Migrating from Lyon to London a few years ago, French singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Adrien Latgé – aka Easymess – wasted no time in immersing himself in the city’s music scene.
Frequently collaborating with other musicians and bands, Easymess started releasing a run of his own songs, the latest being optimistic, upbeat single Out Of Sight.
Led by Adrien’s warm, husky vocals and supported by a chorus of backing vocalists, soaring strings and effortlessly catchy guitar hooks, Out Of Sight narrates the story of finding friendship and a sense of home in a new city.
Keen to find out more, I had a chat to Adrien about his influences, various musical projects and what’s coming up next…
Hey Adrien! Can you tell me a bit about how you first got into making music?
Hi Annie! Well, I’m a drummer originally, and that started because I went for the pans and spoons in the kitchen to start drumming on them when I was three years old. Probably impressed by the display and the mess in the house, my parents decided it was a good idea to get me a mini drum kit.
I never really stopped from there… I took lessons, learned a bit of theory, percussion, xylophones, played in different local ensembles and projects, and my first band at 12 years old. That’s when I started singing in front of an audience, drumming at the same time, and I was too tempted to start writing songs, so I picked up a guitar and taught myself.
What’s behind the name, Easymess?
Easymess came out of a tipsy brainstorming, when we just put on paper loads of words I used a lot in my songs at the time (2015), and started making random combinations. It’s as stupid as that.
Then I realised I quite like it; I guess it’s a fair representation of my music, it’s happy, then sad, then nostalgic, then excited, then anxious. It’s a mess that I taught myself to like.
You’ve just released your new single Out Of Sight. What’s the song about and how was it written / recorded?
Out Of Sight is about moving to London. I was born in Lyon and raised in Savoie. I moved here 3 and a half years ago, and (like many people) wasn’t planning to stay this long, but as I was wondering if I wanted to move back after one year, I tried to have more perspective about it, and that’s when I wrote the song.
It’s about meeting everyone here – as well as the fantastic people I play with – and deciding that I don’t know what else I’d be doing if I went back to France, so I might as well let us discover each other and our music and embrace living in London if I can’t take them with me in France.
I love the fact that it was recorded, mixed and performed by our group of good friends, just like my previous EP. Literally everyone involved is part of a really nice and precious bubble of musicians and music professionals helping each other out and collaborating in any way possible with as many artists as possible.
Who are your biggest musical influences?
Damien Rice is easily the artist who I took most inspiration from. The lyrics and delivery, the vulnerability and power of his songs and live performances is what really introduced folk music to me. He is still the artist I’ve listened to the most in my life I think.
If I have to add more to the list Edward Sharpe, Bon Iver and Paolo Nutini would probably be in there as well…
I know you play in a lot of other bands and musical projects. Do you find this influences your solo work at all?
Ah, I’m glad you’re asking that. I wanted to mention it in the previous question, to be honest.
I am currently plating with eight or nine bands in London, mostly as a drummer and backing vocalist, and they all have a massive impact on what I do. Factually speaking, they are the ones who pushed me to record some of my own music after a year of mostly playing for other people.
The projects I play for are all very different, and learning the songs, playing alongside them in different band settings, co-writing or arranging and being in the studio with that many people on a regular basis has been really helpful to me.
All the experience I get from that massively influences my music, and to be honest, they have become the main bands I listen to on a daily basis. So yes, it’s a massive thing for me, and I happily trade my time for projects that I’m proud to be part of.
If you could play any venue in the world, where would it be and why?
I haven’t really seen enough big gigs in London to have massive dream venues, because I didn’t grow up with them in my environment. So I’d have to go for one of the most beautiful stages I’ve seen (and where I’ve seen Damien Rice live as well) which is the amphitheater of ‘Les Nuits de Fourvière’ in Lyon. Massive, beautiful, incredible sound, open air, it’s an absolute reference.
I would add Glastonbury Festival to the list, because, Glastonbury.
What’s coming up next for you? Can we see you perform live any time soon?
I am planning the next show at the moment. I’m releasing another single in the coming months, and an EP after that.
So there will be release gigs, but nothing announced for now. May and June should be big months though.
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