Following a pair of well reviewed releases, in 2017’s EP Space Is The Key and 2018’s LP La Planète Inexplorée, Slift turned heads in the Heavy Psych Rock with 2020’s double LP Ummon. The album retains the best pieces of their first releases but soars to new heights by allowing the compositions to breath and fully expand. While the Toulouse, France, trio does not reinvent the playbook for Psychedelic, Ethereal Heavy Rock, they borrow just enough pages from Kraut Rock and Jazz to keep things fresh and interesting. Of course, this is a sound that screams live performance but until then, enjoy the next best thing, with their incredible new video for the songs Citadel On A Satellite and Hyperion.
SLIFT’s New album Ummon is out on Vicious Circle Records (EU/USA) & Stolen Body Records (UK).
Name five songs that you consider “perfect songs” and explain why or what they mean to you.
1983… (a merman i should turn to be) – THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE
I just love everything about this, it’s probably my favorite piece of music ever.
God only knows – BEACH BOYS
The chords progression is so cool.
Shut the Door – FUGAZI
This song had a big influence on our band. I remember when we started to listen to Fugazi, for us it was like a new way to play music. And the bass is insane on this one.
La Düsseldorf – DÜSSELDORF
The whole album is a masterpiece.
Jun Fukamachi – THE SEA OF DIRAC
What a finale!
Which music genre do you listen to the most? List your five favorite albums in that genre.
No genre in particular.
PSYCHIC PARAMOUNT – II
JUN FUKAMACHI – Quark
VOIVOD – Killing Technology
IAN CARR’S NUCLEUS – Roots
CONVERGE – Axe To Fall
ALICE COLTRANE & PHAROAH SANDERS – Ptah The El Daoud
Your five favorite rappers of all time?
THE COUP
THE ROOTS
DEATH GRIPS
EMINEM
SLEAFORD MODS
What’s the album you’ve listened to the most in your life? Do you still listen to it?
Electric Ladyland (HENDRIX), I’m still listening to it!
Do you have an absolute all time favorite band or musical artist? What makes them so special to you?
Hendrix, he was a god among humans.
What are your ten favourite albums of all time (all genres)?
I have so many favorites, it depends on the period… but here’s a short list of my actual favorites:
NEUROSIS – Times Of Grace
CAN – Future Days And Past Nights (Bootleg)
KING CRIMSON – Red
MELVINS – Lysol
FINAL FANTASY X – Original soundtrack
APHRODITE’S CHILD – 666
CONVERGE – Axe To Fall
ORANSSI PAZUZU – Mestarin Kynsi
MILES DAVIS – On The Corner
BIRDS IN ROW – You, Me And The Violence
Do you remember the first time music had an impact on you?
When my father used to play The BEATLES’ Red album, and also some Blues. I was about ten years old I think…
What were you listening to in elementary school? Then in high school? (Your favorite bands/records back then?) How much of that music is still a part of your playlists today? How have your musical tastes evolved since?
In high school, with my friends we listened to Punk Rock bands like RANCID, GREEN DAY, then FUGAZI, REFUSED and many others. And also classics like HENDRIX and THE DOORS.
What beloved music do you share with your parents? Any specific memories?
Each year we use to go to Jazz in Marciac (it’s a Jazz festival as its name suggests). Our grandparents also came, it was very cool to listen to music all together.
What are some of the most memorable shows you’ve ever seen? What makes them stand out?
APPALOOSA, a band from Italy. I saw them in a small venue in Toulouse. It was totally mind blowing, epic drummer and a big wall of bass sound. I saw a lot of shows during the past 3 years, and I still remember clearly this one.
Is there any band that you’ve always wanted to see live but never had the chance to catch them? Any classic show that you wish you could have experienced?
I’m a fanboy but, Hendrix for sure.
What is the most impressive band you’ve toured with? The one that you just had to watch every night? Did you learn anything from them/by watching them?
KORTO. And yes we learn a lot from them. They are great all the way and we’re proud cause they’re also really good friends. I love all of their releases, they groove hard, they improve their sound and do their own stuff without following the hype or anything. To me, they are the best kept secret in France.
What are some of your all-time favorite musician biopics?
Walk The Line, with Joaquin Phoenix (about Johnny Cash).
Is there any classic / universally acclaimed artist that you missed out on when they first came out and discovered way later? Any artist that you didn’t like at first and learned to appreciate over time?
RUSH
What band or artist do you believe has achieved the most flawless sequence of 3 records in a row?
Again a fanboy move for me, Hendrix with Are You Experienced?, Axis: Bold As Love and Electric Ladyland.
Can you think of a band or artist that put out only one fantastic release (album, EP or demo) and then disbanded? One that you really wish would have kept going?
FIELDS, a UK Prog band from the 70’s. They released one eponymous LP in 1971. They could have grown as big as Led Zep !
When shows are being played again, who do you want to see live first?
ORANSSI PAZUZU tease me a lot.
Is there a band that you’ve discovered live recently that blew you away?
THE PSYCHOTIC MONKS, they’re really a class act to experience live.
What are you listening to right now, while answering these questions?
UNSANE – Sterilize
Final thoughts? Is there anything (new album, tour) you would like to promote?
We released our album Ummon last year, and we’re announcing new tour dates soon! I hope with all my heart that they will be maintained. Also, we are currently working on our next album. Thank you!
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