Les grandes vacances (summer holidays) - short interview with Binary Sunset
With the summer holidays approaching (at least for Reverb Dream), I thought it would be fitting to interview Felix, the bassist and singer from the band, Binary Sunset. I have listened to their latest album, les grandes vacances (released on Oh, Sister Records) as well as their three previous EPs (Trans-en-Provence (FR), verres teintés and la vie lente) a lot this summer. I have the feeling that their discography will continue to be played a lot during future summers next to some of my regular go-to summer albums such as 28.08 from Des Roses, Somersault from Beach Fossils, Nothing’s Shocking from Jane’s Addiction.
To celebrate les grandes vacances (summer holidays in English), all the questions are based loosely on the song titles from the album. Furthermore, the band will also be celebrating the album’s release on Saturday 14th September at Konzerthaus Schüür in Lucerne - I have put the links to the event and tickets in the Links section after the interview. I would like to thank Felix for his replies and I look forward to organising a more-detailed interview soon with him!
1. En route / Which songs/albums/artists do you listen to when you're on your way to your summer holidays to get you in the holiday mood?
It would be exciting to hear what the other band members have to say. My personal favorite summer band is Mystic Braves. But I also listen to Olivia Rodrigo's albums a lot. If I want something a little harder, Glow On by Turnstile or the albums by Enter Shikari. Somehow this gives me an extra good mood in the summer.
2. Maillot de bain / Along with your swimwear, what are the most essential items you need to take with you on holiday in France?
Easy! Sunglasses.
3. Pas de fleurs (feat. Nurit from Lola Boum) / You meet your holiday romance in France and it's love at first sight, which Binary Sunset song would you play to impress her?
Of course I would play “pas de fleurs” to her. After all, this song is about a summer romance. The two crushes missed giving each other flowers.
4. Lotto / You have the possibility to invite all your closest friends and family to a city/town in France on the coast - which one would you choose and why?
Guéthary. Good waves and less hectic than Biarritz. I'm not sure they would enjoy it as much as I did though.
5. Grand départ / What is your ideal type of holiday? Relaxation at the beach/pool? Adventure? Other?
That is very different. Sometimes I just want to surf, sometimes it has to be a cycling holiday. Last week in Italy we just ate Pasta and played "Magic" until late at night. Those were really nice holidays too. In general, however, I feel more alive when I move outside a lot. Though, I've also thought about just taking a vacation to play computer games.
6. Les locales / You are trying to communicate with the locals in France, which Binary Sunset song would you play to show the locals that you're in a band?
I'm not sure if it'd be a good idea to show the locals that I'm singing in a band that sings totally fake French. But I would sing Venu d'en haut to them simply because it's the funniest lyric.
7. Venu d'en haut / What have been your most memorable moments/highlights from going to France on holiday?
That was in September 2019. It was my birthday and the best surf session of my life. There were a lot of people in the water but Dimi and I had been on the road for so long that we got all the waves we wanted. Afterwards we ate cheap Tortilla in the van, great day!
8. Vagues bizarres / What have been your most weirdest moments on holiday in France?
There was a parking lot where we slept. Every morning a guy would drive up in his convertible and always listen to Young Turks by Rod Stewart. He went into the water absolutely euphoric, never caught a wave but had the time of his life. Inspirational guy.
9. Outro / Which songs/albums/artists do you listen to when the post-holiday blues kick in?
There was a summer when I was in Stockholm, sitting in the park and happened to hear the song Emmylou by First Aid Kit. The line “Oh the bitter winds are coming in and I’m already missing the summer” hit me hard. Since then, this song has been associated with post-holiday blues for me. There was another band that somehow hit the nerve for the melancholy after the summer: the album Catch Without Arms by Dredg and especially the song, Ode to the Sun.
Links:
Record release show details - Konzerthaus Schüür website / Tickets
Some videos of the band: