Approaching its forty-year career, Simply Red continues to advance artistically, shaping its music at will, mixing rock, pop and traditional soul influences, without ever forgetting to look at the present time, both in terms of composition and lyrics.
How do you feel after leaving Time ?
I'm very happy with this record. I see it as a response to the previous one, Blue Eyed Soul. The latter was a tribute to African-American artists that I admire like James Brown or Otis Redding. It was designed for the stage, I intended to include three or four catchy pieces in our concerts. But then Covid arrived and the tour found itself canceled several times for two and a half years. The album was kind of killed by Covid. During this period, I found myself at home, like everyone else. So I picked up my guitar, both for fun, but also to practice and eventually improve.
Does the title Time reflects this introspective period?
When I think about Covid, it’s like a time jump. It didn't flow the same way, it was like it was frozen. In this, the title of the album is appropriate. Not everyone experienced it in the same way. I can't imagine how difficult it must have been for people living alone. On the other hand, for those living as a couple, it was the best way to test the relationship! (laughs) In fact, many people have realized that they prefer to spend time with family than to go to work five days a week. This has brought a major change in today's world.
Was the single “Better With You” written with this in mind?
Quite ! The title “Better With You” speaks for itself: we feel better when we are together. In this piece, I especially talk about my first meeting with my wife. In many cases, the first date with someone doesn't work out so well. At the time, you could make a mistake when copying the person's telephone number or you had the wrong meeting place, which could be fatal before the arrival of cell phones. In our case, I thought I had lost her, before remembering a bar she frequented.
You will soon return to France. One of your concerts will take place at the Arènes de Nîmes, a place steeped in history. Do you have any memories of dates in unusual places?
Yes, I really like this type of framework. We played at a similar venue in Pula, Croatia. We also played at the Arena of Palma de Mallorca. I can't wait to come back to France and I hope we will gain popularity there. I am also very happy that we are not limited to Paris during this tour. It's a beautiful country, I hope we play there more often. I like playing in Europe, it allows me not to be away from home for too long. All these countries are close to each other. Whereas it takes three months just to shoot in the United States.
Find this interview with Simply Red in full in WECB l'Hebdo n°122, available via our online store.
