Movement at Night is revealing his debut album!

Clément from Movement at Night has been featured a few times on Distrolution now. On the occasion of the release of his debut album, we had the opportunity to interview him. With its 90s inspirations and serious themes, this album is definitely a must-hear on the pop-punk scene.

Hello Clément! Please tell us about the origins of Movement At Night. What inspired you to delve into the world of music?

Hi Valentine! I’ve always been a big music fan since a very young age, but I started my musical journey when I was 13. A friend of my parents lent me a guitar and I began learning on my own in my room, trying to play songs by my favorite artists like Nirvana, Sum 41, Blink 182, Linkin Park, and even Marilyn Manson.

At the age of 15, I founded my first band. After playing quite a few covers, the desire to compose and perform my own pieces came fairly quickly, and I haven’t stopped ever since.

After being involved in several musical projects, in rather different styles (Pop Punk/Pop/Folk/ Ambient…), I wanted to return to the roots of what has always inspired me, and that’s how Movement At Night saw the light of day.

Your music is described as a fusion of “emotional indie and loud pop punk, with a nostalgic nod to the 90s”. What draws you to these particular genres?

Well, I’m a child of the 90s. I grew up with its pop culture and that of the late 80s, which still inspires me today, especially with Spielberg’s universe (The Goonies, E.T…), of which I’m still a huge fan.

I was fortunate to witness a major new wave in Pop-Punk/Rock Alternative/Neo Metal culture in the late 90s and early 2000s, with bands like Blink 182, Sum 41, Linkin Park, System Of A Down, and many more… that accompanied me and that I still listen to today.

In general, I’ve always listened to very different musical styles from which I draw my inspiration. So, it’s always difficult for me to describe my music because it blends a lot of influences.

Your debut album, “Failed By Choice”, is undoubtedly a significant milestone in your musical journey. Can you dig into the themes and inspirations behind this record?

Indeed, this album represents 7 years of introspection, including a year of relentless work to bring this album to life. It’s a very personal album that addresses important themes for me: anxiety, insomnia, mental health issues. These are issues that have accompanied me and continue to do so, but I channel them through my lyrics and compositions.

However, at times, I chose to counterbalance these melancholic themes by composing cheerful and uplifting melodies to convey a sense of hope and resilience transparently. What was important to me during the production of ‘Failed by Choice’ was that the sincerity behind each track could be heard, and that we retained the authenticity of the entirely ‘home-made’ production.

It’s intriguing to hear that insomnia played a role in inspiring your music. Could you elaborate on how this seemingly negative aspect of life turned into a source of creativity and inspiration for you?

I have been suffering from insomnia for years, and very often, I can’t seem to shut off my brain. It can be challenging to deal with on a daily basis, but it’s often in those moments that I find inspiration, and my ideas eventually become clearer. That’s also why I chose the name ‘Movement At Night’ for this project. It’s once again about trying to find the positive in difficult times, trying to learn to live with it.

What are your hopes and aspirations for this record? What kind of impact do you envision it having on your audience?

First and foremost, I do hope that they will enjoy it, that they will recognize my influences, and perhaps see themselves in the themes I’ve explored.

As I mentioned, this album is the culmination of a year of hard work, entirely self-produced, covering everything from composition to production, visuals, and communication. I’ve been fortunate to have the assistance of two friends, Guillaume Fouques and Roman Peyrachon, who have been with me since the beginning of the project, helping with the production and realization of these tracks.

Without them, all this work wouldn’t have been possible. They provided the support and perspective I needed.

You’ve said on several occasions that you are influenced by the 90s. Do you own anything from that era?

Haha, yes! I still skate! Skateboarding has always been there alongside my music, although these days I find less time for it 😉 I still have some old skateboards from those years, as well as a collection of 90s films, posters, and magazines.

As we wrap up, what can your fans look forward to in the coming months? Any exciting plans for live performances or future projects you’d like to share?

Absolutely! I’m currently preparing the project for concerts in 2024. We’re taking the time to do things right so that we can offer the best live experience. I’m really looking forward to seeing these songs come to life on stage and sharing them with an audience.

We’re also releasing the album on CD! ‘Failed by Choice’ will be available for online purchase starting from its official release on September 15th 2023, on the Movement At Night Bandcamp page. The album will also be available on all streaming platforms.