Guy de Lussigny wants to make the Nice music scene shine with “Nice listens local”

The “Nice Listens Local” project aims to integrate musical creations by Nice-based artists into shops in the Azure Coast city. Guy de Lussigny’s initiative seeks to promote the local music scene, in order to overcome the complexity of establishing oneself as an emerging artist.

Bars, restaurants, rooftops and hotels can be genuine springboards for musicians and performers. A first pilot was launched around the album “Después Del Ruido” by Guy de Lussigny. Five Nice establishments were chosen for their ambiance and their relationship with music. As the project’s driving force, the album’s author personalized the proposals by adapting them to a specific time of day.

“Nice Listens Local” is intended to expand to other local artists. “In parallel, I began trying to find Nice-based artists to invite them to join the project,” declared Guy de Lussigny. Both a musician and writer, this artist evoked the difficulties of finding his place on the local music scene: “I shouldn’t be the only one in this situation.”

A Cultural Initiative in Progress

The designer of “Nice Listens Local” determined the establishments based on their attendance and location. “I’m starting with five shops, but this is meant to expand,” assured the musician. The proposals presented are personalized according to locations, such as the Old Town or the Promenade des Anglais. The choice of music offered is based on two options: the sounds were written for the occasion or they have already been published but align with the venue’s ambiance.

In his music, as in his books, Guy de Lussigny draws inspiration from the Azure Coast city and the region. His creations are based on his feelings when he finds himself in these places. “People write about beauty, about love, about time, about atmosphere, about being with friends, at a good table or on a terrace. Observing the city and the people around us is rather interesting,” he confided. The project’s lead explained using artificial intelligence tools to know if music appeals to people, based on the number and type of comments, as well as statistics. “This allows me to better target my commercial approach,” he clarified.

For now, the establishments have not yet responded to this Nice-based artist. The intent of these initial proposals is to be able to adapt: “based on feedback, I could modify the texts or the approach,” explained the author and composer of “Después Del Ruido“. The role of music in a venue is decisive since it shapes its identity. “Sound ambiance is part of what attracts customers, it’s up to the owner to see if it matches them,” added Guy de Lussigny. He composes music blending dub, electronic reggae and Latin influences.

Local Artists Seeking Visibility

“Today, we can write and publish but gaining recognition is much more difficult,” confided Guy de Lussigny. Local artists play a role in building a city’s cultural identity. “When we write about Nice, why not make ourselves known to Nice residents and visitors,” he added.

For several years, social media has allowed local artists to gain visibility. Yet economic challenges constitute a real obstacle to the recognition of these talents. “Lots of bands perform in specialized bars, but to perform, you either need to be lucky or have money,” lamented the musician. “If you don’t have millions of euros to spend on advertising, you have to try to be creative and that’s what I’m trying to do,” added Guy.

Shops can also play a decisive role in promoting music. “In all restaurants, music is playing and often if I hear music I like, I take out my phone and Shazam it (a music search application – Editor’s note) to listen to it,” admitted the musician. These venues become genuine levers in valorizing the local music scene.