Møme: the artist’s career and origins
To begin, can you tell us about yourself and your beginnings in music?
My name is Møme, but my real first name is Jérémy. I started 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 had put me off the institution a bit. But music always stayed with me. I continued on my own, learning guitar, bass, and participating in different rock bands. Very early on, what interested me was creating my own musical universe. That's how I turned to electronic music. I am self-taught, and even if I had some basic music theory, today, I create in a very different way.
In 2014, I started the Møme project, initially a duo with a DJ friend. However, when he couldn't follow me to Australia in 2016, I continued on my own, which led to the creation of " Aloha " , the song that made me famous. At that point, I signed with Universal in 2017, and it was from there that I was able to make a living from my music creation.
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 pop. I've always been drawn to international music. In France, we like to label, to put people in boxes, and that's always pissed me off. I wanted a name that wouldn't reveal where I come from, that would create a blur. When I released my first songs, I wanted to stay hidden, to let the mystery linger.
How did your time at the Nice Conservatory influence your musical journey?
The conservatory gave me a solid foundation in music theory and technique, but at a certain point, the piano became too elitist for me. As a teenager, I began to rebel against this rigor. I joined rock bands to externalize this energy. Later, I turned to synthesizers and electronic music, because it allowed me to do everything myself, from creation to production, transcribing the ideas I had in mind.
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 have always been inspired by what is done abroad, and I like to discover new sounds while traveling.
Experiments and creation of the famous title "Aloha"
Can you tell us about your meeting with Merryn Jeann and the creation of the title "Aloha"?
I met Merryn Jeann while I was traveling in Australia. She had a unique voice, and I was looking for a singer to collaborate on a song. We recorded "Aloha" together, and it became a 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 experience 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 had told my entourage to trust me, because I deeply believed in this song. I then did everything in my power to spread it, in particular by insisting that it be highlighted on influential platforms like "The Sound You Need", a musical YouTube channel with a considerable audience. It is thanks to this exposure that the song exploded and reached millions of listens.
However, on a personal level, it was a complex period. Just before the release of "Aloha", I was in full transition, ready to leave everything to go to Australia, a decision I had made to recharge my batteries and focus on my album. But when "Aloha" started to be a hit, my manager quickly asked me to come back to France. I then signed a contract with Universal, which allowed me to receive an advance on the success of "Aloha", but it also forced me to dive back into a media and promotional whirlwind.
Going from a simple life in Australia to a hectic daily life in France, with interviews, shows and constant pressure, was destabilizing. The first months were a real shock. I had to adapt quickly, even if the pace was exhausting. I ended up stopping touring, and little by little, I refocused by returning to the south of France.
Ultimately, "Aloha" changed my life by allowing me to make a living from my music. However, there was always a frustration linked to the fact that many only knew me for this song, without discovering the full album which, for me, represented a more personal and accomplished work.
How does traveling influence your music?
Travel has always had a major impact on my music. For example, the album Panorama was born from my experience in Australia, and it reflects the sound environment I discovered there.
Today, it's the encounters I have while traveling that inspire me the most. For example, my stay in Mexico last year gave me a huge motivation. I also met artists with whom I connect, 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 worked with a technical team and traveled by tour bus. We did concerts in legendary venues like the Olympia and the Vieilles Charrues, it was huge. But it was also trying, especially because I was often alone on stage, which created a huge amount of pressure. I had to adapt to this new way of life, but it also led to a kind of depression, because I no longer found the time to create music.
New professional and personal projects
What musical projects are you currently working on?
I'm currently working on a new album in collaboration with Ricki Ducati. We have a great artistic connection, and our first album together, although released during the Covid period, received good feedback. This new album will be released in 2025, and this time, we plan to create real visual content, with filming 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 prioritize 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 would always put my family first.
Can you tell us about the soundtrack you produced for a board sports film?
I have always been passionate about board sports, and I have a friend who has retrained in film production, particularly on this theme. He suggested that I compose the soundtrack for Shelter , a film set in Norway, with images of ice-freediving champions. This project really motivated me, because I love sound design and ambiance work. It is a creative exercise that fascinates me, and I will continue to do it if the projects are coherent.
Link: https://open.spotify.com/intl-fr/album/28iCT1OLCtcVkQZr21KYkb?si=dKFGpXhzRDyXkKi1SILZCg
How do you see Møme evolving in the future, especially 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 would also like to experiment with other formats, perhaps integrating more visual elements or collaborating with artists from other disciplines. My goal is to continue to surprise and innovate while remaining true to what makes Møme the essence.
Birth of the collaboration with Morex
How did your meeting with Morex go?
I was invited to DJ at Morex during their July 13th party. It was Lauriane, the event manager, who approached me and asked me to come. I accepted because I already liked the mood and the atmosphere they created. During the party, I really got to discover their world and I met Simon and Kevin. We hit it off right away, and that's how our collaboration began.
What motivated you to collaborate 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, vintage motorcycles, and I have a converted van with which I often go on escapades. This collaboration with Morex therefore happened very naturally.
Interview by Prune de Ruidiaz
