With his start in music as songwriter in rock bands, Jerome Paressant has explored the field of electronic music in confrontation with jazz improvisation since 1998. The outcome of this musical research was the creation of Abraxas Projekt. Jerome Paressant also collaborates on several projects that combine music, video, theatre and dance, and has collaborated with many artists including Dominique A., Mathias Delplanque (LENA), Charles-Eric Charrier (OLDMAN), HOPEN, LYS, la S.T.P.O, Catherine Letinturier, Christophe Héridel, Vadim Vernay, de Denis Frajerman.
How did you go from making rock music to using software and creating electronic music?
Since my childhood, I have been fascinated by modal music and instruments like Sitar, Bagpipes…I’m fascinated by the power and the beauty of loops in music…so, after some hesitation I bought my first hardware sampler in 1999 and then put a lot into electronic music.
Who are some of the artists that have inspired you?
So many, in music, books, movies ! Some of them are, in music : John Colltrane, Tom waits, Nick Cave, David Shea, Amon Tobin, especially record labels like NINJA TUNE, JAZZLAND…Contemporary jazz musicians like Louis Sclavis, Marc Ribot, Tim berne… In movie world, I really love Jim Jarmush, Guv Van Sant, David Lynch, Terrence Mallick…
How important is it to have software control in your performance?
Things have to be simple, to be efficient… I tried many softwares before my first video performance on stage…Cell was the winner !
What do you look for in hardware devices for performance?
Easy to use and reliable.
What is the most difficult thing about being a non-traditional digital performer and how do you overcome it?
I think technology is only a tool…With software and electronic gear I can get great sounds with few manipulations. In jazz improvisation you have to surpass yourself and work hard on your instrument. I try to follow my own way, my own aesthetic. In my video work I try to have at the same time a cinematographic and experimental approach.
How do you work with Ableton Live and Cell at the same time?
Ableton Live and Cell work at the same time but without any synchronization.
Ableton Live is on my laptop with two midi controllers. Cell is on a PC computer (with a nVidia Geforce video card) with only a mouse and a keyboard. I appreciate thereal time effects with Cell. It’s a good way for breathing dynamics during the show.
What parallels do you find between being an electronic musician and jazz improvisation?
Modal music is the bridge between these two idioms. John Coltrane on "Olé" meets Massive Attack or Amon Tobin in my dreams. On another hand playing electronic music for me is like being in holiday, I only have to be focus on sound, not technical abilities.
How important is it that the audience know you are playing both the audio and the video Live?
Electronic music has changed audience’s perception. You don’t need to jump like a devil with your red guitar and dozens of amps. Electronic music and visuals are more connected to visions, a cinematic experience.
Do you use any traditional musical instruments in your performance or recordings?
Yes because first I am a multi instrumentalist (like many others electronic musicians). I like to play, record, and manipulate acoustic sounds and turn them into electronic soundscapes.
We noticed that you use a lot of dance in your performances, can you tell us how you choreograph the audio, video, and movement to work together?
I work for DoWnTaO with the great dancer Catherine Letinturier. When we work together it’s a matter of spirit, we don’t work on synchronization… For DoWnTao, the dancer is an incarnation of the music. For Catherine each tune has his own history on which she creates her choreography and we have a common vocabulary : natural world, spiritual energy…a senstive approach for art.
What do you use to create your video content?
For my own video I use a little DV Camera. On stage, I prefer to play with long video loops, more than two minutes.
Does being a songwriter help you create video content?
I wrote several scenarios few years ago… So like songwriting, it helps me to have a sense of dramaturgy, a sense of telling stories and a cimenatographic approach.
How important is the video context to your musical content?
It’s the other side ! Music is a pure abstraction ! Video creates images.
Where do you see the future of Audio/Video performance headed?
New forms and better integration of video in musical environments and vice versa.
Where can we see you perform?
In France, for the moment. But I’m looking for gigs all around the world…and for a booking agency !
Liens / Links
www.jparessant.com
www.myspace.com/abraxasprojekt
www.myspace.com/downtao
Videos
www.dailymotion.com/JeromeParessant
LE Label
www.oceanikcreations.com
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interviews by Jay
