Photo credit: Paul Perrault
Hailing from different sides of the Parisian music scene, Crayon and Duñe , both started off as separate musical entities, but gained prominence as well by producing music. Due to this alikeness and a great friendship, they were able to seamlessly combine their talents to create Duñe x Crayon.
The multi genre inspired duo has gained comparisons to Thundercat, Flying Lotus and J Dilla and have worked with artists such as Ichon, Gracy Hopkins, Ph Trigano, Swing, Lossapardo, and Jadu Heart.
Duñe x Crayon will be releasing their latest album, _Hundred Fifty Roses_, on May 22, 2020. Combining the music styles of R&B, electronica, and gangster funk this album tells a tale of a man who is out of touch with himself in a world that is over-connected and over-stimulating. Each song in the album tells a part of this story.
Their newest single, ‘Save Yourself First’ is a soothing, yet upbeat atmospheric melody that combines electronic beats and jazz notes that mix with calming deep vocals. It tells the story of the album’s protagonist taking on the protector role.
I had the opportunity to ask the duo a few questions about the meaning of music to them, their choice of language within their lyricism, their latest music video for ‘Pointless,’ and other topics. Find the interview below:
**How did you two get into music?**
CRAYON : My stepdad was a bedroom producer before it was a thing – him and his friend had a singer/producer duo too actually. He quit before I knew him but I inherited some of his synths and a lot of records when I was a kid. Unfortunately, I couldn’t play so I kind of gave up until I turned 18 and got Ableton from my then roommate. I was a DJ for a year or two, mostly for my school prom actually.
DUÑE : I started very young thanks to my parents. I followed a classical musical training at the conservatory. But it was much later, during my high school years, that it became a real passion and I started making beats on my computer. Then, as it was difficult to find singers to collaborate with, I decided to sing by myself.
**What does electronic music mean to you guys?**
DUÑE : Electronic music isn't really a style anymore, it's part of all music. In my opinion, electronic music is the way to do it – to compose on a computer, whatever the style of music. And it's all thanks to the democratisation of home studio, internet, etc...
CRAYON : It means I can make a song from start to finish without having to record anything or even plug anything into my laptop.
**I read that before Duñe x Crayon, you two had solo careers. How did you meet and what was the point where you two knew you wanted to form a duo?**
DUÑE : We met at a festival in Paris where I was playing with my band Saje in 2015. But it was a few months after that we decided to do some music together. We became friends while spending time in the studio together. We used to hang out a lot in the studio together, and after a few months we had an EP. Our first common project. This duo came about naturally, it's the fruit of a friendship, we like to make music together. And even if we continue our solo projects on the side, we like to get together to make music. We've made a lot of progress and we've grown up together.
CRAYON : From briefly being a part of the same “scene”, Roche Musique, the sound you need Youtube’s channel/festival etc. It feels like forever ago.
**Why did you choose roses for the "Pointless" music video instead of any other flower or object and what is the significance of the roses**
CRAYON : In France, when ordering an escort online, prices are indicated in roses (to sort of fool the government I guess). We felt weirdly inspired by the antinomical nature of this as roses are a notorious symbol of romantic, faithful love. I think it’s because we look at the music we want to create in a similar way, capturing live elements and processing them through our computers. We like to create a clear contrast by making opposites meet.
DUÑE : Actually the rose is the symbol of our whole album. It's obviously the symbol of seduction, of unique, passionate and unfailing love. And we decided to use it to imitate a paradox.
**What was the motive for using both English and French in "Pointless?"**
DUÑE : In fact, it was done naturally, we didn't really decide to do it beforehand. We had this track, which was quite different at the time. Crayon was working with PH Trigano (another feature on the album) on ICHON's album, and he proposed to ICHON to go to one of our sessions. ICHON loved the song and did something in a few hours. In the end we were really proud of the result, and to have French language in our music. It's a mixture that is quite rare in the musical spectrum today. That's why we were so happy to have all this enthusiasm around the track.
CRAYON : Like Vincent said, it all happens just very naturally; we were simply not afraid to try and incorporate French music or any other languages and culture really, as long as it feels inspiring, and inspired. I’ve been a fan of Ichon for years so I was just super happy to get a verse from him on this track.
**What is the meaning of the title "Pointless?"**
CRAYON : It's about admitting that we have failures, weaknesses, not just as men but as humans. Sometimes you try and have some sort of self discipline but it just won't do. And there's beauty in that, in self acceptance. But we also wanted to look at the darker aspect of letting yourself go, of the consequences of being apathetic. I wanted to write about personal experiences on that matter but I realized in the process that again this was a perfect subject for Duñe to sing about.
**"Pointless" sounded like a mix of electronic music and RnB to me, so will you guys experiment with other types of music and other artists?**
CRAYON : For sure.
DUÑE : I think we've had to experiment a lot in our career as producer/composer. For me, trying things we wouldn't normally do is a way to reinvent ourselves. Soul, rap, trap, hip hop, rock, pop or disco, I think that all this background allows us to define more what we really want to show. Today, all rules have changed. When we listen to artists like Frank Ocean, Tame Impala, Childish Gambino or Tyler The Creator... we feel several influences and that's what's enjoyable. The most important thing is to always surprise ourselves. If you do this, you’re definitely going to surprise others. Between our first EP and the album, there's a real musical evolution.
**What is one artist you'd love to collaborate with?**
CRAYON : I would definitely love to score a Wes Anderson film
DUÑE : There are a lot of them but I would say Frank Ocean if I had to choose just one.
**What would you like to achieve through your music, if anything?**
DUÑE : I think it's very personal, the music has really helped me to define my identity and my place in this world. Just like cinema, painting, or other art forms, the goal is to share emotions, our emotions actually, through the text, the chords, the atmosphere. I think it's especially to have the opportunity to do it all my life, and to always take as much pleasure to do it. And of course to transmit these emotions live as well, and meet more and more people.
CRAYON : Inner peace :)
Pre-order the album here: [https://hundredfiftyroses.com/](https://hundredfiftyroses.com)
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