I like to start a studio session by taking a moment to share something we have read, listened or watched, to avoid a period of unnecessary transition defined by empty words. Time is short on so many levels, so it’s important for me to set a favorable tone for our communal moment. Today, to do so, I invited everyone to discover my friends Bertrand and Pascal’s new single, L’Angle, with their band Détroit, knowing their words and music would emotionally transcend their creators — and they did — reminding me once again of just how cathartically poignant the French language could be when we dwell on it with complete abandonment. It’s such a cultural wealth for me to be able to speak French as I do, another gift from my mother’s insistence on embracing that important side of familial heritage. It wouldn’t be a surprise for anyone around if I decided to work on a primarily French-based project, and Tangier would be the perfect setup for me to do so. Listening to Bertrand and Pascal this afternoon inspired me in a way I wasn’t expecting, to be honest. I spent the rest of the day sketching French words all over my notes.

Ben: “What are you doing, brother?”

Me: “Just daubing some French words…”

Ben: “You are incredible… You haven’t released our Japanese project yet, and now you’re already taking notes for a French one. Aren’t you ill today?”

Me: “It’s my creative brain telling my fragile body who’s in charge here…!”

Ben: “I’m happy I’m not in your head, I still value getting a few hours of rest in a day!”

Me: “That’s what resting means to me…”

Ben: “That’s it, I’m scared again!”