Nice Premium: Tell us how you became a singer.
Auren: Trained as a pianist and passionate about music from a young age, singing became my escape during my higher education… Then an obvious choice, then an obsession when I started writing my own songs…
Stéphane Mondino: I’ve been a fan of Daniel Balavoine from a very young age. My father passed on his love for song to me. One night, as a teenager, I transformed into a singer and left school. It’s been lasting for 16 years, no other transformations in sight…
NP: Your firsts:
-first song performed:
Auren: “La bohème” in duet with my father on my 20th birthday!!!
Stéphane Mondino: “Le chanteur” D. Balavoine, 3 years old
-first song written:
Auren: “La première note”
Stéphane Mondino: “Vietnam” inaudible…
-first stage:
Auren: January 19, 2006, at La Grange aux belles in Paris
Stéphane Mondino: at my parents’ place, a dining room transformed into a zenith, three spotlights, 30 classmates, and candy distribution during intermission… it was in 1988
-first instrument:
Auren: the piano
Stéphane Mondino: one-finger piano
-first important encounter in your profession:
Auren: Paul Ives, my mentor composer, then Michael Jones! Impossible to name just one meeting as both are crucial and essential in my artistic journey.
Stéphane Mondino: as a child, Daniel Balavoine. As a teenager, Alice Dona. As a grown child, Francis Cabrel
-first visit to the French Riviera:
Auren: My first visit: when I was a student at EDHEC in Nice from 2000 to 2002. Otherwise, as an artist on May 14, 2007, at the Théâtre de la Tour, opening for Stéphane Mondino.
Stéphane Mondino: 1995, in Cassis but I think that’s not yet the French Riviera… however I can tell you about my trips to Brittany
NP: Your lasts:
-last artist dream:
Auren: To perform at the Olympia, followed by a 50-date tour … And a duet with Tom Chaplin, the singer of Keane
Stéphane Mondino: a dressing room with a jar of peanuts
-last artistic crush:
Auren: No Jazz
Stéphane Mondino: Elliot Smith, Shadow Parade, and Stanislas’s latest song “Le manège” very beautiful…
-last album bought:
Auren: Katie Melua
Stéphane Mondino: Paul McCartney but it’s not great
-last concert attended:
Auren: Zazie
Stéphane Mondino: Marie Cherrier
-last visit to the French Riviera:
Auren: last weekend, to rehearse with my guitarist who is from Nice!
Stéphane Mondino: May 14, 2007, I played at the Théâtre de la Tour in Nice and on June 30 to play rugby at the RRCN Tournament. I’ve returned since but it doesn’t count as I was in disguise.
NP: Auren, how would you define Stéphane Mondino’s style?
Auren: Pop-rock, super songwriter, super melodist, I love it!
NP: Stéphane, how would you define Auren’s style?
Stéphane Mondino: Beautiful French variety with a pop touch, a little bit like early Balavoine which I really don’t mind…
NP: Auren, which song from your repertoire could Stéphane perform?
Auren: “Retenir la passion”
NP: Stéphane, which song from your repertoire could Auren perform?
Stéphane Mondino: “Du bonheur du côté de chez toi”
NP: What will be your news in 2008?
Auren: Release of my first album, promotion, solo concerts, and opening for Michael Jones…
Stéphane Mondino: on stage, I hope the release of my next album “les vents tourneront”…
NP: Even if the year isn’t over, what do you remember from 2007?
Auren: The year of change for me, I quit my job to focus solely on my project, working on my voice, piano, lyrics, and music. Also, the stage, with nearly 30 concerts, opening for Michaël Jones and the EL CLUB band, the magical encounter with the public and the first fans. Starting work in the studio and collaborating with Michaël Jones. And also, the death of my composer and mentor Paul Ives, I will dedicate my album to him, his disappearance was a real shock but I am sure that from up there he hears me! A tribute concert will take place on November 20 in Paris at the Espace Jemappes.
Stéphane Mondino: a difficult year, my last album “roll over” did not gain the expected attention… The media are increasingly hard to convince and the market is tough. The rare spots are taken by laundry sellers… I feel like it has always been difficult even in the times of our elders, Ferré, Brassens… You have to fight, there are also great people who encourage us. It was also a year of changes and the first recorded notes of the next opus.
NP: You are going to perform on a stage in Nice (Théâtre de l’impasse) for several days. What do these concerts mean to you?
Auren: These concerts are very important to me because it’s the first time I’m playing my entire repertoire and that I’m the headliner! I will be accompanied by Pierre my guitarist and I’m also very lucky because Paul Baile, a highly talented saxophonist, will join us on some evenings for a few titles! So it’s a first!!! I really can’t wait.
Stéphane Mondino: It’s fantastic to think that we’re in a venue for four days. At my small level, we rarely exceed two evenings. So it’s a good way to “bring this show to life” in different ways and then in Nice I’m very close to my country of origin…
NP: How do you view the Nice music scene from Paris? Who do you know?
Auren: I know little about the Nice scene… Except for the Rock band Solid State because my guitarist is in it… The group is currently preparing its 2nd album.
Stéphane Mondino: Not many people, sorry. Jenifer? Is she from Nice? However, if we’re talking about real songs I think every region has its gems. You will make me discover them…
NP: Finally, what would you like to say to the Nice audience?
Auren: I hope many will come. I can’t wait to introduce them to my universe, to share my passion, and my love for music. And above all, THANK YOU for your support…
Stéphane Mondino: a toutara
www.myspace.com/culturesocca06
