Music Waves Q&A: Edda
learn more about Edda through dipity's monthly music interview spotlights
Introduction
Edda is an a-pop-calyptic duo that blends Electropop origins with a hauntingly dark, immersive soundscape, perfect for a dystopian movie. Tom produces the instrumentals and Louise sings. Their self-titled debut album, released on July 19th, 2024, is a testament to the DIY spirit, entirely crafted in their living room. This album takes you on a journey with "Edda," the enigmatic heroine, navigating solitude and bizarre encounters. Dive into their world with the mesmerizing music video for "Witches," now streaming on YouTube.
Q: What is your name? AND Where are you currently located?
We are Edda, a French duo living in Paris.
Q: What’s the story behind your artist name?
Our songs tell imaginary, surreal adventures, similar to fairy tales. Edda is the name of our heroine who experiences all these adventures.
Q: How did you begin your journey into the world of music? AND How long have you been in the music industry?
Louise: We began our journey in the music industry somewhat haphazardly. Before meeting Tom, the idea of pursuing music professionally had never crossed my mind. I always loved singing, but I never felt particularly talented—it was just a hobby. A few weeks after we met, we were on the flat where he was living in Paris, and he started playing a riff on the guitar. I spontaneously began to sing, and that's how our first song, “Witches,” was born.
From there, we took a very DIY approach. We recorded in our living room, mixed the tracks ourselves, found venues to perform at, and even created a music video with the help of our closest friends. The music industry is still new to us, and we intentionally approach it in a naive and amateurish way. We're learning and growing on our own terms.
Q: What inspires you both as artists? Give us some insight into your creative process.
Louise: Our creative process is primarily based on automatic writing. We spend a lot of time searching for the right riffs and toplines using just a guitar. Then, the words flow naturally in a very unconscious way, and we keep only what feels right. We're not afraid to make multiple attempts until we find what sounds best. It’s a very intuitive process. We essentially write the entire song this way, deciding on the structure as we go. After that, Tom produces the track, adding all the other instruments.
We're inspired by traditional and ancient tales, as well as dystopian literature and films. We're working on creating our own imaginative world, with Edda as the central character.
Q: What's your favorite song you've released? AND Why?
Tom: My favorite song on the Edda album is “Witches,” and the music video is available on YouTube. I spent so much time producing it, always looking for ways to improve it. Initially, it was just a dreamy guitar melody with a percussion loop. Then, I wrapped Louise’s voice with mysterious and anxiety-inducing textures to illustrate her lyrics, which tell the story of a girl lost in the forest who encounters witches. Louise might deny it, but to me, it’s a metaphor for what she was experiencing when she wrote the song. The girl lost in the forest isn’t Edda; it’s Louise, who was coming to my place for the first time. The witches represent me, gradually inviting her to sing over my enchanting guitar melody, drawing her into my passion.
Q: What's an upcoming project or which event(s) are you excited about?
Louise: This year, 2024, marks the beginning of our journey in opening up to the world. We released our debut album, featuring eight tracks. Now, our focus is on enhancing our live shows to create an unforgettable experience for the audience. So far, we've only performed in France, but we're eager to expand internationally and that's one of the reasons why we're singing in English.
In the meantime, we already have so many new compositions that we're excited to share! We’ll be releasing two singles at the beginning of 2025, but we can't reveal much more than that just yet...
Q: We love to read and get inspired by lyrics. Share the title of a song and its lyrics (one of your favorite songs you've either written or released).
Anyone.
Louise: It holds a special place in my heart and it's a song whose true message might be missed without some explanation. On the surface, it seems to deal with loneliness, but there's much more to it. This song actually addresses the status of prostitutes and how overlooked they are in today's society. It highlights how they are left behind, yet it’s common for them to remain in the shadows. They give so much but rarely receive any real attention in return. The lyrics go:
I opened my arms when you found no one else to take you around guided by the perfume anyone, anyone, anyone, that’s left behind I’ll sew your scars until you find better a friend to go out and a phone full of numbers anyone, anyone, anyone, that’s left behind anyone, anyone, anyone, that’s left behind But who’s here for me after midnight? when there’s nothing but floor lamp lights when all the stars will have collide and my mattress is full of dahlias Take off your clothes and come by the door I’ll soothe your pain with what I’m made of anyone, anyone, anyone, that’s left behind anyone, anyone, anyone, that’s left behind But who’s here for me after midnight? when there’s nothing but floor lamp lights when all the stars will have collide and my mattress is full of dahlias
Q: What are your thoughts about the world of poetry?
Louise: Because of the way we studied literature in middle and high school, I always thought poetry was too complicated and outdated for me. But one day, I watched the movie Paterson (2016) by Jim Jarmusch, where the main character is a bus driver and poet. That film showed me that poetry can be simple, elegant, and capable of conveying incredible emotions with just a few words. Since then, I’ve embraced poetry in my daily readings.
The French poetess Andrée Chedid has been a significant inspiration for me, as well as Boris Vian, especially his famous poem "I Wouldn’t Want to Die."
Q: What’s one interesting fact that your listeners may not know about you?
Tom: Louise and I are from the same small town in France, but we never met until I was passing through Paris on my way to Estonia for a trip. She approached me because she thought she recognized me, and when she suggested we grab a drink, I had to tell her I couldn’t because I had a flight to catch. She replied, “Take my address, and send me a letter,” which I did. We corresponded for six months by letters, before meeting again.
Q: What was the last song you listened to that you recommend others check out?
Louise: We absolutely loved the song "Addition" by Claude—the ingenuity of the instrumental perfectly complements his soft yet haunting voice. From my interpretation of the lyrics, it captures the essence of anxiety in a remarkably accurate way. He managed to find the perfect words to describe a feeling that is deeply personal yet widely shared by so many people. We highly encourage you to give it a listen—you won't be disappointed!
Q: Who are some of your favorite artists and musicians that you listen to?
Louise: We draw inspiration from music all around the globe. We're influenced by the French band The Dø and the incredible Zaho de Sagazan, as well as the Porto-Cuban group The Marías, the Israeli artist Noga Erez, the Belgian musician Tamino, and the American duo Twenty One Pilots. Their styles are all very different, which explains the hybridity in our own music. Because we enjoy so many different genres, it's difficult for us to stick to just one or conform to a specific style.
To Check Out More of Edda’s Music Visit:
Instagram: @we.are.edda
Follow and listen to more on Spotify [Here]
Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@eddamusique
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/weareedda
Additional Credits [Banner Photo]: Cécile Béni
Any other thoughts, comments, or shares after listening and reading the interview?
[Interview Processed By VFORROW]
Thank you so much, Edda, for sharing and submitting to Dipity Lit Mag! ~ Jazz Marie Kaur (Vevna Forrow).
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