T.H.E Interview – AstroVoyager

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astrovoyager interview

We caught up with revered French artist AstroVoyager (real name Philippe Fagnoni) to discuss his latest release ‘We Can Change Our Way’ EP.

Closing out his Big Bang artist album in fitting style, this euphoric & rhythmic track is one that is full of hope – so poignant during these challenging times. Check out what went down below.

AstroVoyager Interview

T.H.E – Welcome to T.H.E – Music Essentials, Philippe! We hope to find you well – how are you finding things, can you tell us a little about what you’re up to right now?

AstroVoyager – Hey guys. Thanks for having me at T.H.E – Music Essentials. I am doing fine and hope you are keeping well too. Right now, I’m working on my forthcoming project… but all recording sessions have been postponed due to coronavirus lock down. However, the good news is that my latest single has just dropped, ‘We Can Change our Way’

T.H.E – Can you share with us the meaning & inspiration behind your extended player – ‘We Can Change Our Way’?

AstroVoyager – Calendar coincidence… This song was released just as the lock down started here in France. In fact, it’s only slightly altered from my original idea… a different kind of Big Bang is what we have in store for today’s world. But I think we must be the architect of our future. We must take care of each other right now and after build a new world together. ‘We Can Change our Way’

You have enlisted two great French singers on the track, how did the collaborations with Taïga & Jean-Paul Florès come about?

AstroVoyager – This song is part of my Big Bang album recorded with the Prague Concert Philharmonic. Behind the 11 electronic & orchestral tracks you will find 3 songs. The first one ‘Tomorrow is a Mystery’ – featuring Jean-Paul Florès (He is also a great guitarist!) and the second is ‘Architect’ – featuring Taïga. We originally met during the after shows and also because we frequented the same recording studios / music stores. At the beginning of the Big Bang project, ‘We Can Change our Way’ had not even been written yet but for the conclusion of the Big Bang project came the idea of a final song where their two voices meet with a message of hope… and the result was, ‘We Can Change our Way’! We also followed this concept for the music videos of all three songs, which finally came together in a short movie.

T.H.E – We also dig the switch up in vibe Charlie Atom brings with his remix of the track – was there a particular sound you were looking for when selecting a remixer?

AstroVoyager – Especially for this track, I was looking for something totally different from the Uplifting / Progressive Trance Universe of my original version. I was listening to a lot of Deep House and Tropical House music when searching for a remixer for this track. Then came one artist again and again in my playlist… Charlie Atom! He is an electronic dance music producer from Mexico, so we arranged remote studio sessions and here is the result! I’m really fulfilled by all the collaborations with other musicians while remixing the whole LP… it brings many different perspectives of the Big Bang!

T.H.E – As you mentioned, it also marks the final part of your Big Bang LP – do you have a favourite track on the album & why?

AstroVoyager – Each track is different… I love them all… But I really like playing on stage ‘Nuclei’ and ‘Tomorrow is a Mystery’ … And in a totally different Pink Floyd style, ‘Life Mosaic’ because of the energy and communication with the audience while playing this one.

T.H.E – We love how you incorporate orchestral & symphonic music into your electronic style – how would you describe your signature sound and also the sound of your CosmXPloreR label? Have they developed over the years and how do they interact with each other?

AstroVoyager – For sure, there is no rule at CosmXploreR apart this one: merging electronic and acoustic instruments. No matter the style… It’s electronic music first of all, drawing inspiration from multiple genres – from classical to rock. Here is our musical signature! In fact, we started with musical projects where acoustic sounds were recreated by synthesizers… but people were wondering, especially after my first live performances 15 years ago, “It would be great if you could bring with you real musicians…”  so gradually (with the support of my fans) I was fortunate enough to take this idea further… firstly to record and play projects with a solo soprano diva, then a string quartet and eventually… a full Philharmonic Orchestra! The dream became a reality.

T.H.E – You’ve built a successful & varied career in the music over the years – What first inspired you to get into the scene as a producer/DJ & what advice do you wish you’d been given when starting out?

AstroVoyager – The first and only thing that inspires me is life and the world in which we live in… and with it, the powerful sensation of communication between people – audiences and musicians when playing live… I think we can transmit all types of emotions and messages through music… So, the only advice I wish I’ve been given when starting out is: Embrace who you are & make the sound you like first. 

T.H.E – And finally, looking ahead across the remainder of 2020 – what are your biggest goals as an artist & for your label?

AstroVoyager – This is such an uncertain time in the world amidst the Global Covid-19 Pandemic…  Especially the impact for the cultural & creative sectors… I think as artists we must think first to provide comfort and hope to people fighting against this virus. Then as a label and show producer, I think we must think about different ways to share our music and emotions now…  even if it is only on a temporary basis. Trying to pursue our musical journey and sharing it with the whole universe.
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We have made a special playlist to help you stay engaged, and stay at home during this lockdown, you can stream it here.

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