Møme : parcours et origines de l'artiste
First of all, can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started in music?
My name is Møme, but my real name is Jérémy. I started playing music very young, at the age of 5, with classical piano. I continued my studies at the conservatory until I was 13, when I decided to stop because of a teacher who disgusted me with the institution. But music always stayed with me. I continued on my own, learning guitar and bass, and taking part in various rock bands. What interested me early on was creating my own musical universe. That's how I got into electronic music. I'm self-taught, and even though I had a basic grounding in music theory, today I create in a very different way.
En 2014, j'ai lancé le projet Møme, initialement un duo avec un ami DJ. Cependant, lorsqu'il n'a pas pu me suivre en Australie en 2016, j'ai continué seul, ce qui a mené à la création d' « Aloha », le morceau qui m'a fait connaître. À ce moment-là, j'ai signé avec Universal en 2017, et c'est à partir de là que j'ai pu vivre de ma création musicale.
Why did you choose the pseudonym "Møme"?
The "Ø" with a bar is something I've always used. I've never been influenced by French music, especially not by variété. I've always been attracted to international music. In France, we like to label and pigeonhole people, and that's always pissed me off. I wanted a name that wouldn't reveal where I came from, that would create a blur. When I released my first tracks, I wanted to remain hidden, to let the mystery linger.
How did your time at the Nice Conservatoire influence your musical career?
The conservatory gave me a solid grounding in music theory and technique, but at a certain point, piano became too elitist for me. As a teenager, I began to rebel against this rigor. I joined rock bands to get that energy out. Later on, I turned to synthesizers and electronic music, as this allowed me to do everything myself, from creation to production, transcribing the ideas I had in my head.
Can you tell us about your musical influences and how they have shaped your style?
My influences are mainly international. In 2015, I was very inspired by artists like Flume and the Future Classic label. Electronic music allowed me to express myself in a different way, mixing my rock influences with more modern sounds. I've always been inspired by what's being done abroad, and I love discovering new sounds as I travel.
Expériences et création du célèbre titre "Aloha"
Can you tell us about your meeting with Merryn Jeann and the creation of the track "Aloha"?
I met Merryn Jeann on my trip to Australia. She had a unique voice, and I was looking for a female singer to collaborate on a track. We recorded "Aloha" together, and it became a real hit. It was an incredible experience to see how this collaboration came to life and touched so many people around the world.
How did you feel about the success of "Aloha" and the impact it had on your career?
The success of "Aloha" was a real turning point in my career, but paradoxically I experienced it in a rather mixed way. When I finished this song, I had the intuition that it would become a hit. I told the people around me to trust me, because I believed deeply in the song. So I did everything in my power to get it out there, including insisting that it be featured on influential platforms like "The Sound You Need", a music YouTube channel with a huge audience. It was thanks to this exposure that the track exploded and reached millions of listens.
On a personal level, however, it was a complex period. Just before the release of "Aloha", I was in transition, ready to leave everything behind and move to Australia, a decision I had taken to recharge my batteries and concentrate on my album. But when "Aloha" started to hit, my manager quickly asked me to come back to France. I then signed a contract with Universal, which enabled me to receive an advance on the success of "Aloha", but it also forced me back into a media and promotional whirlwind.
Going from a simple life in Australia to a frenetic daily routine in France, with interviews, shows and constant pressure, was destabilizing. The first few months were a real shock. I had to adapt quickly, even if the pace was exhausting. Eventually, I stopped touring, and gradually refocused by returning to the south of France.
In the end, "Aloha" changed my life by enabling me to make a living from my music. However, there was always the frustration that many people knew me only for that song, without discovering the full album which, for me, represented a more personal and accomplished work.
How does travel influence your music?
Les voyages ont toujours eu un impact majeur sur ma musique. Par exemple, l'album Panorama est né de mon expérience en Australie, et il reflète l'environnement sonore que j'y ai découvert.
Today, it's the encounters I make while traveling that inspire me most. For example, my stay in Mexico last year gave me enormous motivation. I've also met artists I connect with, like Ricky Ducati, with whom I'm working on my next album.
How did you experience your first tour, and what did it bring you as an artist?
My first tour was an intense experience, both exciting and exhausting. It was the first time I'd worked with a technical crew and travelled in a tour bus. We played concerts in legendary venues like the Olympia and Les Vieilles Charrues, which was huge. But it was also hard work, especially as I was often alone on stage, which created enormous pressure. I had to adapt to this new way of life, but it also led to a kind of depression, as I no longer found the time to create music.
De nouveaux projets professionnels et personnels
What musical projects are you currently working on?
I'm currently working on a new collaborative album with Ricki Ducati. We have a great artistic connection, and our first album together, although released during the Covid period, received great feedback. This new album will be released in 2025, and this time we plan to create real visual content, with shoots in Los Angeles, for example. We can't wait to defend it live.
How do you manage the balance between your personal and professional projects?
It's not always easy, but it's essential for me to find a balance between my personal life and my career. Family is my priority, and I try not to let success overwhelm me. I've learned to say no and give priority to family time. My passion for music remains intact, but I also know that my family comes first. Even if I had another huge hit, I'd always put my family first.
Can you tell us about the soundtrack you produced for a board sports film?
J’ai toujours été passionné par les sports de glisse, et j’ai un ami qui s’est reconverti dans la production de films, notamment sur ce thème. Il m’a proposé de composer la bande originale de Shelter, un film qui se passe en Norvège, avec des images de champion d’apnée sous glace. Ce projet m'a beaucoup motivé, car j'adore le travail de sound design et d'ambiance. C'est un exercice créatif qui me passionne, et je continuerai à le faire si les projets sont cohérents.
Lien : https://open.spotify.com/intl-fr/album/28iCT1OLCtcVkQZr21KYkb?si=dKFGpXhzRDyXkKi1SILZCg
How do you see Møme evolving in the future, particularly in terms of collaborations and live performances?
I see Møme continuing to evolve, collaborating with other artists and exploring new musical horizons. Live performances will remain an essential part of what I do, but I'd also like to experiment with other formats, perhaps incorporating more visual elements or collaborating with artists from other disciplines. My aim is to continue to surprise and innovate, while remaining true to the essence of Møme.
Naissance de la collaboration avec Morex
Comment s’est passée ta rencontre avec Morex ?
I was invited to mix at Morex for their July 13 party. Lauriane, the events manager, approached me and asked me to come along. I accepted because I already liked the mood and atmosphere they were creating. During the evening, I really got to know their world and met Simon and Kevin. We hit it off right away, and that's how our collaboration began.
What motivated you to work with Morex?
Meeting the Morex team was great. They have an authentic state of mind, and the environment in which they evolve, between motorcycling, surfing and board sports, totally corresponds to what I like. We share the same values, and I immediately connected with their world. I also have a passion for board sports and vintage motorcycles, and I have a converted van with which I often go on getaways. So the collaboration with Morex was a natural fit.
Propos recueillis par Prune de Ruidiaz
