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French rock band, TRANK, released their album, “The Ropes – Monolith Edition,” last November. It is available in all of the usual places. Michel of TRANK joined us for an interview to discuss the album and tinnitus, among other things.
Please welcome TRANK to the blog!
Interview
Who is answering the questions?
Michel – vocals and electronics.
Band/Artist Name:
TRANK. Yes, all caps. We’re obnoxious that way, but then we’re French.
Tell us about your latest project:
Answering your questions; that aside, we have an album out, our first ever – it’s called “THE ROPES” and it came out one first time at the end of 2020, which was really clever timing as the world was in lockdown. But we had finished it, we were very proud of it, and we were launching it completely independently with no label or anything – and it got dozens of rave “where did these guys come from ?” kind of reviews. It then got picked up by a distributor who suggested we re-release it with more professional distribution, so it came out again as a “deluxe” edition in November 2021, with the original album plus 12 really cool remixes done by either people with whom we share mutual respect, or by ourselves. And since then it’s been album of the month in Rock Hard France, Rock Hard Italy, and Powerplay UK. Does it mean we sell more of it ? Nah. But we grew up with the rock press and we are very, very proud of that sort of accolades.
Where was your first concert as a fan? As a performer?
The answer would be different for each of us. For me, as a fan, it was Depeche Mode back in 1988 – the Music for the Masses tour, which is now the stuff of legend.
As a performer, it was with a cover band I was in for 10 years, which was incredible fun and taught me everything about the stage – probably back in 2006.
What is the secret to writing good music?
Do let us know when you find out, will you. Until then, we do the only thing we can – we write music we want to hear.
Do you have a bucketlist? If so, what’s on it?
If you start a band at the age we did, which is pretty much the age where everybody else stops, you have – hopefully – already had several bucket lists. As a band – we’re just happy to make music together and hoping to play it for as many people as we can.
What was the last thing that you read?
Technically, your questions. A little earlier than that – the latest book by my long time friend, Jean Baptiste Andrea, one of the writers I know who does the most incredibly moving job of capturing the essence of childhood in words that will touch a grown man’s heart. It’s called “Des diables et des saints”, which I guess could translate as “Of devils and saints” – look out for it when it gets translated. Or better yet, read it in French. The music of that guy’s language is like Leonard Cohen – so evocative.
What are you listening to at the moment?
Nothing. Have had a pretty nasty case of tinnitus since the last practice we did (and we were wearing ear protections). So I’m resting.
If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing?
Enjoying tinnitus-free silence.
Who would you like to collaborate with in the future?
Alan Wilder of Depeche Mode. He’s never coming back to the band, I think – it’s taken my well over 20 years to admit that. So maybe in his spare time ?…
What do you want people to know about your music?
We made it for ourselves – but you’re welcome to join and enjoy.
