Interview with French/American duo Freedom Fry

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[su_quote cite=”about a fun live show experience”]We needed some group vocals and claps to fill it out, so each show night we brought recording gear and got the audience involved by recording them doing the different parts mid-set. It turned out great and now their vocals and claps are immortalized in that recording, so it makes it fun for us to listen to it.[/su_quote]

What inspired the name Freedom Fry?

Our sound always felt like an even split between our two nationalities – French & American. We have many elements of Americana, folk and California, but a lot of our vocal melodies & production are influenced by our love for European music. Particularly from the 1960s and 1970s. When we were choosing a name we remembered the phase we went through in America in 2003 when people were upset with the French and decided to rename their French fries ‘Freedom Fries’ in retaliation. It felt so fitting for an American guy and a French girl getting along so harmoniously to choose that name for their band.

Craziest or most fun live show experience?

We did a residency at The Echo in 2015 and at that time we were working on a new song called “21.” We needed some group vocals and claps to fill it out, so each show night we brought recording gear and got the audience involved by recording them doing the different parts mid-set. It turned out great and now their vocals and claps are immortalized in that recording, so it makes it fun for us to listen to it.

What drives you to keep on going forward?

We’re addicted to writing songs. We get high on making music. We just do it. It’s who we are. I think even if we didn’t have the band we would just write them for us because it’s the way we bond and have fun.

Describe the songwriting process?

Fast… Usually. It either starts with an idea for a melody or a rhythmic foundation and then it either comes together or it doesn’t. We abandon a lot of ideas if they’re not feeling strong enough. We usually make one or two iPhone voice memos a day. We try to write many songs and then only finish ones we feel great about.

When in tour, name a track that has to be heard on the way or before to get you pumped?

There’s not really a specific song because it changes all the time, but pre-show time is all about disco and stretches.

2017 is just starting, what are the plans for Freedom Fry?

2017 is just starting but we already released six songs so far. We spent most of last year planning and releasing our single, Shaky Ground, and in the meantime we were writing tons of songs and we’ve been itching to put them out. We still have way more coming up and are also working on our first full length album that we’ll release sometime this year. So we can basically say that 2017 will be the year we released the most songs.

Mantra and/or philosophy that describes your approach to life and music?

There are a few things that we try to live by. First of all we always try to do our best in anything we do. We work hard because that really is the key and act the way we’d like for people to act towards us. And secondly, we try to take things as they come, write melodies as they come, take people as they are, basically, we try not to expect too much. I think that this is the key to happiness, no pressure and no disappointment.

Album that you currently can’t stop listening?

Bruce: Father John Misty’s Fear Fun

Marie: Metronomy’s Love Letters

Artist/s that inspired you?

Bruce: My entire childhood was spent listening to They Might Be Giants. Their melodies are beautiful. I think they get overlooked sometimes because they’re so quirky, but they’re geniuses. More recent bands I love would be Miike Snow and Beach House.

Marie: Serge Gainsbourg.

Your favorite track of your repertoire?

Bruce: Shaky Ground.

Marie: Right now it would be “Songbird.” But I’ve always loved “Home.”

Best place to hear great music in France and USA?

Bruce: In Paris I really love Le Trianon. The Troubadour is one of my favorite LA venues.

Marie: La Mano is Paris is a really fun place to dance and hear world music. I love the Fox Theater is Oakland is one of my favorite venues we’ve ever played.

Food and drink that you must have before and/or after a show?

Bruce & Marie: Jameson on the rocks.

What do you do to relax and unwind?

Bruce & Marie: Theme parks or desert hotel pools.