Interviews: Interview: ANTHROPIA’S Hugues “Hugo” Lefebvre
Posted on Saturday, October 07 @ 17:47:16 EDT
Topic: Interviews
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An Interview with Hugues “Hugo” Lefebvre
Creator of Anthropia: The Ereyn Chronicles
by Tommy “Hashman” Hash
Progressive metal concept albums, either they are great or…well; one album that seems to come out of nowhere is by multi-instrumentalist/producer/composer Hugues “Hugo” Lefebvre, whose latest project Anthropa entails a trilogy, which is the establishment of what promises to be some amazing ear candy.
Elaborate music indeed, for which the album, titled The Ereyn Chronicles: Part I – The Journey of Beginnings really strikes a nerve with the listener, because Lefebvre knows how to write catchy riffs; he portrays more hooks in one song than most albums have as a whole, showcasing an excellence on the penmanship end of things as well as the musicianship. Nevertheless, as elaborate as the music is (you could compare it to Project Creation, Symphony X, and Vanden Plas), the concept is a whole other massive creation that Lefebvre came up with, and this is only the beginning. In a way that only he can describe it, Lefebvre speaks about The Ereyn Chronicles
Tommy Hash: Having written ‘The Ereyn Chronicles’ as a trilogy, how did you go about writing the concept for this massive piece of work - I noticed that you said at one point in a biography that you were not really into fantasy, but that you were intrigued by the writings of Quentin Borderie, so much, that you decided to write music around his stories, did you find that a challenge?
Hugues Lefebvre: Actually, Quentin Borderie is a very good friend of mine who wrote the whole story of ‘The Ereyn Chronicles.’ He's also planning to sell the books (The books will also be divided in 3 parts). As Quentin told me his story, I was very captivated and I just said to him "Man this is so good, will you be ok if I write my first album about your stuff?" And he just answered that it would be great.
I think this is very important for a composer to have a storyline or a concept behind when he creates music. Basically I'm totally incompetent to write stuffs with nothing behind. But as soon as I think of a story and more precisely of how the hero feels (emotions…), the ideas just come on their own.
It is sure that all the Anthropia albums will be concept albums (‘The Ereyn Chronicles’ or something totally different). But of course I'll always write the thing so that the man that doesn't want to know the story could also hear the music.
TH: What were the inspirations or the finalizations that helped you develop the storyline and lyrics as a whole?
HL: Quentin just told me his story several times and for the lyrics, I always asked him precisions about the feelings of the hero, because as I said this is one of the most important thing to me. It is not sure that a listener could really "be" in the story if I talk about dwarves, castles, swords... but If I say that the hero feels lost, doesn't know what to do, etc it will be easier for the fans to enter the story.
Of course because with such a good subject like that, you just wonder if your music will be good enough. But in a way it was easier to write this album because I had this story in mind. It inspired me so much that the ideas just came very easily. But, to answer your question, I think that writing a (good) album is always a challenge.
TH: Going beyond the lyrical content, your music has quite a bit of different elements in it, some classic metal, symphonic rock, progressive metal, etc…tell me about the musical inspirations behind the album’s music.
HL: Well basically a lot of metal of course : Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Symphony X, Dream Theater... But also some rock/prog rock bands : Sting, Genesis, Yes...
I think my main actual inspirations are Ayreon and Pain of Salvation. But I'm really not only a prog guy, I also like very much the direct "sides" of Nightwish, Edguy... So for me this could be the good mix: some direct power riffs, included in rock prog songs
TH: Having played almost everything on the record, you are a one-man band. What was it that inspired you to become a musician and do you have any formal musical training?
HL: Well, before deciding to be a professional musician, I went to an engineer school. I spent 5 years there learning stuffs about computers, electronic and I had my diploma. But I just realized that I didn't want to spend all my life in a company doing that kind of stuff... So I decided to make my passion my real work. It was a lot of work indeed, and even sacrifices, but I don't regret it and I won't.
I entered the Antibes music academy when I was 6 and I stayed there more than 10 years learning music theory and classical guitar. I wish I was more serious at that time, I almost forgot all the most interesting stuffs in music theory.
TH: Now having produced this record yourself, how did you go about recording it?
HL: First I recorded the demo version of all the songs in my home studio. I like to be very well prepared when I enter the studio and this "draft" helps a lot. I recorded the album "for real" in Monaco where I spent one month. I did all the instruments (bass, guitar, vocals, synth...) except drums played by my good friend Damien Rainaud. I'm very happy of the sound and I think that this brings to the album an identity.
TH: You were able to ink a deal with one of the biggest progressive rock labels around, tell us how the deal with Magna Carta Records come about.
HL: Well, I live near Cannes on the French Riviera and there is the MIDEM each year there. This is a meeting where labels from the entire world meet. So I just decided to go there with my manager. We had a lot of appointments to present Anthropia and the first one was with Magna Carta. You know, the first one is the good one. So we met Peter Morticelli (Magna Carta head) and we gave him a CD. 2 weeks later, he proposed us a deal for Anthropia. In this case, that was really a chance to live near Cannes of course, and I must say that I am very happy to be signed on this label, one of the most influent for prog music.
Are you planning to possibly tour behind this record?
HL: Yes it is not scheduled yet, but we will do it, I already found the musicians who will go with me. Of course Damien Rainaud on the drums but also Yann Mouhad and Nathalie Olmi (in Vitraux). We really can't wait to perform live and I hope that the fans will be happy to see us too!
TH: With ‘The Journey of Beginnings’ being just the first installment of the trilogy, what should we expect musically from the next record and what direction do you think your music will take? How about giving us a hint.
HL: Actually I already composed 6 songs for this second album. It won't be the Ereyn Chronicles Part 2 but a new concept. I think this is important to always surprise people so I will write completely different albums between each Ereyn Chronicle part. What I can say about the next one: The concept is then totally different (in one album) and in a contemporary world. I'm very happy of this 6 new songs and if you enjoyed The journey of beginnings, I think you'll like these ones too!
TH: Great, looks like you have a lot of musical endeavors on your palette! Wrapping things up, tell us some of your thoughts on the state of progressive metal at this point in time and what is some of the music that you are listening nowadays.
HL: In my opinion, music is made to bring emotions to the listener. Sometimes progressive metal is really too technically oriented (too fast guitar solos,...) and just forget the important : emotions. That's why I think today Ayreon and Pain Of Salvation are my 2 favourite bands, I think Arjen Lucassen and Daniel Gildenlow really make the ultimate music. Well this is only my point of view!
TH: Any Final Thoughts?
HL: Thank you very much for this interview, we really hope to come soon in USA with the band. It would be soooo so great
CLICK HERE to read a review of ‘The Ereyn Chronicles: Part I.’
Anthropia Website
Magna Carta Records Website
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