Four boys in the wind of society. One is a DJ, two work in a shoe store, and the fourth is in hospitality. Vladimir, Renaud, Alex, and Patrick have been playing together since 1998. They live in Nice, friends in life and on stage, with different personalities and experiences. Patrick has a degree in Socio-Ethnology. Renaud could have been a Spanish teacher. Alex, with diplomat parents, has traveled extensively, especially in Peru and Canada. Vladimir, of Serbian origin, studied ACL and economics. His life changed when Milena, his first daughter, was born on October 31, 2005.
A circle of ordinary friends united by the same passion: music. “My Diet Pill” literally means slimming pill. Vladimir, the guitarist and singer of the band, recounts the origin of the band’s name: “A nightmare where I was being chased by a giant demanding diet pills. At the same time, we were looking for a name for the band. I suggested this whimsical idea. It was approved.”
With limited means (fees rarely exceed 500€ and average between 100 and 200€), the four thirty-somethings of MDP work on their songs like professionals. Renaud, the discreet bassist, explains the construction of the songs: “We are demanding and change the songs until we are all satisfied. We take feedback into account. We have different styles and influences, and it shows in the songs. Each one contains a little bit of all four of us.” Vladimir adds: “Thanks to this requirement, we are happy with the final result. On stage, we are proud to present a finished product to the audience.” Quality over quantity. It’s due to the circumstances: “We don’t have much time to rehearse. Often, we just prepare for the next concert,” Vlad adds. The hit song “Ego and I” (see the video clip at the end of the article) is a perfect example. It was one of the band’s first. It has been reworked and subjected to arrangements or friend’s suggestions. “It’s nothing like the first version,” Vlad smiles, “but we were all happy with the final result of the clip.”
The two vocalists, Patrick and Vlad, write the lyrics. “It’s not the same writing style but like many lyricists, we draw from our experiences. I’m more abstract than he is,” Vlad comments. As for singing, the Serbian giant admits he is not obsessed with technique: “People are more touched by emotion. I try to transmit an atmosphere, the same one I felt while writing the lyrics.”
A rehearsal room shared with five other bands from Nice, and concerts sometimes confidential in front of 30 people, My Diet Pill has all the makings of an amateur band. Except when you sit in the front row and listen to them. You cannot remain insensitive. Soft melodies flavored with a pinch of ingeniously dosed guitar, neither too much nor too little. They sound good and do not falter.
Fatalistic but not disillusioned, Renaud analyzes the French music production system: “French labels assume that Indie Rock is not commercial. They do not take risks. Variety works and sells, so they settle for that.” MDP self-produces, and it works, thanks in part to the Internet. A surprising but deserved international success. MDP is one of the most downloaded “unsigned” French bands. KEXP, the famous Seattle rock radio station that launched Nirvana, discovered My Diet Pill thanks to internet users and broadcasts songs from the small Nice band. A legitimate pride. “We were offered to play in New York, and even though we would be accommodated, we do not have the means to finance the trip,” regrets Vladimir.
Two albums, two hundred concerts, and the greatest satisfactions are recent: the opening act for Dyonisos in front of 800 people and a concert scheduled for June 2 in front of 1000 people at Paloma Hall in Barcelona, one of the most prestigious musical venues in Barcelona. “Dyonisos are friends. They came to perform at the Lino Ventura Theater in Nice, so naturally, we did the opening act. It wasn’t guaranteed from the start, but it went very well. Barcelona, that’s fans in Spain who discovered us thanks to our website,” explains Vlad.
Slimming pills provide well-being. When you listen to the latest eponymous album of My Diet Pill, if you like Rock, Folk, and Pop, Pixies, Blur, Weezer, well-being is assured. It’s a bit like perfuming oneself. My Diet Pill is a perfume with a thousand flavors that sweats the authenticity of amateur indie rock.
Video clip Ego and I:
[https://www.dailymotion.com/visited/mydietpill/video/105164](https://www.dailymotion.com/visited/mydietpill/video/105164)
Website
[www.mydietpill.net](https://www.mydietpill.net)
