Singer, songwriter, and former International Reporter are all words that can be used to describe Julien Drolon, but they merely scratch the surface. Julien Drolon (born in Nantes, France on the 5th of February 1982) is on a mission to promote peace thru his love for music. He first arrived in the Philippines last 2007 and came back at the end of 2009 and decided to start his musical career.
This French singer with a Pinoy heart describe his music style as feel good music which combines pop, reggae, funk, and rock. He considers Jason Mraz, Bob Marley, Jamiroquai, Donovan Frankenreiter, Patrice and Asa as his musical influences. Julien Drolon performs on stage with his equally-talented Filipino band composed of Girlie Capulso (back up vocals), Enzo Queyquep (lead guitar), Joseph Duenas (bass), Leal Nanca (keyboard) and Joven Palencia (Drums).
Julien Drolon already played in Hong Kong and mainland China, at an Asian music conference, Music Matters Festival, which was held in Hong Kong last May 26-29, 2010. He also performed for the opening of the China Music Industry Park in Shanghai last July, 2010.
Addressing the issue of why he started his career in the Philippines, he responded, “It’s a place that is blessed with amazing musicians that want to collaborate on the making of my album and Filipinos are music lovers”. For his first album, Drolon is working with producers Jack Rufo and Angee Rozul.
Orange Magazine TV had a chance to sit down with Julien Drolon and discuss his plans of sending good vibrations through music.
First of all, who is Julien Drolon?
I am an artist in service of positive of values that I want to share with my audience. I believe in the power of music and in empowering people to realize their dreams and shine in their life.
Okay. So, why did you choose reggae as your type of music?
I got inspired by the life of Bob Marley who is a man that truly stayed faithful to his values and his vision. Until now, what he was saying is still very much up to date. I started to write songs listening to reggae music but then my music evolved to other genres such as pop or funky music. My first album though won’t be a full reggae album but a mix of different genres. I love music so much and I want to share this passion to the listener with different style of music, but, yes definitely, you will hear some reggae beats in my first album.
When did you started as a performer/musician and as a band?
I started my career as a singer/songwriter when I came back in the Philippines in 2009 where I focused on writing songs. And in 2010, I started to put some music on it with the musicians and friends that I met here in Manila.
Where do you usually perform?
I usually perform once a month in Casa Nami Surf Pub in Makati, we have our own production called French Kiss Production where we invite other bands to perform with our band. The next edition is on the 9th of April. You are welcome to join and have fun with us. We started the production in February and we always have a great time organizing the event. I also play in B Side, 70s Bistro and in April we will start our SM PHIL SO GOOD SUMMER TOUR. We will be playing in approximately 20 SM Malls in Metro Manila from April to July. The cities that we will visit are posted on our facebook page at www.facebook.com/jdrolon
Do you write your own music? How many songs have you written so far?
I write all my songs, most of them are in English. In the span of 2 years, I wrote around 30 songs and it has been very difficult for me to choose the ones that will be in my upcoming album. It is really heart-breaking to let some songs on the side but you have to make a choice and just take the best ones.
Let’s talk about your up-coming album. Tell us something about the behind the scenes of doing the album and when will it be release? How many tracks will be included?
I started working on the album last year and so far, it has been a great journey already. We are half way through the recording process and April will be the busiest recording month for us so I am expecting to spend a lot of time in the studio, no holidays for me this time. My two producers Jack Rufo and Angee Rozul are doing an amazing job. We are planning to release the album on the 12 of June this year, that is the tentative date that we gave to ourselves. It makes sense to me since freedom is one of the main theme of the album so there is no better date than the Independence Day to release this album here in the Philippines.
Have you signed up with a label or will it be independently release?
We have not signed up with any labels at the moment, we are still in the talking process but what I can guarantee is that the album will be distributed nationwide.
In your genre, who do you looked up to as an artist?
Right now I am rediscovering the works of Jamiroquai, he is one of the first artist I listened to back in the nineties and I have to say that I like what he has been doing recently. Over two decades, he managed to take funky music to the masses with consistency and style, impressive.
The other artist that influenced me a lot is probably Jason Mraz, I had the pleasure to perform in front of Jason last year in a bar at a music festival in Hong Kong. He was really supportive and I am looking forward to meeting him again.
What do Julien has or does Julien has the edge in penetrating the local scene considering that you are a foreigner?
I think what is interesting in our band is that it is a Filipino/French collaboration, I wrote the songs and found the melodies and my band created the music, I guess we are a pretty a unique band for that reason. I really feel blessed that I can collaborate with them in this album. As you know Filipinos are famous in Asia for being great musicians.
You mentioned before that there will be a collaboration with other local artist, can you give us some updates about it?
Regarding collaboration with other artists we are still in the talking process but I cannot reveal yet who will be featured in my album.
How did you and the rest of your band first met? And how did you formed the band?
I created the band last year. I put an announce on a website and Jojo my bassist contacted me. I met Enzo my guitarist at RJ Store, after a few months of playing together, he quitted his job to dedicate his time to our music. The rest of the bands are friends that we met randomly in the music industry, it is a small world you know.
How is it like living in the Philippines and working with Filipinos?
Living in the Philippines is so good, really, I don’t regret my choice to establish myself here. People are so warm and nice, always a smile on their faces, I am lucky to live in the Philippines and I tell it to myself everyday, well except when I am caught in a huge traffic jam along EDSA maybe (smile).
Working with Filipinos without speaking tagalog is hard at the beginning because when they talk to each other I have to guess what they are saying but all in all it is a real pleasure.
Orange Magazine TV is your first magazine cover, right? How is your experience so far? What are you hoping for after this exposure?
Yes, it is my first cover. We had a good time shooting the pictures and I hope that this exposure will give us the opportunity to share our first single “Phil So Good” to all the readers of Orange Magazine Tv. For the whole month of April, they can download the song for free at the Orange Magazine TV’s website. This first single is a summer song about the Philippines, it summarizes what I experienced here in the Philippines and how much I love this country. My keyboardist Leal Nanca is also featured in this song with a cool rap part in taglish (Filipino-English). My only wish is that the readers of Orange Magazine TV and our fans on facebook and myspace can listen and enjoy this song this summer wherever they go.
Why did you choose to release your album in the Philippines?
I believe that nobody is prophet in his own country, I felt I would find the inspiration and the will to make this album somewhere far away from my homeland France. I really want to spread my music in Asia and I think being in the Philippines give me a huge opportunity to share my messages to a very wide audience.
Alright! Any parting words? Also invite everyone to watch your gigs and to watch out for your up-coming album.
We want to create a strong community with our fans where we can all share our common values and dreams. Music is the vehicle and I want to invite everybody on this journey with us. Music can also help people in needs, this Friday 1st of April, we will JAM for JAPAN with many other artists at Ayala Museum in Makati. This is the most important gig of the year for me, together we can make a difference, so I encourage everybody to come and support this initiative, we are all connected. Peace.
Julien Drolon’s debut album entitled “JULIEN DROLON… PHIL SO GOOD” is due for mainstream release in May 2011, followed by a series of tour in the Philippines. Check out more updates on Julien Drolon at www.facebook.com/jdrolon, www.myspace.com/juliendrolon and www.twitter.com/juliendrolon12
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Words: Enzo Luna of juanmanilaexpress
Photographers: Joser Dumbrique and Willie Samson
Assistant Photographer: Jeff Rebustillo
Hair and Make-Up: Cher Nogara and Beng Nogara of BND Hair Gallery by Bing Nogara-Dio
Special thanks to AVIDA Towers Alabang, Mossimo, FrancisM Clothing Co. (FMCC), BLUED clothing and Uni Silver Time, Chris Cahilig Consultancy, theROOM by Ian Felix Alquiros and GeiserMaclang.
