We recently sat down with Antonin Lemiere, known professionally as Airmow, to discuss his much-anticipated EP “Broken Memories.” A Paris-based artist and music producer, Airmow infuses his tracks with bold, provocative, mysterious, and ominous tones, crafting a soundscape that is both immersive and expansive.
Airmow’s unique sound is influenced by a diverse array of sources, from fashion and architecture to cinema, which all contribute to his distinctive visual and aural style. His latest project, “DYSTOPIE,” along with recent singles such as “CELESTE,” “FADE AWAY,” and “CARMEN,” mark a maturation in his music and a more refined direction, solidifying his place in the electronic music landscape.
On the commercial side, Airmow’s innovative music is in high demand within the luxury sector, leading to collaborations with renowned brands like PRADA, LANCÔME, and HUBLOT.
KALTBLUT: You mentioned that the concept of “Broken Memories” is inspired by a person with amnesia. How did this metaphor influence the creative direction and emotional depth of the project?
The EP “Broken Memories” is the result of a particularly intense period in my life. The events that unfolded during that time naturally influenced the artistic direction of this project, both musically and visually. These tracks are first and foremost a reflection of that period before even embodying the metaphor of “Broken Memories”.
Initially, I began creating the first tracks without having a very specific concept in mind. I then explored various sounds, allowing myself to be guided by my mood and inspirations of the moment. This exploratory phase allowed me to gain clarity on the vision for this project and, above all, to remain authentic in my approach.
Although different, upon reflection, I realized that the first tracks that I created were marked by “dreamlike” and “enigmatic” sounds.
The idea of the concept of “Broken Memories” came later, as I revisited my initial pieces. This metaphor naturally imposed itself on me as a way to structure and unify the project.
Each track then becomes a “memory” representing a different emotion or experience, while contributing to this overall narrative.
I wanted to offer a varied emotional palette through this EP, ranging from hatred to acceptance, through sadness, love, and peace. Each track explores a different facet of this introspective journey, whether it’s tracks meant for the dance floor or for contemplation.
The analogy with an amnesiac person enriched this concept, offering a narrative structure to the whole. Each track thus becomes a step in the rediscovery journey of this person.
Once I had a clearer vision of the artistic direction of the project, I was able to finalize the tracks by reworking them. Thus, it was not only the idea of “broken memories” that led me to create all my pieces but also the natural creation process of my pieces that led me to find this theme.
This creative process was facilitated by my collaboration with various visual artists, who contributed to bringing my artistic vision to life. Together, we ensured that each element, whether musical or visual, contributed to this immersion in the universe of “Broken Memories.”
KALTBLUT: Your music has been described as a fusion of modern production techniques and timeless melodies. How do you balance these elements in order to create a cohesive and impactful sound?
When I started music production, I was heavily influenced by trendy electronic music styles like “future bass”, “future house” or “trap” which initially helped me improve my production techniques.
However, over time, I realized that these musical trends, while popular during certain periods, could quickly become outdated and passé.
Today, I strive to create more personal tracks, avoiding blindly following current trends.
Nevertheless, I remain attentive to new production techniques by working with other artists and brands, which allows me to continue progressing and learning.
In my compositions, I blend the production techniques I’ve learned with new creative sounds. To achieve this, I often conduct sound design sessions to craft a unique sonic palette. Then, I carefully select these sounds to incorporate them into my compositions, aiming to strike a balance between technical and creative aspects.
In summary, I view music production as an ongoing process of learning and experimentation, where I aim to select the best sonic ingredients to create cohesive and impactful compositions, while staying true to my personal style. (Just like a chef selects the finest ingredients for their dish).
KALTBLUT: Your compositions have caught the attention of luxury brands such as PRADA, LANCÔME, and HUBLOT. How do you approach collaborations with these esteemed brands and incorporate their values into your music?
When collaborating with luxury brands such as PRADA, LANCÔME, and HUBLOT, several scenarios arise. For instance, a brand may utilize a pre-existing track of mine (synchronization), or I may compose bespoke music to accompany a specific video montage or film.
In most cases, when working with these brands, I craft customized tracks to complement their visuals. I enjoy exploring dreamy, enigmatic, and modern sounds, highly sought after in the luxury industry.
Composing for visual media presents unique challenges compared to standalone track creation. It requires careful consideration of imagery and often adheres to strict time constraints, such as 30-second formats. This demands a different approach but fosters creativity and pushes me beyond my comfort zone, leading to the discovery of new sonic textures that I later incorporate into my personal music.
Tight deadlines are common in these projects, necessitating swift responses that enhance my efficiency and encourage innovative thinking. Working on such projects has been instrumental in my growth as a musician.
Ultimately, I view my music as having a symbiotic relationship with visual storytelling, and synchronization plays a crucial role in my projects. I am supported by a team of talented sync rep and I look forward to securing exciting synchronization opportunities for my music and especially for “Broken Memories EP”
I would also perfectly see “ALL OVER” for a Netflix series or the single “BROKEN MEMORIES” for a technologic commercial .
KALTBLUT: Tracks like “Neige”, “Trust Nobody”, and “All Over” from “Broken Memories” showcase a blend of buried memories and present realities. Can you take us through your creative process in bringing these complex themes to life through music?
“NEIGE”, which means “SNOW” in English, initially started as a piano composition. It featured a dreamy, altered piano sound. I added effects to make the piano sound real, incorporating the sounds of pianists and creaking noises. These additions gave the piano an atmospheric quality, reminiscent of falling snow. The title “NEIGE” was chosen because each piano note descends gently like snowflakes falling softly.
Snow is a metaphor for memories buried over time, reflected in the song’s contemplative atmosphere. Reiyo’s vocals singing “Do You Remember” in the final section further emphasize the theme of fading memories.
“Trust Nobody” explores the themes of trust and betrayal, evoking powerful emotions. The creative process for this track differed as I received The Venice’s vocals before composing the music. The lyrics resonated with the EP’s theme, inspiring me to create a strong, intense instrumentation to convey the feeling of betrayal. Sharp percussion and saturated basslines in the drop intensify the sense of rage and betrayal portrayed in the song.
“All Over” took shape differently as I began with a synth melody. I collaborated with Reiyo The Giant, who provided vocal ideas based on the chords and melodies I created. The song delves into the end of a relationship, balancing melancholy with hope for the future. The chorus features shimmering, dreamy synths, creating an ethereal atmosphere. Organic percussion sounds were introduced to enhance the grandiose feel of the song, complementing Reiyo’s powerful vocals.
In conclusion, these three tracks explore diverse themes and emotions, each contributing to the cohesive narrative of “Broken Memories” while offering unique perspectives and sonic landscapes.
KALTBLUT: What do you hope listeners will take away from “Broken Memories” on both a personal and emotional level?
My goal with my music is to transport listeners to different sonic universes, offering them unusual sounds that invite them to travel or daydream.
I’m not necessarily aiming for my audience to fully grasp the meaning of each track or understand the reflection on “Broken Memories. I simply want to immerse them in another world, where emotions naturally emerge through the music, without the need for explicit explanation. For me, the success of a musical project lies in the ability to share emotions, even if they are interpreted differently by each listener. For example, “ALL OVER” can be perceived as sad for some and joyful for others, and this diversity of interpretations is what makes music captivating and personal.
KALTBLUT: Looking ahead, what can we expect from Airmow in terms of future projects and artistic evolution based on the experiences and growth reflected in “Broken Memories”?
I composed the tracks “BROKEN MEMORIES” and “ALL OVER” at the end of the process and I like the organic drums that I have on this one.
I will play more with this in the future .
Currently, I’m already preparing a second EP that will further explore this direction tho.
Additionally, besides the musical aspect, I’m focusing on developing the visual and live performance aspects of the project. I’ve started working on a live set incorporating real synthesizers, drums, and other equipment for live performances.
Expect to see a music video coming soon as well!
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@airmowmusic
Photos by @nefersaki
Broken Memories will be released on 27th September
