Music Interview: Poney Poney

Left to Right: Sam, Flo, and Antoine

While piddling around on lastfm.com, I ran across the band The Teenagers. I checked them out on MySpace and found a band on their friends list. That band was Poney Poney.

I Googled, I Yahoo-ed, I tried finding more of their music here in the U.S., but had difficulty doing so. MySpace was my only link to this Paris-based trio. So I decided to send them a message to tell them that I liked their music and that they should try getting it over here. What followed was a friendly e-mail exchange with Antoine which eventually resulted in an interview and an mp3 to share with Mars Poetica readers.


Andrew K (Mars Poetica/MP): So, what is the story behind the band forming?

Antoine: It started as a solo project some time ago, then I wanted to push it forward, so I asked Sam to play drums. After only one rehearsal, I knew it was great. A friend named Flo and I were also playing music on the side with a friend under the name Bel Air, so I asked him to play bass. Now Sam and Flo are best friends.

MP: Not everyone has had the opportunity to attend your live shows. What do you think makes your performances different than all the other bands out there today?

Antoine: The electronic drum kit. Oh, and of course our Russian costumes and Flo's decapitation of vampire bats.

MP: Are you serious about the Russian costumes and the bats?

Antoine: Of course not.

MP: Do you want to be heard in America? If so, how do you see your music fitting into the American music scene?

Antoine: Of course. We'd love it. Delaware touring, NY clubs, drinking Coca Cola, etc.

We may fit in a Europe-curious, college scene. And U.S. clubs were the first to ask us for some booking on MySpace, but they won't spend enough money right now for us to come from Paris.

MP: What music did you guys listen to as kids? Do you think that music influences your current sound?

Antoine: Beatles and Michael Jackson trauma. Marty Mc Fly playing "Johnny B Goode." You should listen to it.

Sam: The best and worst 80's American music put altogether. “Starship” songs still make me cry.

Flo: Beastie Boys turned me on. They made me discover black music, rock, punk… Prince, too. I first got in touch with him in my sister's room. I saw "Dirty Mind" and thought: "Who is this guy posing in his underwear on an album cover?" I played the record and immediatly asked my mother to buy me the same underwear.

MP: After listening to "Junior," I noticed that the chorus and verses are arranged differently than most songs. How did you guys go about writing the song? Does one person write lyrics and another arrange the music? Or is it more of a collaboration?

Antoine: We start writing together, and I often take care of the lyrics afterwards (usually formed from notes and slogans I compile from the subway). But 'Yesterday' was written in my sleep: I woke up and played the melody on the piano. I swear.

Sam: What I really like about our songs is their structure. The way they start with two verses, then one chorus, some silly bridge and a final chorus. 3 minutes tops. Indie production (+ XDR justice mix) is a trademark as well I guess.

Flo: I like this formula: guitars + bass with a pick + electronic drums + a careful attention to arrangement, especially on "Junior.” This song leaves space for each instrument and the result is very harmonious.

MP: To wrap things up, what's one thing about the band you'd like Mars Poetica readers to remember you by?

Antoine: We're always considered gentlemen.

Sam: The first indie band playing rock with jazz and bossa nova chords.

Flo: We are a trio, we have good educations. We can sleep on straw if we need to. WE WANT PLAY IN AMERICA!

Listen to Poney Poney's "Junior"
Poney Poney - Junior (3.8 mb)