Interview with Goodbye Meteor

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

We all grew up in contexts where music was important, and all 4 of us got into it quite early. Cédric (guitar) and Julien (bass) started a band together when they were teenagers, long before Goodbye Meteor was formed.

Personally, I don't know what I'd do, because my whole life revolves around music.

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

I like canvassing, booking, contacting the media... I stimulate my creativity more by going to concerts or admiring the landscape.

How long has your band been around?

Goodbye Meteor has been around since 2019. The covid period arrived shortly afterwards, but it didn't stop the band from developing.

Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?

We come from Abbeville, in the Hauts-de-France region. We were inspired by the landscapes of our region, which is how we described our 1st demo, Northtape.

We're proud of our region, and our 1st video, Play or Die, was shot in an iconic location, the cliffs of Ault.

How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you?

We're all very attached to nature, and passionate about the stars and planets... We were also looking for a name that would be a little nostalgic, emphasizing the ephemeral side of things.

Tell me about your most memorable shows.

The most memorable gigs haven't necessarily been those in the biggest venues or festivals, but rather those where we've met great people, like Of The Vine and It Was A Good Dream, VLMV, indignu...We're going to be playing at the Dunk! Fest in May, which is going to be a really great moment.

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

There's a place where we like to play and where we go regularly, the Caméléon in Conchy-les-Pots, in our region. It's a very small place, founded by an enthusiast, and the welcome is always very warm and the public very attentive. There are lots of places we'd like to play... Wembley Stadium ?

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

The perfect line-up would be Sigur Ros, Mono, Explosions in the Sky and I Like Trains !

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

What's important is to take an interest in as many styles as possible, and to play in as many groups as possible (rock, pop, jazz, reggae, etc.) in order to gain experience and forge your own style. That's what I did, and it gave me a clear idea of what I prefer to play now.

Another thing I think is essential is not to compare yourself (in the sense of 'competing') with other musicians you come across. The most important thing is to share emotions, whatever your level or technique.

If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be?

You shouldn't waste time on people who aren't worth your time. And unfortunately there are a lot of them in the music world.

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

I'd say it's Play Or Die, from our EP Metanoia, because it's the 1st track for which we shot a video clip ; it's also the track that bridged the gap between the beginnings of Goodbye Meteor and what we've become.

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

There isn't one song in particular that I like playing more than another, they all have their own specificities, so I don't get bored playing the set.

We're not yet well enough known for the public to ask us for songs, but I hope it will come !

What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?

In our composition process, we very often start with an idea suggested by one of the guitarists, and we improvise on it. Over the course of rehearsals and listening (we record most of the rehearsals), everything becomes more precise until we arrive at a 'fixed', definitive version. It's a bit like painting a picture together, with each of us adding our own personal touch.We are obviously influenced by the bands we listen to, otherwise, we're influenced by landscapes and nature.

What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?

Our music is mainly instrumental, but that doesn't mean it's message-free. Our themes revolve mainly around the human and animal condition and the environment. Our album title, "We Could Have Been Radiant", is a nostalgic message about the fact that humanity had all the cards in its hands to do great things, but unfortunately that wasn't always the case.

Do you ever have disagreements in your band, and how do you get past them?

Obviously, there can be disagreements, as in any human relationship. The key is to trust each other, to understand that everyone is acting for the good of the group and not in their own interests.

The world of music is difficult enough, there's no question of making it even more so !

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

Our album came out at the beginning of the year, so we're in the promotion phase, we've got some concerts coming up, and at the same time we're composing new songs. We would like to develop the group as much as possible, do international tours, other albums, and integrate the music and image network (cinema, advertisements, documentaries...).