An Interview With Singer-Songwriter, FOXTROTT On Her Soon To-Be Released Debut Album, “A Taller Us”!

FOXTROTT aka Marie-Helene Delorme immediately shatters any expectations and preconceived notions with her r&b-inspired melodies and absolutely insane beats that sound like they’re from a hip, far-away planet.

Glimmering synths, prominent bass, and staggering production value characterize FOXTROTT’s music, as you can hear on her debut full-length “A Taller Us”, set to be released on November 6th. FOXTROTT started her musical career as a producer, lending her incredible talent to other people’s songs, but her attitude, unbridled quirkiness, and passion for creating truly new sounds quickly led her to exploring more original material, and thus A Taller Us was born.

Learn more about this talented musician in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time today! How’s your summer been going? Ready for the Fall season?

Great summer! Got a lot of work done, traveled a bunch, played shows… Excited for the fall of course because that means record being released 🙂 

Can you remember first deciding to be an artist? 

It is not necessarily something you “decide”, it kind of just catches up to you, if ever you try to ignore it. I’ve always been artistically inclined, writing, singing, playing different instruments. I studied in film and worked on film shoots for years recording sound and mixing, and at one point the urge to make my own records became more and more important. I realized that’s what I needed to do to feel like myself. 

How did you choose your name? What other names were you considering? Ultimately, why do you think you decided to go by FOXTROTT and not your own name?

Marie-Hélène L. Delorme can be hard to pronounce for the non-francophones out there! FOXTROTT is a word that has boldness, but a rhythm and elegance to it. It can become whatever you make it. I like that type of name.  

What was the inspiration for your latest single, “Shaky Hands”?

Shaky Hands is an expression of feeling stuck in a relationship that’s bad for you. When you try to make sense out of things but the communication is bad and you just want everything to explode. But you’re still at the point where you have a hard time letting go completely. 

How does it feel to finally be releasing your debut album, “A Taller Us” in November? 

It feels so amazing. It was such a long process to get this record out. I’ve been told that’s typical of a first record, but the business side of things took forever. It was very straining and hard for the artist in me. But I’m happy with where I am now and I learned a lot. I’m ready to let it go out into the world and start the next chapter. 

What exactly got you to work on your own original material?

I took time to develop my own sounds. I started out by remixing other people, playing a bit with other acts, I explored a bunch. I had this sound in my head that I had to achieve, something that combined all my influences and things I absorbed over the years, but in the most unique way possible. It took a while to get there, since I write and produce everything I do. 

What artists have continued to inspire you? Who would you love to work with in the future?

I’m influenced by a lot of different artists, depending on my mood and what I focus on. Songwriting, producing, I just listen to elements. From Lauryn Hill to Fleetwood Mac, from Stevie Wonder to Bela Bartok, from Sam Cooke to Sly and Robbie, the list could go on…. I’d love to work with Little Simz!!

What do you hope is the message of your music?

Trying to be as emotionally direct and honest as possible, to make music that heals me and hopefully resonates with others – and to sustain, accompany, nourish, help or just entertain people, if that’s what they need 🙂 

Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers about yourself or your music? 

Check out my beat tape, free download on Soundcloud. This shows another important aspect of my work and who I am as an artist!

https://soundcloud.com/foxtrottfoxtrott/sets/foxtrott-beat-tape-2015