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Starwalker is French electro-pop trailblazer Jean-Benoit Dunckel and acclaimed Icelandic composer Barði Jóhannsson, together these two musical innovators have created pure sonic goodness with intergalactic instrumentation and bright keys. The pair recently dropped their self-titled debut album, a ten track project that reflects a singular musical vision from the two. GroundSounds recently caught up with Starwalker to talk about their latest work, musical inspirations and more, check out the exclusive interview below.
The coming-together of two musical innovators…how did you guys end up joining forces and collaborating?
BJ : We had briefly met a few years ago. In 2011 a mutual friend did a proper introduction and we met up for coffee. After that we decided to try to work on one song. The first song we did was Bad Weather that is on our new LP. After that we wanted to give it another try and then we ended up with a lot of songs and a band.
JB : I think that electronic music nowadays is the jazz of 2016 and in these styles of music, the musicians like to playwith each other. In the 40s they were sharing themes and melodies by playing in music hall acts. No, they exchange files.
What made you guys decide on the moniker Starwalker?
BJ : We wanted a band name that would capture the sound and emotion of our music. The songs have a lot of space references musically and lyrically. We are floating in music space. Starwalker was perfect. It is like when you give a child a name, it feels like the band was meant to be called Starwalker.
JB : I believe in power of phonetics and this sounds good.
Can you tell us about working on and bringing your debut self-titled album to fruition?
BJ : We mostly worked in the Atlas studio of Air in Paris. Since we live in seperate countries we had to plan our songwriting sessions quite in advance. We did a few days in a row every few months. It is a great way to work on an album because we always had space in between to come back to it and we were fresh when we met again. It was important for us to be in the same room during the creation. There was only one song that JB had brought to the collaboration that he had previously worked on. When we had all the songs almost ready we did a few overdubs separately. This album was made in full collaboration.
JB : Yes it was intense recording in the studio then doing nothing for one month, so we thought a lot about it during that time.
Can you tell us about the creative and writing process involved with “Holidays?”
BJ : This track was the one that JB had previously worked on and had brought the basic elements to work further on. Later, we added more melodies and instruments and productions.
JB : It’s the most borderline track I worked on because it’s very happy. I felt that this one was catchy but naive. We entered into this style and made it super groovy to help and to change it in a child-like funk.
We are definitely diggin’ the visuals for “Holidays”, where did the concept come from? Where did the robot come from?
BJ : After shooting two videos in Iceland, one in Paris, and then one we had shot for us in Colombia, we decided to work on a competition with Genero TV. The song was given to directors and they could make a video for a price. The robot video was a perfect fit and we added a few scenes into it afterwards to give a bit more humour to it.
JB : Yes, the music found its director. There were also good videos on Genero TV but we felt this one was suprising and comtempory looking.
What is it about electro-pop that attracts you guys to this sound?
BJ : I studied electric guitar when I was a teenager. I liked writing songs but didn’t enjoy playing songs others had written. Later on I got my first ATARI ST computer and Cubase with an AKAI sampler. This was something I found very interesting, at that time I listened to hip hop and hard rock. Little by little, I got into using computers, keyboards and adding live recordings. This was a universe I quickly connected to. Now I like to have as much hand played as possible, the Starwalker album is all performed live even though it sounds sometimes programmed, this is due to JB’s keyboard skills. Nothing compares to real analogue sound, I recently got a hold of Eventide plugin pack for mixing and recording and is currently using it and love it.
JB : It’s the possibilty to make songs in a very new unique way. Electronic instruments can bring new styles. But the musical power comes from human imagination and not computer skills.
What inspired the track “Radio?”
BJ : Radio is a song written when we were feeling a bit groovy and funky. There is a lot of references in the lyrics, references to the 80s laid back style, and also describes how music is life. Music can be your best friend that always stands by you and never leaves. It’s ready to listen every time you have something to say.
JB : I don’t know but each time I listen to this song I see a black sports car driving on a California roadway. And we worked the beat so hard to make it shiny and crisp.
What bands/musicians are you guys currently listening to?
BJ : I regularly listen to Arvo Part and the Vangelis album L’Apocalypse Des Animaux. Some of Lana Del Ray and Spiritualized. Recently I also rediscovered my Death albums from when I was in my late teens.
JB : Oneohtrix Point Never, yes Lana Del Rey also. I really love her too.
What’s next for Starwalker, what can fans look forward to?
BJ : We are following up on the new album and planning the next.
JB : We follow our destiny and we need the feedback of the fan to understand we could do next.
