A chat with Phoenix’s Deck D’ Arcy
out as a garage band back in France, the now Grammy-winning band Phoenix released their new album, “Ti Amo”, in June under Warner Music Philippines. The band--comprised of Thomas Mars (vocals), Laurent Brancowitz (guitar), Christian Mazzalai (guitar), and Deck D’Arcy (bass)-detailed creating the album to
who described it as “the band’s most unabashedly romantic record yet.” Ti Amo’s first single is a brilliant, shimmering explosion called “J-Boy.”
Ti Amo is Phoenix’s first album four years after the critically lauded “Bankrupt!” produced by the band and recorded at La Gaîté Lyrique in Paris with the help of longtime collaborator Pierrick Devin. Ti Amo is-in the band’s own words--an album about simple but pure emotions: love, desire, lust and innocence. It is also a record that reflect their European and Latin roots.
Phoenix has also confirmed its upcoming world tour, which includes the Philippines.
Music Geek had a chat with Phoenix bassist Deck D’Arcy via phone from “the middle of rainy England.”
Why did it take more than three years for your band to release an album?
That period was catch up time for the three of us. Making a new record turned out very slow. It was a very slow process. We know we needed time to make a brand new album. It’s just the way with the other songs. I wished it would very different then, you know.
The New York Times and iTunes reviews describe your album as your most romantic yet—do you agree with that?
Well I guess, if they say that, it is true. I could actually say we’ve always been in this dimension of music that exactly that talks. The things we try to do when it came out, we try to control that. It’s kind of natural. Probably the reaction with the previous albums- Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix and Bankrupt with that direction.
Why Ti Amo as the title of your album and single?
We wanted to call Bankrupt! “Je T’aime.” It means “I love you” in French. The music (then) did not go with that title. So, for this album we called it “Ti Amo” because the music here is much better so it’s very natural that we calll it as such. We love the Italian language and heritage and speaking in Italian. It’s like the Italian background and we just embraced it.
Do you still expect Ti Amo to be as big as ‘Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix?’
You know we never expected anything. Just for the album to be appreciated. We never expected “Wolfgang’s” success. Nobody wanted to sign the album at first and we never had any successful album like that. We learned the good and bad, and now this is something new--it’s a real Phoenix album. But it seems to be okay. I would like to say it was just like the first. We do everything at the same time. We go on the ideas then record everything. We worked in the studio and put our chops there for our music. There’s a lot of complex stuff and exploring for this album, that’s why it took a long time.
How excited are you to perform for your fans in Manila?
We are very excited and expect it to be big. And the crowds have been supportive. We hope it’s going to be a good one. We had such great memories and people have been very welcoming. It will be very special.
What can fans expect from your set?
It will change the way we perform. Usually, we constantly try to change the show. And we’ll do something we haven’t done before. It’s going to be an experience and something unique. And lots of good songs as well. Going back to the roots and new songs as well.
Any message to your fans here?
“IT might sound strange or offensive to others but when someone comes up to me and says, ‘Hey, you’re Martin Nivera! My grandmother loved your songs till the day she died,’ it actually makes me feel good.”
So went the trademark non-stop chatter of Concert King Martin Nivera, whose royal OPM title was given by the late showbiz columnist Bob Castillo of People’s Journal. The same writer also baptized him with the monicker “Big Mouth” for obvious reasons.
Ever the funnyman, Martin naturally intended to draw laughs from the cozy luncheon of media friends at Ka Tunying’s Cafe in Timog, Quezon City, but at a time in which he’s become quite introspective in life, he also used the amusing story to make a point.
“Something like that makes me feel good because I just celebrated my 35th year in showbiz, and it matters to me to know that I’ve made a difference in people’s lives. Even that old lady’s,” he quipped again.
He then pointed to a huge poster behind him with the words “Big Mouth, Big Heart, Big Night” splashed beside his picture, and connected, “And that’s why I see myself doing more of this.”
“This” is Martin’s upcoming dinner-concert for a cause on August 19 at the Metrotent Convention Center in Pasig City.
Mounted by news personality Anthony “Tunying” Taberna and show will mark the 11th anniversary of their successful events company, Outbox Media Powerhouse Corporation, while raising funds for the Katutubong Dumagat community of Sitio Apia, Baranggay Calawis in Antipolo City.
“Rossel personally goes to the baranggay for immersion and will also bring the funds raised from the concert to the community herself,” Martin shared with admiration. “Again, this is why I’m grateful that she and Anthony chose me to do the show.”
According to the Concert King, “giving back is more rewarding than earning” for him after 35 years as a recording artist; a performer who’s held concerts around the world; a talkshow host ( remember “MAD” or “Martin After not so very memorable movies.
“My role was either a balikbayan or an alien,” Martin poked fun at
Looking forward, the singer said he is bent on doing projects with more substance, whether in - ing ways to get the Filipino artist international recognition.
In both goals, he will continue to make use of his ‘big mouth’ and sing.
“People ask me why I haven’t signed on as ambassador of this or that charity like others have done. But for me, doing that will limit what I can do for a single group,” he explained. “Also, if you’re being charitable, you shouldn’t be talking about it, otherwise it would just be about feeding myself [in terms of fame or celebrity]. That’s why I don’t have my own foundation. I’d rather do projects like this and sing to help raise funds for different groups and different causes.”
As for promoting the Filipino artist, Martin—who many know has tried to establish a career in Las Vegas for a direction come September.
“You know even with the Internet, most producers around the world won’t even bother to check out the kind of artists we have here in the Philippines. But come September, I’ll be producing a show in Hawaii where this New York producer will be attending, and my aim is to show them what we Filipino artists can do. I’m spending money for that rather than making money, but if it can open doors for us, it’ll make that difference.”
In closing, Martin promised that he will continue to have big intentions and big dreams for others.
“I’m glad that I am still here, and that I’m still being asked to do things. I may not be as in-demand as I used to be—and that’s the reality that we have to face—but I’m grateful that my phone still rings because that’s what gives me the opportunity to make a difference for the next 35 years.”
Big Mouth, Big Heart, Big Night on August 19 will also feature KZ Tandingan, Cacai Bautista, and the Tabernas’ two young daughters.
Martin and his promoters would like to thank Water Front Hotels and Casinos, Chinese General Hospital, Foton Motors Philippines, and Sta. Elena Construction and Development Corporation, among other major sponsors for making the show possible.