Start Listening To: Cosmopaark
With recently released debut album 'And I Can't Breathe Enough' we catch up with Cosmopaark.
'And I Can't Breathe Enough' is the debut album from Cosmopaark, which explores anxiety and depression with a unique blend of emo, shoegaze, pop, slowcore, and Walls of distortion and reverb. The album is a journey of reflection and hope, with ten songs that take the listener on an emotional rollercoaster, from the depths of despair to the heights of elation. We caught up with the band to learn more about their music.
Can you tell us who you are, where you’re from, and something about the music you make?
Clément : We are Cosmopaark from Bordeaux, France. We define our music as shoegaze/ dream pop.
Can you tell us about some themes on your upcoming debut album and I can’t breathe enough?
Clément : It’s quite an introspective album. It tackles personal matters like mental health, especially anxiety and depression.
What inspired you to write your debut?
Clément : Writing music has always been cathartic for me, it’s a way to express emotions that can’t come out any other way. In this first LP, I wanted to talk in simple terms about issues we don't usually address, particularly in French society and occidental society in general.
We listened to a lot of stuff during the writing of this LP: records from dream pop/alt rock bands (Froth, Ulrika Spacek, Alvvays, Soccer Mommy). We also listened to a lot of midwest emo, post hardcore and ambient records.
How do you produce your music?
Baptiste : We self-recorded the album at home, except for the drums that were recorded in a concert venue where Clément works.
Clément : We produced the album with Clément Fortin (who also produced Tapeworms’s album). The idea was to find the balance between dynamics/precision and something pretty dense and dreamy.
What’s it like working with Flippin’ Freaks Records?
Clement : Flippin’ Freaks is a label but it’s also a collective of musicians we're in. They are good friends of ours, and we already worked with them for the release of our first EP ‘Sunflower’.
For this record, we also worked with Howlin’ Banana Records who coordinated the release. It’s a pretty cool label, we really appreciate working with them. And we worked with Stellar Frequencies who handcrafted beautiful cassettes !
What has been your most memorable live performance?
Baptiste : Back in 2020, we opened for Ride in Bordeaux. It was a really good show, we were so glad to play with one of the Shoegaze pioneers.
What’s the French shoegaze scene like?
Clément : There's not really a strong shoegaze scene. But there are pretty cool bands like Tapeworms, Marble Arch, Brian Magic Tears, Midscale...
Maybe there will be one soon?
What has been the most difficult challenge you have faced as a band?
Baptiste : It's quite difficult not to lose money when you start an indie band, so we did everything ourselves : booking shows, directing music videos, releasing records... It demands so much energy!
Name an artist you’re still listening to from when you were younger and why?
Simon : Slipknot because of the two first LPs. Baptiste : Blink 182 because of Travis Barker.
Clement : Mogwai because I've got the feeling that this band is timeless. Each album has something special and I can't get enough of it!
What do you love right now?
Clement : Sorry - Anywhere But Here, Soccer Mommy - Sometimes, Forever, Alvvays - Blue Rev
Baptiste : Bdrmm - Bedroom
Simon : Jesus Piece - Gates of Horn Zulu - Where I’m From Chat Pile - God’s Country
What do you hate right now?
Baptiste : Licorice !
Clement : Same for me.
Simon : Give me yours then
Are there any other releases you’re looking forward to in 2023?
Clement : Daughter - Stereo Mind Game
Simon : Ulrika Spacek - Compact Trauma
Baptiste : I’m still waiting for the next The Cure record…
