Music show: Max Baby on breakups, breakdowns and breakthroughs • FRANCE 24 English

Key Concepts

• Max Baby: Self-taught multi-instrumentalist and rising star of France's indie scene.
• Break (EP): Max Baby's latest EP, a blend of postmodern indie, ultra rock, and electro, exploring themes of breaking up, breaking down, and breaking out of old patterns.
• Out of Control Into the Wall: Max Baby's debut record.
• I Can Do Anything: A track from Max Baby's EP "Break," which, despite its empowering title, explores the inability to forget someone.
• Analog Gear: Recording equipment that uses physical components to process sound, as opposed to digital processing.
• We Are Scientists: Indie rock band celebrating the release of their new album "Qualifying Miles" and the 20th anniversary of their breakout record "Love and Squalor."
• Qualifying Miles: We Are Scientists' new album.
• Love and Squalor: We Are Scientists' breakout record from 2004/2005.
• Indie Sleaze Era: A musical and cultural movement from the early to mid-2000s characterized by a specific aesthetic and sound.
• FKA Twigs: British artist releasing her fourth album, "Usexia Afterglow."
• Usexia Afterglow: FKA Twigs' latest album, a sequel to "Usexia."
• Summer Walker: American R&B singer releasing the final installment of her "Over It" series.
• Over It Series: Summer Walker's series of records focusing on relationships, with the latest installment emphasizing self-love.

Max Baby: A Rising Star in French Indie

Introduction and Background

Jennifer Benraheim introduces Max Baby, a self-taught multi-instrumentalist and a prominent figure in France's indie music scene. Max Baby's debut record, "Out of Control Into the Wall," was released in 2024, and he is now back with his EP "Break." His music is described as a fusion of postmodern indie, ultra rock, and electro.

True or False: Unveiling Max Baby

• Max Baby is a nickname: False. It is his real name, "Babby," which has a long story behind it. This leads to the observation that he was "meant to be a rock star."
• Made first instrument out of biscuit tins: True. Max Baby's early passion for drums led him to create a drum kit from biscuit tins as a child, highlighting his self-starter nature.

Musical Evolution: From Debut to "Break"

• Debut Record: "Out of Control Into the Wall": This album is characterized by its exploration of the thrill of losing control.
• New EP: "Break": The EP's title, "Break," signifies a departure and a breaking out. The concept emerged after the songs were completed, revealing themes of:
  • Breaking up
  • Breaking down
  • Breaking out of childhood
  • Breaking out of old patterns, dogmas, and beliefs.
  • A visual element associated with the EP involved breaking various items, including a miniature toy horse.

Track Analysis: "I Can Do Anything"

• Empowerment with a Twist: The song "I Can Do Anything" from the EP "Break" is presented as an empowering mantra. However, it contains a crucial caveat: "but forget about you." This duality suggests a struggle between self-affirmation and lingering attachment.
• Performance and Authenticity: Max Baby states he doesn't feel the need to put on a "front" of bravado on stage, as he is genuinely excited to perform and gives "110%." The songs, he believes, "live themselves."

Creative Process and Philosophy

• Stripping Back to Basics: Max Baby's debut record and the new EP were made using primarily real instruments with minimal post-production.
• Importance of Limitations: He emphasizes the value of keeping music "real" and "organic." Even when using a computer for recording, he opts for analog gear. Max Baby believes that limitations, in a world of endless possibilities, foster creativity and offer a unique way of sounding modern.

Collaboration vs. Solo Work

• Writing and Producing for Others: Max Baby also works as a writer and producer for artists like Wise Blood, Clara Luciani, and Ségun Badga.
• Divergent Processes: He distinguishes between working for himself and collaborating with other artists. When working with others, the process is collaborative, focusing on bringing out the best in them and being true to their vision. This is contrasted with his solo work, which he describes as being "in loop in my own head." The key difference lies in serving a purpose that is different from his own, working towards another artist's project.

Touring and Live Performances

• European Tour: Max Baby is currently on a European tour to support his new EP.
• Headline Gig in Paris: He has a headline show at Le Main Room in Paris on November 19th.

We Are Scientists: 20 Years of Indie Sleaze and New Horizons

Album Release and Anniversary

Jennifer Benraheim transitions to the band We Are Scientists, who are concluding their European tour. They are celebrating the release of their new album, "Qualifying Miles," and the 20th anniversary of their breakout record, "Love and Squalor."

Interview with Keith Murray and Chris Cain

• Album Reflection: The band members, Keith Murray and Chris Cain, feel that "Qualifying Miles" is more reflective than their previous work. They attribute this to their 20 years of releasing albums and being "mired in nostalgia."
• Innovative Music Video: For the song "For What You Want Is Gone," they faced a tight deadline for the music video. Instead of hiring a professional crew, they opted for a cost-effective approach by asking their audience to submit footage from their phones. This resulted in approximately a thousand submissions.
• Evolving Audience: When asked about changes in their audience over 20 years, Chris Cain notes a mix of original fans who have "aged poorly" and young teenagers who were born after their first record.
• Enduring Legacy of "Love and Squalor": They acknowledge that "Love and Squalor" was a significant part of the 2004-2005 musical scene and that its enduring appeal is partly due to it being "the best album from that era."

Influences and Inspirations

Max Baby's Musical Roots

• Indie Sleaze Era: Max Baby confirms that We Are Scientists were among his influences during high school.
• New York Scene (Early 2000s): He cites bands from the early 2000s New York scene, including LCD Soundsystem, The Strokes, and TV on the Radio, as significant inspirations.
• French Artists: For French artists, Max Baby mentions Daft Punk and Justice as major influences. He also highlights Serge Gainsbourg, particularly the soundscapes on "Melody Nelson," as being "eye-opening" and influencing his music, even though it's in a different genre.

FKA Twigs and Summer Walker: Other Notable Releases

FKA Twigs: "Usexia Afterglow"

• Teasing the Album: FKA Twigs began teasing her fourth album, "Usexia Afterglow," during a summer gig, describing it as a "birth."
• Sequel to "Usexia": This album is a follow-up to "Usexia," released earlier in the year.
• "Cheap Hotel" Single: The album is being promoted with a seven-minute video for the single "Cheap Hotel," featuring the "unusual influencers" known as the Claremont Sisters.

Summer Walker: "Over It" Series Finale

• Final Installment: The show concludes by mentioning the third and final installment of American R&B singer Summer Walker's "Over It" series.
• Collaborations: This record features collaborations with artists like Sexyy Red, GORILLAZ, and Mariah Scientists.
• Shift in Theme: While previous records focused on toxic relationships and heartbreak, this installment shifts to themes of self-love and happiness.
• "Spend It" Track: The show ends with the track "Spend It" from Summer Walker's latest release.

Conclusion

The show highlights the diverse landscape of contemporary music, from the introspective and experimental sounds of Max Baby to the enduring legacy of indie rock with We Are Scientists, and the artistic statements of FKA Twigs and Summer Walker. Max Baby's journey as a self-taught musician, his unique approach to production, and his exploration of complex emotional themes in his EP "Break" are central. The segment on We Are Scientists underscores the longevity of artists and the evolution of their sound over two decades. The brief mentions of FKA Twigs and Summer Walker showcase other significant releases and thematic shifts in the R&B and alternative music scenes. The overarching theme is the continuous innovation and personal expression within the music industry.