Name: Zoë Mc Pherson
Nationality: French-Irish
Occupation: multi-media artist
Current project: Late night ICA London with Jana Rush
Recommendation: I love the biography of Leonora Carrington. She’s such an incredible, strong, badass artist. I think if my grandma had had time to finish her autobiography it would be somehow similar so I really connected with it / L’Rain’s music.
If you enjoyed this interview with Zoë Mc Pherson you can visit the website / for tour dates and information, or Instagram
When I listen to music, I see shapes, objects and colours. What happens in your body when you're listening? Do you listen with your eyes open or closed?
Open and closed.
What were your very first steps in music like - and how do you rate gains made through experience versus the naiveté of those first steps?
With mom singing, starting mixing for her shows, playing drums.
It was never naïve, music is a business (!) and music is a powerful healing and connecting tool (!!).
According to scientific studies, we make our deepest and most incisive musical experiences between the ages of 13-16. What did music meant to you at that age and what’s changed since then?
I was touring with my parents during some summers. And started working at festivals in South of France at age 13 too, although people thought I was 16.
I loved having my hands on the mixer and being in control of the effects when my mother was singing, it sounded so cool back then when I didn’t know that much about electronic music.
Over the course of your development, what have been your most important instruments and tools and how have they shaped your perspective on music?
Percussions, Drums, Ableton.
What, would you say, are the key ideas behind your approach to music and what motivates you to create?
Some people ask me on Instagram these kind of questions, even existential questions, sometimes it looks like they are really in search for help and emotional support.
I answer sometimes.
Sound, song, and rhythm are all around us, from animal noises to the waves of the ocean. What, if any, are some of the most moving experiences you've had with these non-human-made sounds? In how far would you describe them as “musical”?
Animals can have a crazy palette of sound. You’ve all thought they can sound like high sound design / 50K modular systems no? I wish I had time to be moved more often and write poetry lol, but I have work to do.
From very deep/high/loud/quiet sounds to very long/short/simple/complex compositions - are there extremes in music you feel drawn to and what response do they elicit?
Dynamic, realistic.
From symphonies and traditional verse/chorus-songs to linear techno tracks and free jazz, there are myriads ways to structure a piece of music. Which approaches work best for you – and why?
I change approaches depending on the tracks. I don’t stick with things for too long, that’s my style but it might change too.
Could you describe your creative process on the basis of one of your pieces, live performances or albums that's particularly dear to you, please?
Melody, drums and breaks, sound design elements, lyrics, vocal recording - Lamella.
Sometimes, science and art converge in unexpected ways. Do you conduct “experiments” or make use of scientific insights when you're making music?
Yes, that’s my favourite, I like finding odd rhythms with experimentation indeed.
How does the way you make music reflect the way you live your life? Can we learn lessons about life by understanding music on a deeper level?
Yes, hell yes! If you’ve allowed yourself to be sensitive enough to sounds and what story it tells, then you won’t need me to explain it.
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?
I think mundane tasks are awesome. How better can one truly enjoy the present? Or would you rather continue rushing (like I do) with 1000 tasks on your list in 20 different countries, thousands started conversations, having the illusion you have the choice to buy everything and have it delivered immediately cus basically, the companies are exploiting people but you’re happy cus you bought your crop top that a child produced for you to take a selfie and show your friends (the ones that were selected for you and have not been censored yet) how hot you look when you add a filter that actually makes everyone look hot? So, you’re back to being nothing, like everyone is, and maybe you’d rather start your day by making a nice cup of coffee or tea or herbal or juice or whatever that tastes delicious, hopefully that was made with respect to nature, with coffee farmers working in good conditions. You made it with love for yourself, maybe also for some others that you love too, took a bit of time to sip it, sip by sip, and maybe that’s the poetic moment of your day to slow down before the rush starts again :)
Music is my life since the start, it’s everything, everything goes in there, comes from there, I don’t know how else to put it.
Hope you have a nice coffee :)
Every time I listen to "Albedo 0.39" by Vangelis, I choke up. But the lyrics are made up of nothing but numbers and values. Do you, too, have a song or piece of music that affects you in a way that you can't explain?
Interesting, I’ll give it a listen. Will try to think about a piece that affects me in a way that is transcendental when I have free time and mental space.
If you could make a wish for the future – what are developments in music you would like to see and hear?
More caring, "awareness" discussions not even needing to be explained anymore, more energy and value for mental health. More money for creators and for people working hard. Less focus on superficial things. More value on composition, depth, pieces that take years to be developed.
