INTERVIEW WITH : Guilhem Benard
WITHIN PUNK ZINE INTERVIEW WITH
LOST LOVE / Guilhelm Benard BY EMAIL
MAY 6 ,2016
COURTESY OF
MELANIE RACETTE/STOMP RECORDS J.B: Alright let’s talk about Lost Love? Is the name a reference to that of you lyrics a resonation of the one that got away? Guilhem: The name comes from the fact that at the time we started the band (3 years ago), I felt a bit jaded about a bunch of things. “Lost Love” is not only about losing the person you love. It’s also about starting to lose interest in the things you once loved (music, sports, friends, family, etc.) It sounds darker than what it actually was, but yeah, this band helped everyone in the band feel better and now we’re filled with love. J.B: You have the feel good pop punk sound but also has an Indie feel similar to label mates The Penske File, what were your influences on this one? Guilhem: The Penske File are our good buddies and I guess we could say we’re influenced by them. We have so many different influences that it’d be hard to pin down a few bands. Let’s just say we all really like Jimmy Eat World, Queen, Weezer and The Lawrence Arms. J.B: Your lyrical content is something that people can relate with and touches on the facts of life/decisions/ and the tale of wearing your heart and staying true? What was the creative writing process? Guilhem: The writing process is simple. I write 98% of the lyrics and it’s all based on things me or my friends live. Mostly stories of lost love, sometimes story of found love. The more I go, the more I try to write about positive things so it can help cheer me up / cheer up other people when they’re sung.
J.B: Any lineup changes that altered that direction and overall sound? Guilhem: Dan Levy from In The Meantime was in the band during the first year. I guess that we went more “Orgcore” and pop when he left the band because Olivier (the new guitar player) was more into that stuff. But I think we sound more “pop/ catchy” than what we used to sound like when we started and it would’ve been the same if Dan would still be in the band. We evolved. J.B: You are also busy on other projects other than this tour and of course the big one being Pouzza Fest?
Guilhem: Personally, my big project is Lost Love and my side project is Pouzza. There’s such a great team right now that works on Pouzza that I can be on the road and not have to worry too much. This 4-month tour thing we’re doing with Lost Love through Canada-USA-Europe is intense, but that’s all I’ve ever wanted to do with my band, so I feel very lucky to be doing that. J.B: You’re living the big tour dream and might burn out from a pretty extensive summer trip you are playing across Canada back to Montreal for Pouzza and then Europe I believe? And then Amensia Rockfest and then back where? Guilhem: haha yep, then in the US for two months. I’ve just confirmed the last dates in the US. We’re going to play something like 58 shows in 60 days in the USA. The goal is to travel around the world, connect with new people and spreading our music to a broader audience. We’re doing what we love and we’re meeting amazing people everyday on the road. Plus, the chemistry between the members is growing even stronger now.
J.B: Are you endorsed by some kind of energy drink to be able to achieve awesomeness of everything you give in a show for that long? Guilhem: Nah. I don’t like energy drinks that much. We’re sponsored by Beau’s for the Canadian tour. I think that the key to all of this is to drink water, sleep well, take some moments for yourself and never forget to have this little moment when you slowly breath and you realize what a crazy thing you’re doing right now. J.B: Talking about live performances do you find that the songs like Take Care,Get Better, See you Never have that crowd chanting interaction? Guilhem: Oh definitely. It feels weird now because we’re playing places we never played and people are singing that one catchy song. Of course the lyrics are pretty easy, but it always feels good when people are singing our songs. J.B: For me I think “Run Forever Run” is one of those songs that really stand out from the rest even though it’s more mid tempo and slower what are your favorite tracks on this one? Guilhem: Haaa! Love that one. We’re not playing it often live but
I think we should start doing it more. I think the song is better live. My favorite song from Comfortable Scars is “Just Because I Rock Doesn’t Mean I’m Made Of Stone”. J.B: Of course you were signed for this release “Comfortable Scars” to be released on Iconic 20th anniversary Label Stomp Records? What’s it like being part of the family over at Stomp? Guilhem: Stomp are being so nice with us. We’re feeling very fortunate right now. We feel like we have a whole team behind us, supporting us for this whole crazy trip. It feels also crazy to be on label I’ve grown listening to the bands on their roster (Subb, Flatliners, Planet Smashers, Brains, etc.) J.B: Where was “Comfortable Scars” recorded and who did the mastering? Guilhem: Recorded in Montreal at Ryan Battistuzzi’s studio, by him. Hugo Mudie from The Sainte Catherines produced the album and Ryan Morey mastered it. Everyone’s been really helpful and we’re pretty proud of the result. J.B: Let’s talk about the cover art for “Comfortable Scars” it has that oldcshool true to heart family feel to it what was the concept behind it? Guilhem: It’s a picture of us actually. Look closely. J.B: What’s with the Rocky Seven Song are you guys big fans of the Rock? I still like Apollo Creed better. Guilhem: Fun fact: we wrote Rocky VII BEFORE we knew the movie Creed would come. We’re huge fans of Stalone’s movies and Rocky VII is a song about taking control on your life and just get rid of all the negativity in your life. So I guess, the title just reflects something positive in our lives. J.B: This is your second release what’s in store for “Lost Love” after the tour? Guilhem: I already have 15+ songs written for the next album. As soon as we get back from tour, we will get together and build these songs full-band. To quote our buds in Penske File: “I can’t stop, I won’t stop now”.
J.B: We always end with a famous book or quote that inspired your life anything come to mind? Guilhem: “It takes two to tango”
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