Tilda
Photo by Pierre Lefort

Interview with musician Tilda —

1. Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Tilda, a French singer and songwriter based in Montreal, Québec, Canada. I grew up in Paris, in a family coming from Mediterranean islands called Corsica and Sardinia. I just released a new pop-electro EP “Nuits Blanches,” in addition to working as an editor-in-chief for a web media specialized in the culture scene all around Québec.

“Nuits Blanches” EP cover
Artwork by Maïa Wallis


2. Why music?
I just can’t imagine how it could be any other way. It was all about music when I was pretty young… I think I started to write songs and wanted to create my first band when I was eight years old. Music is a heart-felt moment that can be shared with people from all around the world, even if we don’t speak the same language or have the same references.

Tilda
Photo by Pierre Lefort


3. What is your earliest memory of wanting to be involved in music?
I have a lot of images coming from my childhood. For instance, my dad playing piano and me wanting to learn how to play this instrument too. Also, I felt such an attraction for music and performing on stage when I did my first shows at the music academy; or even at the outdoor center during vacation, when I was nominated to perform my songs and received chocolate bars and other candies as a reward. I was proud when my friends encouraged me and told me that my songs were so cool!

Tilda
Photo by Pierre Lefort


4. What are your favorite subject(s) and style(s)?
I love to talk about emotions and feelings jostling on the road of life, beauty – the rare and fragile one of a relationship, or the surprising one of a magic place we feel connected to –, change and self-reinvention. I also like to evoke forgiveness and the beginning of a new cycle that closes the loop. Finally, night and adventures are very inspiring subjects for my lyrics. If I had to choose, my favorite styles would be pop, rock, electro, electro pop, soul, R&B and sometimes folk.

Tilda
Photo by Emma Géraud

5. How do you work and approach a new piece that you are working on?
I first try to take a moment, preferably when it’s the end of the day. I don’t know why, at this time, I have a strange, dreamy and inspiring feeling. I write down all the thoughts, the ideas I have, even parts of a sentence or a song on my notebook. Then, I often realize that a theme, a story emerges from this whole mess. I take time to find other ideas, rearrange my text to make it better. When my lyrics are finally ready, it’s “piano time.” I can spend hours playing chords, finding the perfect mood for the song. The melody comes quite naturally from the superimposition of lyrics and chords. Also, I sometimes have harmonized back vocals in mind which can lead to a chord progression.

6. What are your favorite musician(s), singer(s)?
For the pop-electro aspect, I would say Christine and the Queens, BANKS, Halsey. They have great sounds, arrangements and atmospheres in their music. For the dreamy side, Angus & Julia Stone and Geoffroy are my crushes. When it’s about French pop, the artists Peter Peter, Charlotte Cardin and Julien Doré are the ones I often listen to. And I love Amy Winehouse, Alicia Keys and Adele when I’m in a soulish state of mind.

Tilda
Photo by Jeff Malo


7. What are the best responses you have had to your work?
First, the best response I ever had was support from friends and family. It represents so much for me and I know it wouldn’t be the same without their presence in my life. Collaborations with amazing artists are another great gift, and I especially think of the film director Guillaume Comtois or the music producer Seb Ruban, also my musician on stage Alex McNally. I played in great venues like Sentier des Halles in Paris, Ars Theatre in New York or Salle Claude-Léveillée in Montreal. Furthermore, I made it to the semi-finals of a contest called “Chante en français” this year, as a singer songwriter. And, a few days ago, a daily newspaper called 24 h Montréal announced my EP’s release party at Café Pastel Rita, a cute and intimate place in the city. I was really excited!

Tilda
Photo by Pierre Lefort


8. What do you like about your work?
Clearly, the creative aspect. I never get tired of searching for the perfect words and perfect notes to make my song as good as possible. It inspires me and gives me the sensation of doing something great in my life. Sometimes, it’s even cathartic. And, obviously, I like to share strong emotions with the audience and have fun playing with other musicians too!



9. What advice would you give to other musicians?
Take time to live your passion. Respect yourself in whatever you’re doing, don’t be afraid to be open and authentic. Share your message, enjoy every little moment, feel your emotions and live a very full life to have a lot of things to say and be inspired. Accept failure and use it to be stronger and more aware of the next challenges.

Tilda
Photo by Emma Géraud


10. Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?
I don’t know, and it’s ok like that. I just hope I’ll be somewhere where I’ll feel good. I think I’m a wanderer. That being said, I become attached to places and people, and I sometimes miss where I come from. The only thing I know is that I definitely see myself with my lover Éric and our little dog Lucie. I’m blessed to have them in my life. And I hope that, in 5-10 years, I will have gone on a beautiful journey with my musical project Tilda, and that I will have grown with it.

Tilda
Photo by Emma Géraud
Makeup by Sailor Jassie

LINKS —

 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tildaofficiel/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tildaofficiel/
Bandcamp: http://tildaofficiel.bandcamp.com

YouTube videos :
• Tilda – “Mea culpa” (Official video) : https://youtu.be/DwwrZYc0cX8
• Dans la bulle de… Tilda – “Nuits Blanches” [version 360°] (Recording studio) : https://youtu.be/mGv8ReKx3Mo