Rediscovering the world, 25 years later, with Moon Safari.
Mexico City transforms into a mosaic of lights as night descends about him Fray Nano Stadium. The public, entertained by the other acts, also remains impatiently waiting to hear the debut album air from head to toe and celebrate together the 25 years of the album.
Jean-Benoit and Nicolas, despite the years and the kilometers traveled tour after tour, They maintain their enthusiasm for discovering the world, a world that, like them, is evolving. Traveling for them is more than a part of their agenda: it is an opportunity to rediscover what their music means in every culture, in every corner of the planet.
“It is exciting to travel so much because we see the world, recently we went to United States and, well, when you go on tour you can see positive changes and realize the changes in a country. It's something very interesting. (…) It is always a pleasure for us to be in Mexico, we are from France but both are countries Latinos and the food and language make us feel closer and more comfortable than in USA”.
As for Mexico, we can notice that there is something in the heat of this land that resonates with them, a connection that goes beyond the obvious, a feeling of familiarity and mysticism that surrounds them every time they set foot on Mexican soil.
“The Mexican audience surprised us from the first time because, although it is something Similar to South America, people are very different here. People are very romantic, they may have dark thoughts or they may be very deep. Is a vibe that surprises us a lot because we can also feel the past of the Aztecs. For example in Argentina you hear almost only Spanish but here it is different because the civilizations and customs of the past are still alive. For us it is very exciting, there is nothing like the Aztecs or the Mayans in Paris.”
The musical journey of air It has not been easy, but it has been guided by a constant search for authenticity and honesty in his art. For them, uncertainty is part of the process, and after more than two decades, the band has learned to hug her
When you make music you never know what people are going to think or what they expect from you. The only thing you can do is give your best and prepare as best as possible. You don't know what they're going to like or what they're not going to like. We try to avoid mistakes so on tour it is very important to be in good shape, eat well and sleep well, because music is also a challenge. “It takes discipline, after 21 years you need a lot of discipline.”
About Moon Safari, the album that had the audience that night expectant, the group mentions the timelessness of the album and how they have directed their decisions creative.
“It is impossible to talk about air Not to mention his masterpiece, Moon Safari. They have almost three decades have passed since its release and yet its sound continues being timeless, as if time had not passed. Moon Safariour first disk, it is very well known and is probably the disk that works best. we did it 27 years ago and we don't understand why this album became more than the others and is that while we were making more music we were also achieving a more sound. sophisticated. I don't know if people don't like more sophisticated music, I think They prefer something simpler and with emotions, and this album is very emotional than ever. He stopped talking to people. I think that's the definition of a classic.”
“We don't have favorite songs, because each song is about our lives and each song tells a different story. We also both have a very strong point of view. different about each of those stories and songs. For me (Jean-Benoit) I would be 'New Star In The Sky because it's a song I wrote about the birth of my son and a moment for my family that was unique. When we play this record it's like opening an album of photos in which each song is a memory. Music has the ability to capture moments and interpreting them on stage is to live them again and share them.”
The duo once again highlights their motivations for applause or the spotlight. Rather That is, there is a genuine desire to connect, regardless of the size of the stage or the magnitude of the public.
“For next year we hope to give more concerts, this is a very good tourhas been a success and there are many people who want to see us so we have to do everything possible to go. It doesn't matter if it's a festival or solo concert, when you travel to different parts of the world and tours so you have to get used to the fact that in some countries you are going to be an act large and in other countries it will be quite the opposite. We never know what will be until We arrive in the country and of course we never stop to think if we are going to be important here or there because they are meaningless expectations.”
That need to create something meaningful is palpable in each of their albums, especially in his debut Moon Safariwhich remains a classic in its own right. For air, The most important thing in his music is the exploration of what he feels, what can connect, rather than a means to fame.
We never had that expectation of being rock stars, for us it was more like a fantasy of replicating what it was like to walk into your older brother's room and see his albums by The Police and The Clash and know inside of yourself that one day you would make a record So. “It was never about fame or being big, but about creating something meaningful.”
Jean-Benoit he sums it up with a sincerity that reveals his genuine love for playing live. “We just want people to be very happy listening to this album live, we know that There are many bands that get together just for business and for us that is not the case. TO It took us a long time to understand what a blessing it was to create this album and it is a pleasure to play for you.”
It is this desire to make their audience happy that sets them apart. air of so many bands that They embark on tours for purely commercial reasons. For them, playing live is a privilege, an opportunity to share a special moment with those who have followed them for years.
Night fell and the first notes of Moon Safari They began to resonate, embracing the public with an experience that only air can offer.
