Please introduce yourself and/ or your project. Please give a brief relevant history.

I live in the French Pyrenees with my wife and two children aged 17 and 18, a perfectly ordinary life for a 54-year-old man. And apart from that, I started out in 1991 with one of the Pagan Black metal pionniers bands with strong animist overtones (SUS SCROFA) which later became the better-known band STILLE VOLK. Since 1997 we’ve released 8 albums on Holy records, Prophecy records. Then I play in two duos (LA BREICHE and EN OCCULZ). Finally I have solo projects (COUME OUARNEDE, LINGERING ECHOES (which released its first album in 2000 on the MILLE PLATEAUX records label under the name IHAN), collaborations (EGREGORE for example). At the moment, the project that’s really catching my attention is TIMEWIND, a project based on vintage synths, cosmic music in the spirit of TANGERINE DREAM, KLAUS SCHULZE, based around pyramidology, etc. And Since 2017 i run with my friend Lafforgue l’Homme Sauvage every two years.

What does the word ‘Animism’ mean to you? This can be as literal or abstract as you wish. Does it find life in your project or in your day to day movements?

So animism is one of the words I prefer to hear…:) since the 90s I think, because in this religious madness, it has seemed to me the most intelligent, serene, tolerant and peaceful refuge. It’s good for everyone. to “give things a soul”. When in doubt, I think about this definition, I look outside, it brings me back to basics.

Do you talk with spirits or deities? Do they answer back?

As far as I’m concerned, it’s my approach. what thrills me is having a poetic view of my surroundings..

Are your ancestors part of or inform your daily practice and / or creative endeavors? Two ideas some people engage with are “ancestors of well”, and “ancestors of path”. How do you interact with the ancestors that hold unresolved trauma and negative traits like racism or a history of physical abuse or maybe even an active colonizer? Or, do you only engage with “healthy” ancestors? How do we, and can we help heal our “unwell” ancestors? How do you interact with ancestors of path (for example music, academia, spiritual path, activism) creating a unique path for yourself without creative or cultural appropriation?

Apart from thinking of my grandparents, who lived as refugees and coped without begging for anything, I don’t have that approach.

If you could have a secret magickal power, or have one, what would it be? Or, what is it already? And finally, what would you wish to do with such a power?

I’d like to know how to fly.

What is the season of the year that resonates most deeply with you and why? Do these vibrations appear in your work?

Autumn. September. The most beautiful colours – it’s the season of the HOMME SAUVAGE festival and the Pyrenees are more beautiful than ever.

What do you dream of destroying?

I only believe in building.

What do you dream of creating?

I don’t have a plan.

What does the word “ritual” mean to you? Do you incorporate any rituals into your daily life, your practice or our performances?

Frankly, as a Westerner not much. And i confess that the negative use made of it in music has taken me completely away from it.

Do politics enter into, inform or speak through your creative workings? What are your thoughts on the creative process’s responsibility to, or freedom from politics?

I’m not at all interested in politics in art. It’s more efficient to go out and vote. I’m a moderate who likes objectivity and temperance.

What does the word “community” mean to you and how does it influence your process and practice?

I see that in the HOMME SAUVAGE festival. It’s natural, simple and familial.

Do politics intersect with Animism? Is there an inherent responsibility to the witch to engage with regional environmental activism?

As I said, music and my relationship with nature is a source of well-being. Politics is violence. I’m not interested in polluting my passions with that.

Any last departing offerings? Anything you would like to talk about that wasn’t covered?

I discovered a friend, a person with a good mentality. And it’s you, Rob!