IS IT A MYTH THAT POP MUSIC SHOULD BE CAREFREE?
IS THE VIBE YOU GET STEPPING INTO THAT LUMINOUS SPACE? DOES BASTIAN EMIL’S DARK POP COSMOS REALLY EXIST?
HE’S PART OF SECRET LIFE DUO, NOW GOING SOLO WITH GRAND PRIX.
FOR “SEMPER PRIMUS/TANDEM MORTEM”, THE POP LANDSCAPE TRANSFORMS INTO DARK, MAJESTIC BEATS. BASTIAN EMIL’S SOLO VENTURE SHINES WITH CAPTIVATING VOCALS, DELIVERING INTROSPECTIVE LYRICS ON DEATH, TRIUMPH, AND ELEGANCE.
“GASOLINE COURSES THROUGH MY VEINS, BOLD DECISIONS DEFINE MY NAME,” HE CROONS, FOLLOWED BY: “NO ONE’S COMING TO MY RESCUE.” BEAUTY AND DEATH DANCE HAND IN HAND IN “GRAND PRIX” — A BLEND OF REQUIEMS, MARCHING BAND TUNES, AND LOVE BALLADS. IT’S THE SOUNDTRACK TO RACE CARS TEARING THROUGH THE ABYSS. OR, AS BASTIAN EMIL PUTS IT:
“MUSIC FOR THOSE WITH RACING HEARTS AND A POETIC MIND.”
GRAND PRIX UNPLUGGED
BASTIAN HAILS FROM LYNGSBY, JUST OUTSIDE COPENHAGEN. HIS MUM’S A VICAR, SO THEY LIVED IN A 500-YEAR-OLD VICARAGE — A REAL ROMANTIC SPOT, HE’LL TELL YA. HE PICKED UP DRUMS AT NINE, UNDER THE WING OF A COWBOY-ESQUE TEACHER IN BOOTS REEKING OF FAG SMOKE.
Bastian Emil, renowned for his distinctive presence in the music scene as part of the duo Secret Life, steps boldly into the spotlight with his solo venture, Grand Prix. Known for his mesmerizing vocals and profound lyrical depth, Bastian Emil presents “Grand Prix” as a compelling exploration into the realms of dark pop and majestic beats.
“Grand Prix” marks a significant evolution in Bastian Emil’s musical journey, encapsulating themes of mortality, triumph, and aesthetic beauty. The project intertwines haunting melodies with powerful narratives, offering listeners an immersive experience that transcends conventional pop music.
Drawing inspiration from his upbringing in Lyngby, Denmark, amidst the historic backdrop of a 500-year-old vicarage, Bastian Emil’s artistic vision is steeped in a rich tapestry of mythological influences and heroic tales. His early immersion in drumming, guided by a charismatic mentor, laid the foundation for his musical odyssey, culminating in the creation of “Grand Prix.”
DT 500 MAG: – Bastian, give us a crack at defining yourself.
BASTIAN: –I would like it to be a mix of Dorian Grey and The Count Of Monte Cristo. I’m not afraid of getting old, and I’m not searching for revenge. Still, the elegance, power, and surroundings of pure beauty that these characters embody are something I strive for significantly.
DT 500 MAG: – And your upbringing?
BASTIAN: – None of my parents plays any instruments, and they don’t listen to music that much. I only remember I wanted to play the drums, and that’s how everything started. My first band was called “Fire Drums.”
DT 500 MAG: -You told us you grew up in a 500-year-old rectory. How was that experience?
BASTIAN: – It is a beautiful place, and I understood that very early. I remember listening to the church bells ringing every day very distinctly. Growing up like that enlightened me to understand history and be interested in mythology and religious stories.
DT 500 MAG: – You’re into old heroic tales like the Iliad. What’s your personal epic?
BASTIAN: – We are all trying to conquer the world somehow. I’m obsessed with the idea of a real hero. Heroic stories are all about courage, beauty, death, and even tragedy in one. And that is present from Achilles to Alexander the Great, Napoleon, or in sports, for example, Fausto Coppi.
DT 500 MAG: -Your mag, Killer View — who are you aiming to slay?
BASTIAN: – I wanted to create a printed magazine that was beautiful and diverse. The publication includes art, poems, historic articles, essays, and lyrics. I wanted to show people that printed publications last forever.
DT 500 MAG: – Grand Prix — what’s the deal?
BASTIAN: – My image is the world champion? The impregnable star who runs everything. But I also want to express the dark side of sound. There is a massive doubt in yourself that every person must have. You can wake up one day and feel unbeatable; the next day, you feel miserable. How do you rise? History shows that everyone is in doubt for themselves once in a while. But this corrosive doubt mixed with your ambition of being an emperor is what you create: something compelling.
“The music is a majestic, elegant march, but I still strive to make it shaking and vulnerable. It must sound important.”
DT 500 MAG: – Grand Prix for a stage name — why’s that?
BASTIAN: – First, I find it beautiful, and I like letters and articulation. The meaning of the name is ‘the great price,’ and to win the highest prize of all must be the goal for everyone, whatever people want to do with their lives. Then there is the reference to sport. I enjoy watching cycling; it is the closest you get to showing the self-dissolving effort required to write your name into history.
DT 500 MAG: – Secret Life, now Grand Prix solo — what’s the scoop?
BASTIAN: I collaborate closely with my friend Patrick Kociszewski. We created Secret Life together, where he sings. He helped and was a significant influence in shaping the universe I wanted with the Grand Prix. He also helped me improve my voice. I would describe my voice as an almost crooning deep voice from the bottom of my heart.
DT 500 MAG: – You live in Copenhagen; how does it influence your work?
BASTIAN: – I think the grey weather is the first thing I think of when I think about Copenhagen. The consistent tones of grey make you hungry for something colourful. I like to think that Copenhagen hasn’t changed – it looks the same as when Kierkegaard walked around in his yellow jacket. But honestly, I don’t find that much inspiration in Copenhagen.
DT 500 MAG: – What style of music are you making, guys?
BASTIAN: – As I noted earlier, I will name it Majestic March Music.
DT 500 MAG: – Bastian, what are you singing about?
BASTIAN: – My lyrics are about the conqueror, the world champion, whose style is glaring. What comes to his mind, and how he rises to conquer the dark obstructions that threaten to ruin life.
DT 500 MAG: – Tips for boosting the mind?
BASTIAN: Take a walk, read books, and have patience. Personally, I read about the Greek gods.
DT 500 MAG: -Gigs lined up?
BASTIAN: The next step is releasing my EPline. I’m also doing play shows. The next one will be on November 21st on vinyl and on.
Speaking about his solo debut, Bastian Emil explains, “Grand Prix represents the pursuit of excellence and the exploration of the darker dimensions of sound. It’s a reflection of personal and universal themes, where every track resonates with a blend of introspection and grandeur.”
The debut EP from Grand Prix promises to deliver an unforgettable auditory experience, combining elements of requiems, marching band motifs, and poignant ballads. From the evocative lyrics to the intricate musical arrangements, each composition invites the audience into a world where beauty and melancholy converge.
Accompanying the EP release, Bastian Emil will be performing live, with a special showcase scheduled for November 21st, promising an evening of immersive music that captivates both heart and mind.
About Bastian Emil: Bastian Emil is a visionary musician and songwriter, known for his contributions to the duo Secret Life and now embarking on his solo project, Grand Prix. With a background rooted in mythological tales and a passion for evocative storytelling, Bastian Emil’s music resonates with audiences seeking depth and innovation in contemporary pop.
#rapture!
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Interview by Arthur Sopin
Photo by Joe Skilton
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