Pablo Nouvelle brings electronic music to life
|||Helen Herimbi
“I’m STANDING in my flat in Switzerland with my lovely roommate, half-naked,” Pablo Nouvelle laughs into the phone. The producer-performer who will be performing at the MTN Bushfire music festival as well as a few dates in South Africa in May is open to over sharing.
The best way he does this is through his music. The artist, who was born Fabio Friedili, decided on a stage name that was inspired by the Nouvelle Vague films and architect, Jean Nouvel. In 2013, he released his self-titled first album. It got a bit of a buzz but it was when the iconic Armada Music picked up his second album, All I Need, that the electronic soul muso started making waves.
“They came to us,” he tells me, “They discovered my music. Armada is known as a trance label with Armin van Buuren and really that hardcore oots-oots sound and stuff. They expanded two years ago to more deep house and more pop music. Over a year ago, they called us and asked us if we want to sign to them.
“We said, ‘well, we don’t have an album ready.’ When I finished it, I thought about them again and reached out to talk with them. They are really connected and have a great team. It’s an amazing label.”
Nouvelle will perform at Future Nostalgia in Cape Town on May 24. He will also conduct a meet-and-greet session at We Heart Beat in Joburg on May 26 before he performs at a party by the vinyl and beat connoisseurs on May 27. On May 28, he will be on stage at MTN Bushfire in Swaziland.
“I’m really looking forward to step foot in the country,” he says in a thick Swiss accent. “I’ve actually been to South Africa once as a kid with my parents. We travelled the country, from Cape Town all the way up the coast and up to Joburg. That was an amazing trip and now to return as a musician and being able to play and meet other musicians is like a dream come true. My guitarist has never left Europe. He’s never had a passport. It’s going to be a big thing to him too.”
On stage, Nouvelle – who is skilled on keyboard, synthesisers and Music Production Centre (MPC) – plays with a drummer/vocalist and a guitarist/bassist. He says: “The live setting is pretty special because, although I produce electronic music, it’s really important for me to bring it to life.
“I’m not a DJ, I’m really coming from the musician side. I have a band. They used to be a duo seven years ago. When I wanted to bring my project to life, I asked them if they wanted to join my band and since then, we’ve been playing as a trio.”
Before he was a part of this band, Nouvelle was just one man on a mission to sample vocals out of necessity.
He explains: “The difference from the first album is that it wasn’t even an official release. It was me doing my music in my bedroom and using samples because I didn’t know anyone. I didn’t have the chance to work with singers or songwriters. The second album was a whole other approach. It opened doors from Switzerland to London. The first album was like a card to say hello, this is me and this is what I’m doing.”
Pablo Nouvelle will perform at the MTN Bushfire Festival which takes place in Swaziland from May 27 to 29. Tickets are available at www.bush-fire.com. Before that, he will be in Cape Town on May 24 and in Joburg on May 26. Go to www.pablonouvelle.com