian venue, and to all the summer festivals in France, Belgium, and Switzerland. My first album was released a year ago, and I’m still proud of it today. It reflects who I am.
Are there any artists or musical influences that have significantly impacted your style or whose work you admire?
I’ve been a big fan of Lady Gaga forever. I first fell in love with her, then she kind of became my spiritual mother, a story that so many gays can relate to I guess. I was inspired by her audacity, her strength, and her limitless creativity. When it comes to French music, I’m a big fan of Stromae from Belgium, Les Rita Mitsuko, and Yelle. They all have a unique approach to art, music, and visuals. These are very comprehensive and ambitious projects.
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What do you believe sets your music apart from others in the industry?
This is such a difficult question to answer. My music combines everything I love, and I believe my tastes are unique in their own way. I enjoy it when it’s epic; there’s an almost baroque aspect in my productions that is sometimes over the top. I love the dramatic organs of Arcade Fire; I appreciate the very theatrical interpretation of someone like Polnareff— you can find all of that in my work. There’s also lightness and humour. I don’t take myself too seriously. I sometimes flirt with kitsch and bad taste, but it amuses me. All of these elements make my music unique.
If your music were a handshake with your fans, what kind of impression or bond would you aim to create with them?
I want that handshake to transport them far from their reality. I want to make them dream, immerse them in a romantic, sublime image, so they can forget themselves for the duration of a concert or that handshake. I also want it to be comforting.
As a well-known figure, people you’ve never met might feel they know you, while you have no idea who they are. How do you handle this parasocial relationship?
I, myself, have been a fan before being an artist. I know how it feels to fall in love with the personality of someone you’ve never met. I don’t consider that cringe or awkward, actually some of my fans have become friends over time.
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It is often said that the first impression is crucial. What do you notice first when meeting a new person?
The first thing I pay attention to when I meet someone is to find out if they are sincere or not. I quickly see if someone is putting on an act; I hate pretending. Those who pretend bore me. Also, if someone manages to make me laugh, then they’ve won me over.
Some meetings unexpectedly change our entire lives, leading to new career paths, and romances, or exposing us to new facets of life. Can you recall any of these impactful meetings you’ve had?
I’ve met many people who have changed the course of my life; Théo, my artistic director, Edie, my best friend who directed several of my music videos, I could name plenty. But the most important person in my professional and personal life is my brother, Xavier. He’s my sound engineer and assists me with productions. He’s also my life coach; he’s a real hard worker, whereas I’m more on the lazy side. We’ve found this perfect balance to move forward together.
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In your song ’Un jour je marierai un ange’, you sing about marrying an angel, which seems a bit fictional. What is your view on love? Will you meet your angel, one day?
My vision of love is unreasonable. I can only imagine it as burning or possibly icy, it’s never lukewarm. I love to fantasise about love, hence the idealised figure of the angel. So inevitably, with such expectations, I always end up disappointed. Sadly, I don’t think angels exist for real; there’s always a touch of vice.
Looking ahead, how do you envision your music evolving, and what mark do you hope to leave on the industry through your artistry?
The only mark I want to leave in the industry is happy memories in people’s minds. I want to die knowing that I’ve spread dreams, and moments of happiness, and that my music has brought people together and accompanied them in the soundtrack of their lives. Also, I’d like to receive a ton of awards and diamond certifications, these are kind of flattering…