Parjure, a band from Annecy that has been very active in recent years, grants us the privilege of discussing with them their future and past tours, experiences that have shaped their identity. We had the opportunity to discuss in depth the trajectory undertaken by the French band. Their evolution, due to their commitment to their music and relationships, is very evident over the years. So we talk about their passion over time and emphasize past and upcoming tours and learn some good news if you are a fan of the band. Hurry up and read this great interview now.
1. Which song or performance do you think was the turning point for Parjure, the one that truly defined the group's identity and direction?
There haven't really been any radical turning points. We are fundamentally two founding members, Hugo (vocals) and Yohann (guitar). The identity and direction of the band have been naturally guided by lineup changes (drummer and bassist), and by concert experience.
When Melvin joined the band after the release of the 1st EP, on drums, he brought a different approach in terms of composition, which led us to release the 2nd EP "Who I Am," already a bit more polished than the first release.
We tried to make an even bigger impact in 2022 with the release of our 1st album "The Uncrowned King," more varied and more accomplished. These are roughly the important choices made by the band.
Beyond these directions, we were fortunate to play on great lineups such as Shedfest, OLOC, 8FEST, Riip Fest, which contribute to gaining maturity and experience!
2. Can you share an anecdote from the early days of Parjure that illustrates a decisive moment or a challenge you had to overcome together?
Because we like you, here are two anecdotes from our early days. Our first date in Germany: We were invited to play at a big party in Zwickau, East Germany, with some very good bands.
A week before departure, our drummer at the time fell ill and informed us that he couldn't come. We wanted to keep this opportunity at all costs. So, we asked the drummer from Clench Your Fist for a last-minute replacement. He learned the set in three days, remotely, and we managed, sometimes improvising live! I'm told that if you look carefully, this set is available on YouTube.
The evening ended quietly in a gang fight with pepper spray in the room, and we had to sleep in the hall... Quite an eventful night!
Melvin's first concert as a drummer: after a simple audition playing just one song, we called him two days later to ask him to cover his first gig, which was scheduled for the next day! He accepted... Between the forgetfulness, improvisation, and power outage, the performance naturally ranked among our worst shows ever. Nevertheless, with this proof of bravery, Melvin joined the band full-time and we love him for it.
3. How do the anti-religious themes in your music serve to challenge or question established power structures and institutions?
The themes addressed are not identified as anti-religious, but everyone is free to interpret them. The lyrics are not meant to challenge institutions, but are rather Hugo's personal feelings.
4. The song "Roanoke" references the lost colony of Roanoke. How is this historical story used to illustrate themes of abandonment and loss in the album?
This piece is a bit different from the others; it has a special, dark atmosphere. Ultimately, like this story that resembles a myth. Hugo, having loved this story, decided to reference it in order to bring something new to this album.
5. In the song "The Uncrowned King," Parjure uses the imagery of a "throne of deceit" to portray a sense of solitude and desolation. How does this imagery reinforce the overall message of the album, and what impact does it have on the listener?
As previously mentioned, the themes of loss, abandonment, and desolation are very present in the album. Regarding "The Uncrowned King," we chose to highlight the story of a lone King, feigning tranquility while the reality is quite different. We believe these feelings can be shared, present among listeners just as we have experienced them ourselves.
6. The song "Enfant Malheur" seems to address themes such as pain, loss, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. Why did you choose this text to convince JP, the singer of Get The Shot, to sing it in a language other than English?
The choice of JP was made because this title was the most suitable for him. We really wanted him, and for him to sing in French! He had never done it before. He wasn't even sure of the outcome, but after recording, he found it very good. His vocal power and high notes work very well with the atmosphere of this title. We thank him again for his participation!
7. Looking back, are there elements or ideas you explored in your early work that you would like to revisit or reinterpret with the perspective you have now?
We have tried some live reinterpretations of old tracks from the first EPs so that they fit more with our current perspective. From one album to another, the style has evolved, so it's clear that we would do things differently if we were to do it again.
8. You tour a lot, including playing at Beat Em’ Down 4 in Manchester in the United Kingdom. How did your performance go, and was the reception warm?
The reception was wonderful; we were fortunate to be welcomed and assisted by very good people. We had a lot of fun on stage and the audience was receptive. It was the best way to wrap up our mini UK tour with No Face No Case and Final Words!
9. Speaking of hitting the road, other than in your heritage, France, which other city or country makes you feel at home?
Our second home could be Germany! We play there regularly and are always well received.
10. And indeed, you will be crossing the Atlantic to join your Canadian cousins next August, playing 5 dates with Scarfold, who we believe recently visited you. What are your anticipations for this tour?
This tour was particularly driven by the warm reception of our album within the Quebec community; we received a lot of support from wonderful people. Our first expectation, therefore, is not to disappoint them, to thank them, to have fun on stage, and to give back the strength they've given us. More generally, we hope to perform good concerts, discover a culture, leave proud and full of memories!
11. Afterwards, do you consider the possibility of entering the studio and delivering a new record to your fans before the end of the year, or do tours remain a priority?
We don't have any new releases planned, but we are in the process of preparing new music and who knows, maybe we'll try them out in your area!
| PARJURE MEDIA : |
We really appreciated the precision on certain topics like their lyrics and the messages they want to convey. It's always interesting to hear different viewpoints on understanding, which can sometimes vary from one person to another, that's why we love to discuss them on an interview. We were captivated by their tour stories and hope to see them soon. We wish them a lot of fun and a great battle on stage in Canada on their next tour. And we are eagerly awaiting the future recordings. Thank you, Parjure.
