September the 17th marked the beginning of Jef Barbara‘s European tour. Before the release of his new full-length Soft to the Touch (out September 30th), A Music Blog, Yea? caught up with this Montréal-based glam-pop creator to talk about the video for I Know I’m Late, 80’s nuances, and Victorian vibes. Check it out below:
AMBY: Hello Jef Barbara, how are you and what have you been up to lately?
Jef Barbara: I am well, thanks for asking. I’ve been up to many things lately. Mainly plotting my European tour, starting off September 17th in Paris. I’m listening to David Bowie’s Scary Monsters LP right now.
AMBY: How would you describe your sound to those unfamiliar with your music?
Jef Barbara: I would describe what I do as glam. The word encompasses many genres, its main characteristic is that it’s always sprinkled with various amounts of glitter.
AMBY: The video for I Know I’m Late is very neat. How did you come up with the concept for it?
Jef Barbara: My friend did! He thought the song had a kiddy vibe to it, and suggested I shoot it in a schoolyard with kids playing. I initially thought it was going to be impossible, but it just so happens that one of the label heads’ wife owns a pre-school. We sent a letter to the parents and some of them were cool enough to let theirs kids be part of the video.
AMBY: We love the 80’s nuances tangled throughout I Know I’m Late. What inspired the song’s sound?
Jef Barbara: The four main influences on I Know I’m Late are (Prince and) The Revolution, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, and Gary Numan. It’s the poppiest song on the record.
AMBY: Your album Soft To The Touch comes out on September 30th. What is the significance behind the album’s title?
Jef Barbara: I find that the title sounds good. It also denotes a fondness for effeminacy, swooning, mannerisms, frailty and other Victorian vibes.
AMBY: Does hailing from Montréal have an influence on your sound? And if so, how?
Jef Barbara: It does since me as well as all the people I collaborate with are based out of Montreal.
AMBY: What did you listen to growing up, and what have you been listening to lately?
Jef Barbara: I usually dislike talking about what I listen to. Exposing your musical tastes for me is more about how you want to be perceived, rather than what you really like, to a certain extent. I’ll just say that I listen to many different things.
AMBY: What would the fortune teller predict about Jef Barbara down the road?
Jef Barbara: The fortune teller will predict fortune, fame and beauty.
AMBY: What’s the best song of the year?
Jef Barbara: Soft To The Touch.
AMBY: And lastly, what’s something about Jef Barbara that nobody knows yet?
Jef Barbara: Nobody knows anything yet.
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Thank you Jef Barbara, for giving us your answers!
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Alicia Atout