What is your name?
Martin Helleu
How did you come up with the stage name ‘Studio Montaigne? Originally this project started at school and as a duo but the name was Montaigne. After I graduated my friend and I launched this project in London.
What is your genre of music?
Pop house.
Give us a little bio about yourself.
I am from Paris and based there, I am a producer, composer and singer. Art is the most important thing to me. I guess it is a family affair.
Are you a signed band?
Some ep’s have been released with labels Cascine and Irradiant Hologram but Studio Montaigne is not a signed band yet.
Your new Ep is called ‘Believe’ can you tell us more about it.
We all need to believe in something. I guess I am just a believer.
Did you work on it with anyone if so who?
I composed and wrote “Believe” alone. Studio Montaigne is a solo project.
What was the recording process like? How was the writing process for the song?
The process was quite old school. Just a piano and my voice, the goal for me was to keep this song minimal.
Who did you play the EP to first?
I like to share my new production with close friends. Some of them are musicians too and if they don’t like it, they always tell me for sure.
Do you have any UK gigs or a tour coming up or in planning?
Not yet but we would love to play the Uk when the time is right.
if so where will you be heading? London for sure.
Do you play any instruments?
I play the piano and synthesizer but I am self taught.
Who are your influences?
It’s very eclectic: Raphael Saadiq, Disclosure, Duke Dumont, Paradis, French touch….
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
My inspirations are from love, or simple cool things.
Where do you see yourself in 5 Years?
I hope my music is successful so I can live in an island in my amazing studio with a view of the sea.
When you’re not making music, what do you do?
I am working on music all of the time. I am also working on a second musical project but it’s a secret right now..
Where is your dream venue to play in your hometown?
It would be at the top of the Montparnasse Tower.
If you could collaborate with one UK Artists or Band who would it be?
Duke Dumont, I think he is a genius.
If you could collaborate with one US Artists or Band who would it be?
One of my biggest dreams would be to work with Beyonce.
What was the song you listened to most that encouraged you to get into the music scene?
“Music sounds better with you” I was 12 when Stardust released this song, it has the best lyrics on earth to me!
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
If you think you are able to sing, do it.
Which show would you love your music to be played on?
Any Tim Burton movies.
What advice would you give to any aspiring musicians not about the industry but just as an artist?
Keep trying, don’t give up, be yourself.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow, learn as if you were to live forever” Ghandi
You get off a plane in your hometown,
1/ where is the first place you visit
The Louvre
2/ where is the first place you see
The Panthéon
3/ where is the fist food place you go and what do you get
Probably the famous steak house “l’entrecote” you can order the best profiteroles.
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
My lucky mic, my keyboard, my friends, water and the lyrics of course
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
www.instagram.com/studiomontaigne/
www.facebook.com/studiomontaignemusic
www.facebook.com/studiomontaignemusic
www.twitter.com/studiomontaigne
Studio Montaigne’s forthcoming EP Believe will be available from 3rd March from Parisian record label Irradiant Hologram with remixes from Employee of the Year, Tero and Chine Larcoche.
