What is your names?
My name is Dominic, although as an artist I go by Noah Bouchard. Noah and Bouchard are my two middle names, so there’s no cool story behind me picking that stage name unfortunately.
What is your genre of music?
Hip Hop. Although hip hop is such a broad genre now and I don’t necessarily stick to one sub-genre of it, but recently my music has been going in more of a jazz rap or alternative direction. It’s always subject to change though.
What made you go into music?
I wish I knew. I don’t remember starting. I’m a pretty introverted and reserved person, but I guess it was some subconscious desire for attention.
Are you a signed?
Nope!
You have released your new single ‘Going Grey’, tell us more about the single.
Going Grey is a jazz rap song produced by Minas and featuring Knomad. It’s also got artwork by Rebecca Chang. I rap for the first half of the song then Knomad brings the harmonies in the second half, which is obviously my favourite part of the song
What is the meaning behind the single?
I was talking about it a few days ago and described it as capturing the feeling of ‘a dull journey to an anticlimactic destination’. I’d say the song is about feeling hopeless about the future and the direction of your life as the world looks progressively more bleak. But I’m sure everything will be fine!
Describe the track in two words.
Worth trying.
What was the writing process like?
My section of the track I actually wrote pretty quickly! I was going to Razkid’s Life is Strange video shoot in Cardiff and wrote most the verse while waiting for a bus in torrential rain. After around half an hour I realised the bus was never coming so I walked to the train station and wrote the last few lines on the train to town.
What was the recording process like?
I went to Minas’ place the morning after that video shoot and showed him what I wrote. He made the beat there and then and I recorded my part that morning (although I may have redone it a few weeks later, I can’t remember). I knew I wanted a singer to end the track but I hadn’t heard Knomad’s music at that point and sat with it for a while. After hearing what Knomad does I sent it over to him during lockdown and the rest was done remotely.
Who did you work with on the single?
Minas and Knomad! Super lucky to work with such talented guys! For those who don’t know, I’ve been working with Minas for a while, he’s an incredible producer, singer and all-round musician. And Knomad is also an amazing singer and producer, he raps sometimes too and even played some saxophone on Going Grey, so they’re both multi-talented! I don’t know what they see in me but I’m so grateful to be surrounded with these people. Also Rebecca Chang with the artwork, she’s a great artist, she can be followed on Instagram @changhaaai to see more of her work.
Will we a music video for the track?
No, but I did make a little lyric video which is on my YouTube channel now.
Will we see an EP or Album and if so what can we expect?
Don’t hold your breath. But I do have plenty more individual songs on the way!
Do you have any online shows coming up?
Honestly I don’t have any planned, but maybe if people want to see it I can make it happen.
What else can we expect in 2020?
A few more songs and videos for sure. I’m also part of a rapper-producer duo with Volcano Szn called Salad Salads on, and you can expect to hear a bit of that too.
Do you have any collaborations coming up with any upcoming artists?
I’ve got a banging song with Luke RV sitting on my laptop right now.
Would you be up for collaborations if other musicians wanted one with you? and who would they have to contact?
Absolutely! Just contact me, I’m nowhere near rich or famous enough to have a middle man!
Do you play any instruments?
I used to try to play trumpet and piano, but I was pretty awful at both.
Who are your influences?
My influences change on such a regular basis. But currently I’d say Frankie Stew and Harvey Gunn, Loyle Carner, Little Simz and Jesse James Solomon are the main influences on my sound, and Father John Misty, Will Toledo (from Car Seat Headrest), Nick Cave and David Berman (RIP) are the main influences on my writing. Not that I’m anywhere close to the level of any of those artists but I’m trying!
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
It really varies, but I find it hard to force inspiration. It tends to come to me at the least convenient times.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
Probably cringing at everything I’m saying, doing and making now! But seriously, hopefully I’ll be happy, confident, comfortable and maybe with a pet tortoise. And still making music I’m sure!
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
Until recently I’ve been at uni, so mostly getting on with that. But in my free time, when I’m not making music I’m likely listening to music, I pretty obsessively listen to as many albums as I can from as many artists as I can over as many genres as I can. I see my friends sometimes too.
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more into the music scene?
Tough question. If I go back to when I first started to properly get into music and hip hop in particular, then probably Lupe Fiasco’s Food and Liquor album. I used to listen to that all the time.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
Do what comes naturally to you. It’s easy to get caught up chasing the popular sound or what you think people would like, but when it’s forced it feels inauthentic and you won’t get the same personal satisfaction out of it. All my favourite songs of my own have been totally honest and flowed out easily, they feel better and sound better.
Where in your hometown is a must go to visit?
Minas’ studio. Cardiff bay is nice too.
Your coming off tour;
1/ Where do you go first? Home! I would need my own bed and my own space.
2/ Who do you see first? Soa, she’s my closest friend.
3/What do you eat first? Luckily I’m not a fussy eater, so just about anything. But I’d happily eat any Indian curry at any point, so that might be my preference.
Listen to Going Grey Here
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
Instagram
Twitter
Facebook
But search ‘Noah Bouchard’ anywhere and you’ll probably find me!
