19 Aug VAN HETCHER RELEASES NEW SINGLE LOVE ELASTIC
Born French-Georgian, Van Hechter is a Montreal-based pop artist with an edge; he is funny, cutting, at times political, yet his tracks are catchy and always easy to dance to… — He grew up between Canada, France and the U.S.A., studied opera, literature and cinema in college, then dropped everything to become a punk singer, joining a locally successful band which he renamed Audiobing.
After disbandment, Van focused on writing and music production, but in 2017, he returned to his first love; singing, releasing ”Van Unlikely”, which reunited him with Montreal/Toronto/Miami crowds… This year he is back, offering his strongest album to date; ”Love Elastic”— a hyper-uplifting collection of songs which all have to do with love in the 21st century… Slogan goes like so; ”Because true love isn’t possessive, it is flexible, it morphs through time and doesn’t break. It is elastic…”
We had a chat with him!
Hi Van Hechter, First up, tell us bit about yourself – what first got you into music?
It was just clear—- at 3 I knew. I told my mom, pointing at a disco singer; ‘’I’m like him’’… Music was my first and only love, possibly LOL! It obsessed me, haunted me, I felt empty without it, exhilarated by it. I played records — studied them- while the other kids were kicking balls. It’s still like that today! I suspect it always will be. I just can’t exist without music and every time I’ve tried to do something else with my life— I was extremely unhappy. So at some point in my thirties, after some success and much failure I realized I just couldn’t not be a full time musician, regardless of where that brought me. Hahahaha! And here I am!
Were there any particular bands or artists you took inspiration from?
Bowie and Moroder taught me to layer. The Punk movement revealed me to myself in terms of rebellion (I may wear suits, project a slick image, roll around on beaches covered in coconut oil LOL, but the core of me is angry at certain aspects of society, and I protest, refuse to bend, try to encourage everybody to think for themselves—- that’s rather punk in spirit)! Last (I hate to admit it but since it’s true); Madonna showed me how to edit… And I thank her for it— there, I said it ONCE. I’m also a HUGE Motown fan; I think that comes through in my melodies at times.
How would you describe your musical style and the Van Hechter?
I’d say it’s electropop with an edge of humor, nostalgia and funk… Even when I write political lyrics I want the melodies to remain fun. And at all times I laugh at everything—- starting with myself.
If you could collaborate with any living artist, who would it be?.
I am actually working right now on a secret project with an iconic DJ I’ve been crazy about musically for a few years— so that’s one dream happening as we speak. Then, —- really anyone who marches to their own drum. I recently went bonkers listening to Todrick Hall’s ‘’Nails Hair Hips Heals’’, because it supasses the ‘’gay’’ component; it’s actually a huge ‘’F**** You’’ to the norm, to all narrow thinkers. I love that. So; door is open to Todrick!
Tell us about your new single, ‘Love Elastic’. What’s it about, what are its themes?
I think that true love isn’t possessive… It’s about wanting the best for the other person, letting them live their life. It’s fluid, it morphs through time but actually it rarely breaks. It’s elastic.
When did you write it and where did you record it?
I wrote it on the beach in Fort Lauderdale. I was letting go of a love who needed freedom to soar, – I had to be selfless not selfish if I really wanted to be a good boyfriend. The lyrics came easily, so did the melody… I then returned to our studio in Montreal, record it with my music partner Eryck Wyseman in the middle of a snow blizzard hahahahha! Later I went back to film the video on the exact same strip of beach I’d written it.
How does ‘Van Hechter’ represent your style?
I think if you look at my image, you already get what the music will sound like; the disco mustache, the suits, the glitter at times, the self-moquery and general sense of fun I put into all my outfits (I am either in a suit or ¾ naked), but also the irony (something is always a bit off, on purpose)—. the appearance of Van is a visual translation of his musical style.
What are your hopes for the new single ‘Van Hechter”?
To reach as many hearts as possible— of all ages. Then, if I can get youth to sing along with me– to really get the message while enjoying the beat; I’ll be a happy man. I do believe that we need to focus on our youngsters; they are the future and the world needs to be saved. If anyone is going to do it; it’ll be them.
What can you tell us about your plans for the rest of 2019?
I am promoting the ‘’Love Elastic’’ EP, 3 more singles are scheduled to come out before March 2020, one of which is about the environment, entitled ‘’Fuck The Disco’’… I’ll be singing in various Montreal, Toronto and NYC clubs until the end of the year, popping up, making surprise cameos (love that!!). And on New Year’s Eve I am booked at the iconic Stonewall Inn in NYC to launch a duet (not telling with whom yet LOL)– of course I’ll also sing a few of my solo tracks— right after the midnight countdown!
Finally, if you could go back in time and give yourself one piece of advice, when would it be and what would you say?
I would tell the 11-year-old me; ‘’They’re wrong—- YOU are right; don’t waste time doubting, they can’t see what you see—- yet, just work hard, then harder, don’t cry and don’t let them convince you that you don’t have what it takes’’!
You van conect with Van Hechter on social media here – https://www.facebook.com/vanhechter1
