Enfnts Terribles

The third time is always the charm. What makes you most proud about your new album Wild At Heart?

It’s the first time that I’m fully in charge of the production of an album. I was always the one who decided what I wanted to make on the previous two albums, but this time, it was different. I was behind the wheel the entire process, which made it even more personal. We (Simon Casier: Zimmerman and Balthazar) started writing the album in the lockdown due to the Covid pandemic, so it was just us two and our dog Joske. We wrote during the day and recorded everything at night. Very therapeutic, I must say. But the music helped us deal with the fact that there were no live shows, and it helped me get over the fact that I couldn’t perform my second album, Lonely Boy’s Paradise, live. But, hey, shit happens.

Your music is very cinematic. If you could choose an existing movie that works best with the new album, which one would it be and why?

An old Hollywood movie with Marilyn Monroe. I love the grandeur of cinema back in the day. Especially the film scores: when I hear those old violin strings from the 1940s and ’50s, my heart skips a beat. It moves me every time. If I had to choose one, I would say Gentlemen Prefer Blondes from 1953. I love the storyline and the costumes of that one. They really suit the vibe of Wild At Heart.

Another interesting aspect of the album is the use of synths. What fascinates you about this instrument?

It was mainly the shape and form of these old synths that really interested me at first; I love the colors and the design they have. Synths nowadays look really ugly and digital. We were able to rent a couple of old organic synths, like a Roland Juno-6 and an ARP Odyssey, and we just started jamming. We didn’t really know what we were going to create. At a certain point, we were happy with the result, and we started creating string ideas around it. Wiets Meys created the final string arrangements, and after they were recorded with a 14-piece orchestra, it all fell into place. Synths—and strings, for that matter—have the rare ability to sound sad and hopeful, at the same time. They have something unique and charismatic. I love the combination of both of them.

For the music video of “A Little Bit”, you’re playing two different characters. What’s the story of this video?

For all my videos, I worked with Brussels-based agency Enfants Terribles Films, which is funny ’cause, in the beginning, I thought it was part of the ENFNTS TERRIBLES  magazine (editor’s note: it’s not). Ila Pittaluga is the founder of the agency, and we have a strong connection. She comes up with the coolest ideas, and she knows exactly how to translate my music into images. The idea behind the video for “A Little Bit” was this: I’m a space detective, and I’m trapped in jail. An inspector is interrogating me about something I did wrong, but indeed after a while, you can see that both parts are played by me. I wanted to portray the two main roles because that’s what the song is all about: a love story told from two different points of view. Ila totally got that and created this beautiful video. I’m really happy with how it turned out.

Fashion is an important part of your artistry. How would you define your fashion style?

I don’t think I really have a particular fashion style per se. I just wear what I like. I see my performances and my music as a way of expressing myself. I love working together with stylists, and I love the story that a garment can tell. The coat I am wearing on the cover of the album artwork, for instance, is from Belgian designer Glenn Martens from Y/Project. I love the trompe l’oeil effect and the little humoristic nod it gives. Fashion doesn’t have to be too serious for me. My favorite brands are Y/Project, Maison Margiela, and French accessories brand D’heygere. They are all doing very cool things in their own unique way and always with a funny twist to it.

Your album release show is approaching. What can people expect from this show?

I am really happy with the show we created, and I hope people will love it. You can expect a fresh pop show with a lot of new songs but also some reworks of older songs. And, of course, some great fashion moments!

What can we wish you for the future?

World domination with my music! (winks)

Noémie’s new album ‘Wild At Heart’ is available everywhere. Her release show is on December 13th at De Roma in Antwerpen. 

Photography by Oriane Verstraeten
Creative direction and production by ENFNTS TERRIBLES Studio, Dries Vriesacker
Styling by Vincent Van Laeken
Makeup and hair by Sanne Schoofs

Location: METAL Antwerp