Frenchman Leohnart made an impressive return to XYZ last month, delivering a beautiful four-track EP titled ‘Perspective’ on the SOL imprint. The Montreal-based artist showcased his signature introspective touch supremely, offering up a collection of deep and downtempo cuts that fused tribal rhythms, delicate atmospheric touches and emotive, entrancing synthwork. This week, we caught up with the rising artist to get the lowdown on the release, recent projects and all that’s on the horizon. Check it out below!
WWD: Where are you right now and what’s been on your agenda this week?
The last few years have been pretty intense professionally, so I decided to spend a winter a little bit more chill and give myself more time on a personal and artistic level. Right now, I spend my days reading, producing, learning new things, thinking about new projects, and preparing for the upcoming summer season.
WWD: How did the pandemic experience affect your life and your art over the last 2 years?
The lack of social life hasn’t been easy and I spent 2 years without seeing my family. On an artistic level, the lack of visibility and continuity in cultural life has been quite difficult to live with as well. But it definitely gave me more time to compose and produce new tracks. I also took the opportunity to take a step back from my life and the world we live in, a lot of introspection during this period.
WWD: Your new EP ‘Perspective’ is out now on SOL. How would you describe the EP in your own words?
This new EP is a change of perspective on the past, the present, the future. Another way of conceiving the world around me, my life, my music. So, I tried to transcribe all these thoughts musically and bring more lightness to some songs too. After having evolved over the last few years and taking a step back from the path traveled, I think I produced a project that really resembles me.
WWD: How do you decide when a track is done? Do you have a completion process in the studio?
First of all, I like to give free flow to my imagination and inspiration. I produce loops by testing associations of rhythmic elements, sounds. Once I consider I have found the soul of my song I start making some arrangements and mixing some sounds. After several listenings, if I consider that the track is worth releasing, I finalize the arrangements and the mix part by refining certain details.
WWD: What artists have you been listening to as of late?
As of late, I’ve been listening a lot to Rohne, Jacob Groening, il:lo, Slumb, Emancipator (I really like all the artists from Loci Records). I also really liked the last respective albums of Tor and Bonobo which are real sources of inspiration.
WWD: Are there any dream destinations or venues on your hit-list to experience as a performer?
Coming from France, it would be awesome to get the opportunity to go back there one day as part of a small European tour. Otherwise, I don’t really have a preference, every opportunity to make my music travel will make me very happy.
WWD: What are you hoping to accomplish this year? Do you have any other exciting projects coming up?
I’m currently collaborating with the Illusion festival team on a video project for which I composed a track. I can’t tell more for the moment but I can’t wait to show you. Then, I want to finalize my new live set with my new material. I can’t wait to be able to present it to people. Finally, I will probably release some remixes or edits and begin preparing a new EP.
Stream/Download the ‘Perspective’ EP here: https://solxyz.lnk.to/perspective
Follow: Leohnart