Barque Interview

1)    Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band these days?

We're currently focusing on composing new stuff, so far we have 3 new songs and we'd really like recording soon, maybe using those new songs for a split record.

2.How would you describe the musical sound of the new ep?

We recorded the EP live, we wanted something raw and gritty. Nico (Tarridec of BBK studio) really helped us in that way and their collaboration with Role (Mix/ mastering, die Tonmeisterei) developed that idea.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music?

The whole EP deals with the same topics : treason, deceit and resignation.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Barque'?

Our earlier stuff used to deal with nautical themes, it's still something we like but we wanted to focus on one thing for the whole EP. So when we had to get a band name, we proposed different ones, all sounded a bit pretentious, refering to big and powerful boats, so we joked about a tiny raw boat (in French Barque)

5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?

We had the opportunity to play really cool shows but our favourite one was in Gent (Belgium) last September with Absolutist and other nice bands. People were awesome and really dug our stuff, the encore was just crazy. We also had a blast at the Kalvaire in Dunkerque (our guitar player's hometown) The show at the underworld (London) with Oathbreaker was also cool, it just wasn't our best performance we got a little carried away by the enthusiasm of being there.

It's difficult to describe our own stage performance, we try to deliver something sincere without taking ourselves too seriously.

6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?

We have a few great shows / fests to come, in Northern France and Belgium.

7.Can you tell us a little bit more about the labels you have worked with on the new ep?

First we asked a few friends who run labels to see if they were up to it (Nevin of IFB, Tim of Dingleberry and Arne of Mosh Potatoes) then we decided to ask around if other people were interested and the responses surprised us, 8 more labels teamed up. (59SRS, Rakkerpak records, Rubaiyat records, Rip shit storm, Icore records, Cheap Talks, Insonnia Lunare and Longrail records) it was handled by Eastrain rec (our singer's label) It was a real pleasure to collaborate with all these people, everything went smoothly and we 're more then thankful for this, it was an awesome experience.

8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of crust and hardcore

Once again we were nicely surprised, all of our labels spread the news really fast and we got lots of positive reviews, even from the metal scene which we thought we were far from, but in the end I think we don't really belong in only one scene.

9.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

I think we found what we deeply want to do with our music. Going on blending the styles we like : hardcore / punk / screamo with more aggressive and darker patterns. We got a bit more particular about our writing.

10.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

We dig dark stuff and we're really fan of The Secret and This Gift Is A Curse, and purely  aggressive music like Trap Them or Nails. But most of us were also really into the screamo scene and their work on melodies (Envy, Orchid, Saetia...)

Nowadays, it's pretty much the same, personally  LLNN album « Loss »   is on repeat.

11.What are some of your non musical interests?

I'm fond of literature and I really like using my favourite books as references to write our lyrics. On an other level, our drummer is pretty into video games (great fan of Rocket League) I know it's not very special but human relationships are very important for us, we dig hanging around and having fun together.

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

Not much, we wanted to thank you very much for your time and for giving us the opportunity of sharing our music. Also thanks to all the people involved in this project : all the labels, all the people who set up a show or just came to hang out with us, people who reviewed the EP and of course our friends.