With 13 dates left in his Spring European tour (and more dates in Summer), Chilly Gonzales was interviewed by “Sud Ouest” (South West), which covers news for 50 towns and villages in regional France.
In the interview, Gonzales reveals that, for him, the best way to connect with rappers or electro artists (e.g. Daft Punk and Drake) is through the piano – though lush harmonies that bring a ‘human’ element to the otherwise programmed sound. In some ways, incorporating the ‘voice’ of the piano and Gonzales’ harmonies provides electro-based songs with a ‘soul’.
When asked for musical influences, Gonzales affirms his influence from Erik Satie, but adds that Satie was also a humourous man who went ‘against the grain’ in music as well as other areas of life, and those qualities are also influential. Other influences include Scarlatti, Brahms, Franck, Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk, the latter two more for their ‘affected nonchalance’.
The interviewer asks Gonzales about the contradiction between serious solo piano music, and his humourous reputation. Gonzales responds that there is humour within Solo Piano – it’s just a bit more subtle. He also states that humour, when used effectively, balances out the seriousness of a composition.
Some of the last comments from the interview revolve around recording Solo Piano II, and Gonzales reveals that recording something that is inherently imperfect sounds more perfect to our ears (how true)! He also indicates that he wants to continue to compose and record more music in the solo piano genre, and that there will “no doubt be a Solo Piano III or a Solo Piano IV album. »
That’s fantastic news for everyone who loves Gonzales’ music!
Finally, in response to the interviewer’s question around the original of the “Chilly Gonzales” pseudonym, he replies that with a name like Chilly Gonzales, audiences will have no doubt that they are going to see a show!
Gonzales’ shows are addictive and highly recommended; tickets for upcoming shows are available off Chilly Gonzales’ website.