Self-Discipline blends Indian folk and metal to explore spirituality, self-discovery, and universal connection. With Otherness releasing in 2025, the project inspires introspection through its rich cultural and emotional depth.
1. "We
Are One with the Universe" introduces listeners to your unique blend of
Indian folk and metal. Can you share the story behind this song and what
inspired its creation?
For this
song, as for the whole EP, the creative process was very natural, nothing was
forced. I didn't plug in my guitar thinking I was going to make metal with
Indian influences. This culture had already had a significant beneficial impact
on my life in many ways, and that's what made me want to make music again. I
very quickly tried to integrate tablas into the compositions, then other
percussions like the dhol, the dholak, then little by little the harmonium, the
sitar and its natural distortion, the tumbi, traditional songs... The lyrics
could only be linked to this very strong cultural identity addressing themes
like self-knowledge, inner freedom or the connection between the individual and
the universe...
2. Your
debut EP Otherness is set to release in 2025. What themes and
messages do you hope to convey through this project?
These songs
offer a holistic perspective on one's place in the world, bringing to the fore
ideas of connection, observation, awareness and intention that come together to
form a musical experience rich with profound meaning. It was also
important to address the observation of nature and cosmic cycles, inviting
contemplative reflection on our environment and our place in the world, the
power of intention, personal development, highlighting the link between
thought, intention and reality.
3. Indian
folk influences play a significant role in your music. What drew you to these
traditional sounds, and how do you incorporate instruments like the sitar and
tabla into your compositions?
As for the
first question, this culture has had many influences on my life for a while
now. I became familiar with these instruments through the music of Krishna Das
in particular, then by becoming interested in traditional folk I discovered
many instruments that I did not know and that fit perfectly with my project.
4. Meditation
and self-reflection are central to your creative process. Can you walk us
through how these practices influence your songwriting and the emotions you aim
to capture?
Daily
meditation and introspection helped me identify my values, know who I was
inside, and be in tune with the place I wanted to occupy in the world by
cutting limiting family, social and spiritual thought patterns. Finally, I
realized through all this work that the biggest obstacle to my progress in life
was me...
5. The
concept of spirituality and its harmony with physics is a recurring theme in
your work. How do you approach blending these seemingly distinct worlds in your
music and lyrics?
There are
many concepts that are common to spirituality and science, through symbolism in
particular, and that have fascinated me for a long time. Sacred geometry,
vibrational frequencies, knowledge of cosmic cycles, all the scientific
concepts that I found interesting resonated with my spiritual knowledge. So in
the end the two are linked, one complementary to the other.
6. Your
influences span from My Sleeping Karma to Sepultura. How do you balance the
aggressive energy of metal with the meditative elements of Indian folk?
I
work mainly according to my emotional feelings. I like to go from rage to
melancholy but I let myself be guided by what I feel I have no objective.
7. As a
solo artist, how do you navigate the challenges of crafting a cohesive sound
and vision for Self-Discipline? Are there any collaborators who have supported
you along the way?
As a solo
artist, how do you manage to meet the challenges of creating a coherent sound
and vision for Self-Discipline? Are there any collaborators who have supported
you along the way?
This project was therapeutic for me, it kept me from sinking. I set myself
goals and pushed my limits throughout the creative process. I was then able to
compose, record and mix the EP, but also the artwork and web design. I was
supported by Etienne from the Coups de Couteau label for promotion and
distribution and by Ténèbre Audio for mastering.
8. The
EP title Otherness suggests themes of difference and
separation. How does this concept tie into your journey of self-discipline and
self-discovery?
No, the
title evokes a philosophical concept according to Jiddu Krishnamurti.
(1895-1986)
(...) "The essential inexplicability of the sacred is one of its main
characteristics." J.K.
"Krishnamurti uses a variety of terms to designate it, none of them
entirely up to the task. Most often, he simply calls it "the other"
or "this otherness"
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9. What
role do you hope Self-Discipline will play for your listeners? Is there a
particular emotional or spiritual journey you want them to experience through
your music?
Self-Discipline
seeks to inspire its audience to reflect on their lives and find a path to
personal, spiritual growth, and inner freedom.
10. With
"We Are One with the Universe" now available and Otherness on
the horizon, what’s next for Self-Discipline? Are there plans for live
performances or further explorations of new musical territories?
I’ve
been thinking about this a lot since the EP was finished. Nothing has been
decided yet, we’ll wait for the release in a few months and see then.
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