We spoke to new band We Were Evergreen and tried not to practise our terrible French on them
Stylish, chic and above all French, the good-looking trio We Were Evergreen sound peppy and light in their current promo tracks such as ‘Leeway’ but in concert add a layer of deeper, darker electronica to their sound. Currently working on an album with production maestro Charlie Andrews (Alt J), that record promises to be an intriguing amalgamation of musical influences. Judging by the crowd at their Village Underground gig in Shoreditch this month, this band look set to be big…
What brought you to London from Paris?
We reached a point in Paris where we had done the whole rough pubs and stages, we were really lucky to get the occasion to play an acoustic session for Sofa Sounds and it went really well. We were impressed with the scene with so many bands so we brought from France the experience of gigging but we were curious too.
Was it hard readapting to London?
When we arrived it was rock, bass and Interpol kind of music, so at the beginning we didn’t know if our music would appeal to a lot of people but then we gained some followers and grew organically for about a year.
How would you describe your music?
Charlie Andrews is changing things. We’re keeping the original acoustic instruments and Fabienne has xylophone and keyboards, Williams has all the rhythms and bass, and we’re going to a darker blend of these things. Deeper, gaining depth.
You say you write universal songs, how do you keep this universality?
We are a trio and its is quite a democratic band, It’s easier to create something that speaks to more people when there are already three different points of view, it can’t be a crazy one direction!
And finally, what is the We Were Evergreen lens of seeing the world?
-4.5! No, it’s a bit like the Wilderness festival: people going crazy, meeting other people, fancy dress, sharing food and drinks. Creative, imaginative, magical.
