SEBASTIEN "BARGIO" BOURNIER

-Nice to meet you, Seb. Please use three words to introduce yourself.
-Seb: Nice to meet you too (again). Three words. Not about me I suppose, but about the “musical me”. Well, in that case it would be “songwriter” (I HATE the “auteur / compositeur” thing that is used in French. I’m just some random guy who writes songs). “Drummer” because it’s my favorite instrument, it’s the first one and the one I enjoy the most. And then “Singer” because, well, I sing on my records even though I hate that.

-What brought you to become an active musician?
-Seb: Girls! And Phil Collins. I learned to play the drums because of him. But that’s not “the” instrument to impress girls easily. That’s why I promised myself to learn the guitar on the first occasion. “Unfortunately” I met my wife to be about year *before* I had the first chance to learn the guitar. So playing the guitar never brought me any luck with the ladies. But I’m fine with this. 

-Sousbock just released its 4th album. What’s new compared to older albums?
-Seb: Well almost everything because it’s a concept album. No! Don’t run away. It’s not some boring old progressive rock double album concept. After three albums that I almost wrote alone, I felt that it was time for something new. So I had the idea to send lyrics to friends. And they all agreed to write the music for them. So the concept is “one song, one music writer”. And it’s a pretty damn good album I believe. A hard one to make (there is always a problem child!!!) but in the end I’m really proud of it. And I can say that without problem because I only write one piece of music for it (which has no lyrics, so it’s the first “real” Sousbock Instrumental). And of course, he is not that new, because he was there for the previous one, there is Nico who is I believe, the most important musical encounter that I ever made. Extra Bonus for Awaken’s fans: Mister Snowcat himself agreed to contribute one song!!!!

-Among your work, what is the piece that you think represents you the most, and why?
-Seb: A tough one, but I guess that everyone answer this the same way. Well, three songs come to mind. Obviously the first one that “is” the spirit of Sousbock : “Amnesia”. Then comes “Veilleur des ombres” which is a 22 minutes song that contains all the emotions that I love. From the pop-rock of “2h03? to the depressive, more artistic and instrumental part of “Une ombre”. Then there is this song, from the not yet released fifth album: “Le vide et l’imparfait”. It combines both sides (hello Phil) of Sousbock : the pop-rock and the depressive rock. It will also be released on the EOAIAO compilation Evidence(s). That’s why it’s hard to name one song, because there is “Both sides of the Sousbock”. Some light, pop, and joyful songs and some darker, heavier, more depressive ones…

-Any song you’re ashamed of, and why?
-Seb: Not really. In the early days, I tried some funny songs. But that’s not really me. That’s not what Sousbock is about. I read again the lyrics from one of my first song (that I’m saving for the sixth album) “Et puis”. And I felt that the lyrics were quite naïve. But I’m not ashamed of them. I was learning to write. I was learning to express my feelings.

-If you had a magic wand, in what band would you play right now?
-Seb: I would say Genesis of course. But I don’t have the musical skill required to play with them. I’d love to play with Jean-Jacques Goldman, but is not touring anymore… So Marillion I guess… But that almost already happened!

-What would you say to Awa-news readers who might not know you, to convince them to listen to your albums?
-Seb: Well, if you’re looking for nice French music (well, I sing in French, sorry everyone, but it’s Mister Snowcat himself that convinced me to NEVER record my songs in English again), you might want to try Sousbock. That’s pop-rock. Not clever, not new, not a revolution, but genuine music, and as I said earlier, there is different kind of songs. So I would be surprised if you don’t find one that you don’t like!! (and now I hope that everyone will listen to Sousbock, trying to prove me wrong, and that some among will be hooked !)
 
-You played a gig with Pete Trevawas of Marillion. How did it happen?
-Seb: He came for the Marillion French Fan Club’s Garden Party. He asked for a guitar. So I brought two guitars, one piano, mics etc… When he saw all of this he asked me to play with him. So we chose the setlist together (Marillion songs, although he proposed me to play some of my own songs, but I declined), he let me sing on many songs, and he is a truly wonderful amazing guy. I will never thank him enough for this!

-Last but not least, would you openly admit that you are an Awaken fan?
-Seb: Of course I will! Furthermore, I’m the drummer for the band for many years now (I still have the email from Mister Snowcat when he asked me to become the drummer!!) even though I only played on two songs and sang on one. I made a cover of my favorite Awaken song, but I’m not that proud of it because I made it in only one hour. I really hope that someday I will have the time to record it again in a proper way.

(interview from Awa-news, 2009 or 2010)