What started as a music project created by Ludovic Coutinho, a french artist living on Reunion Island has now caught the eyes of several music fans across the world. Eleandre is a solo musical project dedicated to Ludovic’s daughters : Eleanore & Cassandre.
The inspiration is clearly has a base in the esoteric and inspired by gnostic precepts, symbolism and psychoanalysis. Focused on issues related to self-knowledge and the relationship between men and women in a romantic spirit, Eleandre’s songs are intended to allow for action or reflection among its listeners. Anchored in the industrial metal universe with bands such as Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails, Rammstein or Korn, Eleandre’s sounds are also influenced by 90’s pop music, Depeche Mode’s new wave or Puscifer’s industrial and experimental rock. Listening to Eleandre’s singles ‘Cold comedia’ and ‘Just to Cut your wings’ you find that there is certainly a mix of his French heritage and a lot of throwback to heavy metal and rock music from both US and UK origin. It is a melting pot of what you need to get any real music fan excited. We decided to catch up with Eleandre to find out the man behind the music..
What inspired you to get into music?
I am mainly inspired by art. I had characters who made me grow in punk and rock influences such as my father and my uncle. My mum is a fan of Scorpions. Then studying plastic arts, I gradually immersed myself into techno and repetitive rhythms in connection with the woes of youth. But as an agoraphobic I could not find myself in the clubs and the various gatherings so I chose to create my own tracks. It was very reminiscent of my youth. Then I found myself in a very difficult romantic situation which led me to lock myself up in an apartment in Lyon in France where I began to compose my first real instrumental pieces. I believe that it was, despite psychological distress, a fascinating period of return to oneself. It was there that I discovered the world of Trent Reznor and that I engulfed his passion for solo musical creation. Under the pseudonym Ake Project I released several albums on Bandcamp and Deezer which allowed me to experiment with collaborations of all kinds, notably with visual artists and singers. All of this was done online. I almost never went out and have never seen these artists. A few years after, there was a break up that led to divorce. It was this stop, after several years of living together with my ex wife, that made me realize that I had to do everything myself. This is where Eleandre comes from where I produce everything : voices, guitars, synths, drum tracks and effects.
How would you describe your music?
My music is mainly focused on rock, heavy and metal rhythms tinged for the most part with cold sounds and influences linked to my love of the genre of industrial music. My texts try in a simplified way to reach an audience plagued by internal setbacks, with their own emotional or even psychological difficulties. I don’t try to imitate my idols but I owe them a lot, so I am often told that my music looks like Manson or NIN.
What would you say is your recording and song writing style?
I compose my instrumental first from a simple guitar then the melody arrives either by the text or voice, which I want very low.
Where would you like to see your music career in 5 years time?
I think it’s important to focus on complete works like concept albums where we can tell stories. This is why I plan after the release of my firsts singles to start to compose a concept album. Maybe 3 albums in 5 years? I would like to keep my music going overtime for my 2 daughters
Where can music fans listen your music?
On all streaming platforms & youtube.
