Set Feux Talks Debut Album, Recording And More

 Set Feux (a.k.a. Toronto based musician, Diana Planche) will release her debut self-titled album on 19th April 2024. We sat down with her to ask her about the new record and more: 

You will release your self-titled debut album on 19th April 2024. How did you want to approach the making of the album?

The album was a collaboration between myself, Barzin and Kevin Kralik. Most of the songs started off on piano. I’d begin working on a verse and chorus and share it with Barzin and Kevin and we’d build a song from it. We were all really excited about making this album, and we approached it quite openly, with a lot of room for growth.

Once the main structure of the song had been developed, Kevin and I would record a demo and we’d start experimenting with various guitar, sax and vocal ideas. Barzin would invite some incredible musicians to play and the song would expand to incorporate these new parts. I didn’t feel there was a need to rush the process, we just kept chipping away at each song till they were the best they could be. Creatively, I was really inspired by our collaboration and I think it ultimately made for a unique sounding record that we’re all very proud of.

Where did you record the album and who produced it?

Most of the songs were recorded at Kevin Kralik’s studio, Caterpillar Records in Toronto and Hamilton. Additional vocals were recorded at Revolution Recording in Toronto by engineer Dave Hermiston. The album was co-produced Barzin, Kevin and me.

Who plays on the album with you?

A whole array of wonderful musicians loaned their talents on this record. First and foremost Kevin Kralik (wearenotwhoweare, Mass Paves), who played guitar, recorded and co-produced the album.

Long time friends and former bandmates, Jason Loftman (The Paint Movement), Dave MacDougall and Wes McClintock
(The Wilderness of Manitoba). As well as the brilliant, Marito Marques (Anna Maria Jopek, Hilario Duran), Nick Zubeck (Sun Kil Moon), Thomas Hammerton (Cuff the Duke), Allison Au, Josh Cole, TJ Whitelaw, Ian DeSouza and Todd Pentney.

One of your tracks is Say It Again. What was the story/inspiration behind the track?

Almost all of my songs started off with vocables and nonsensical lyrics, followed by the instrumentation. The meaning of my songs aren’t initially clear to me, I usually start off writing the lyrics unconsciously, I just play around with words and melodies and sometimes they end up sticking. I almost never write lyrics before the melody, so it’s a bit like unraveling a mystery when I’m working out the lyrics.

With “Say it Again”, the chorus lyrics largely remained the same from its inception. As I worked to piece together the rest of the lyrics, I came to realize I was writing about the desire to find meaning in one’s life by reflecting on the past. I was going through some significant life changes at the time and was trying to make sense of it all. I kept returning to the parts of my childhood where I felt lonely and isolated and I remembered being comforted by a deep spiritual connection. I think the song speaks to that part of me that longs to return to it.

Who are some of your musical influences?

Musically, I’ve been influenced by so many different genres that it’s difficult to narrow it down to a few artists or bands. I have a huge appreciation for great artists like Billie Holiday, Dusty Springfield, Kate Bush, Stevie Nicks, Debbie Harry and Lauryn Hill. I find myself returning to their music again and again, partly because I’m in wonder of their vocal mastery. They all have such extraordinary emotive voices and I’m in awe of their stylistic choices and confidence to sing truthfully.

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a
novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

I’m a big Agatha Christie buff, I began voraciously reading many of her murder mysteries during the pandemic. I’d love to write the score to any of her books but if I had to pick one, I’d start with “Endless Night”. I like how the novel begins as a love story, then turns into what appears to be a supernatural tale. Like all good Christie novels, nothing’s as it appears to be, and the story ends with a surprise
twist. I think it would be really fun to create music with so many psychological twists and turns.

What is your earliest musical memory?

I had a wonderful Grade one teacher named Mrs. Bagley, who played the guitar and sang. We’d gather on the communal carpet in front of her rocking chair and she’d teach us all kinds of lovely songs. I don’t have many memories from that age, but this one stands out. I think music is so undervalued in our school system today. Music has the capacity to change one’s life, I know it had a profound
impact on me. I think it’s sad that music education isn’t more of a priority in public schools. No matter how many studies come out proving its importance in cognitive and emotional development, it’s unfortunately not given the same value as other subjects.

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

I love my Nord Electro and Taylor guitar. They’ve been with me for a long time,
they’re like old friends I can consistently count on. I’m also pretty attached to the
Boss VE – 20 Vocal Processor pedal. I found it helpful while writing this album,
especially the vocal doubling and reverb effects.

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

I was born and raised in a suburb of Toronto called Mississauga. My parents still live in the same house I grew up in, which is pretty special. When I was a kid, it was still a young suburb with a decent amount of farmland around. Today, it’s become one of the largest cities in Canada and I’m always surprised by how busy and developed it’s become when I return. I’d describe it as, Sprawling, Malls, Hazel McCallion (The longest serving mayor in Canadian history) and Streetsville (my favourite Mississauga neighbourhood).

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the album recording sessions?

One of the earliest memories I have from recording the album was during the first pandemic lockdown. My mother in law had come to live with us because of the worsening health conditions in her retirement home. She has Alzeimer’s disease, and the isolation would have been deadly for her, so we all crammed together in our small condo. In the evenings, after dinner, we’d play a game of Rummy and
then Barzin and I would continue working on the album.

It was during these times, she’d come to life and would start dancing and singing along with me. It
was really quite endearing, she had lost a lot of her memory, but her love of music (and rummy) had remained.

Do you have any plans for live shows in Europe/UK in 2024?

Barzin and I have talked about playing as a duo, and doing a little European tour
together, so hopefully we can make that happen. Stay tuned.

How do you look after your voice?

I trained classically in University and there was a strong emphasis on vocal
health. I think it was a good foundation for healthy vocal habits. If there’s one
habit I try to maintain, it is a short vocal warm up before singing. It doesn’t last
more than 10 minutes, but it helps to keep my cords happy.

What makes Set Feux happy and what makes you unhappy?

Happiness, while elusive, usually boils down to two things for me. I’m happiest when I’m being creative and when I’m in community. Creativity usually involves some reflection for me. I have a deep desire for a rich inner life which sometimes
leads to isolation and loneliness so I need to balance that desire for contemplation with collaboration. I’ve learned that I’m happiest when I’m in
community with others, when I can share, listen and learn.

I’ve been very lucky in my life to have found some wonderful people to create with. Creativity doesn’t exist in a vacuum, it comes from within us and around us. I think the happiest times have been when these two things were in harmony with one another. I also find great purpose in collaborating with others, I’m inspired by their creativity, it brings me a lot of joy.

I’m unhappy when I feel uninspired. If I’m stuck in a mundane routine that doesn’t allow for some variety or creativity. It’s not that I don’t like routine, I just don’t feel my best when I’m in the same place for too long without any growth. I think that’s what drives me to create, it’s a way to feel like my life has some sort of meaning or purpose.

Feature Image Photo Credit: Supplied By Cannonball PR 

Set Feux’s self-titled debut album is released on Friday 19th April 2024. 

Pre-order the album here: https://setfeux.bandcamp.com/album/set-feux