Name: Aurélien Rivière aka DoubtingThomas

Nationality: French
Occupation: Producer, writer
Current Release: DoubtingThomas's The Promises 05 LP is out via The Promises.
Recommendations: Please check artwork by Sarah Malan, an amazing local painter. She designed my last album cover. Her work is just incredible.
I would also recommend The diving bell and the butterfly, a book by Jean-dominique Bauby. Brilliant stuff !

If you enjoyed this interview with DoubtingThomas and would like to stay up to date with his work, visit him on twitter, Soundcloud, and Facebook.



When did you start writing/producing/playing music and what or who were your early passions and influences? What was it about music and/or sound that drew you to it?

I started as a child playing drums and guitar in local indie bands in the mid 90s. We played anything from classic rock to fusion instrumental music at the time.

I was already into composition back then and when new music technologies and computer software evolved I started to explore electronic sounds and apply it to my music. Slowly, I moved towards the more D&B, trip hop and electronic leaning sounds.

When I listen to music, I see shapes, objects and colours. What happens in your body when you're listening and how does it influence your approach to creativity?

That’s synaesthesia for you. I am a believer in the power of music and how sounds can influence perceptions and senses.

The Doubtingthomas project is all about it. I am trying to trigger as many emotions and images towards my music as possible.

How would you describe your development as an artist in terms of interests and challenges, searching for a personal voice, as well as breakthroughs?

I believe I have accomplished a great deal of artistic and personal achievement over the years. A lot more has happened than I could ever have dreamed of.

Since I never played the commercial game and followed my path regardless of what the industry business has become, it's been a long way to get there. But I am still here doing my thing and that’s amazing.

Tell me a bit about your sense of identity and how it influences both your preferences as a listener and your creativity as an artist, please. What, would you say, are the key ideas behind your approach to music and art?

I am definitely following my own humble path as a musician. I believe my musical project has kept its core intact over the years and my sound is really recognisable because of it. That's something that I am really proud of.

I really like music that has an artistic edge and that’s why I don't want to compromise with my own. The idea is to stay original I guess and not follow trends because it would bring me more success and money.

Art should prevail over business and remain truly real.

How would you describe your views on topics like originality and innovation versus perfection and timelessness in music? Are you interested in a “music of the future” or “continuing a tradition”?

I guess innovation is what I thrive for, perfection doesn’t exist, timelessness is of course the ultimate goal when you commit music to a record.

I would say I have a very modern approach to music although I am using old instrumental elements and classical music genres mixed into electronic music.

But Forward is the direction.

Over the course of your development, what have been your most important instruments and tools - and what are the most promising strategies for working with them?

I guess patience, commitment and dedication are tools necessary to thrive as an artist. It’s not always easy to break through the noise so these are absolutely necessary tools and instruments to have.

Could you describe your creative process on the basis of a piece, live performance or album that's particularly dear to you, please?

I am an early bird when it comes to studio work. I like the silence and quiet when I start to work on music.

I generally let the flow go without thinking or planning too much at first. When I feel something interesting coming up I start to develop ideas and structures.

It's a bit of a hit and miss approach. But when it hits the right spots, then something magical can happen.

Listening can be both a solitary and a communal activity. Likewise, creating music can be private or collaborative. Can you talk about your preferences in this regard and how these constellations influence creative results?

I am a bit of a loner when it comes to electronic music compositions, especially for live preparations of course.

But I am working on various projects with trained musicians. Sharing ideas is a must when you really have to learn from one another's skill set.

How do your work and your creativity relate to the world and what is the role of music in society?

Back when I first stepped into the world of electronic music and raving in particular, the movement was more of a counter culture, a world of its own outside of society. Like every past anti-capitalist artistic movement it moved our society in interesting ways up until the time it became more polished and accepted.

I am trying to keep my music interesting and as real regardless of what’s hot or commercially sound. I find it difficult sometimes to find a voice within today’s industry standards and what society feeds on.

Art can be a way of dealing with the big topics in life: Life, loss, death, love, pain, and many more. In which way and on which occasions has music – both your own or that of others - contributed to your understanding of these questions?

Music has always been the best emotional trigger and conjurer of memories. But also a great way to get strong political and societal issues messages out there. So is art in general.

There are way too many examples out there to mention but as far as I am concerned I am trying to send messages via music in pretty much all my work.

How do you see the connection between music and science and what can these two fields reveal about each other?  

Of course music and science connect in many ways, not just technically. But I believe also in more philosophical ways.

Creativity can reach many different corners of our lives. Do you feel as though writing or performing a piece of music is inherently different from something like making a great cup of coffee? What do you express through music that you couldn't or wouldn't in more 'mundane' tasks?

Everything can be done with love and passion, from cooking to arranging furniture. Every little task in life can be creative and artistic. I don’t think there is any difference and any tasks that involve being personally and physically engaged.

If you love something enough to give it time to perfect then that’s great. In music you can express a great deal of emotions and energy but it begins by perfecting your craft first a little bit like making a great cup of coffee. It takes time and dedication.

Music is vibration in the air, captured by our ear drums. From your perspective as a creator and listener, do you have an explanation how it able to transmit such diverse and potentially deep messages?

It’s all pretty mysterious to me. I'm still trying to figure this out. (laughs)