Antuan., an emerging musical talent from Madrid, Spain, stands out with his moving melodies, softly-textured vocals and intimate lyricism. “A Blast from Your Past,” the opening single from his upcoming EP, PAST I, brings you the bittersweet emotionality of nostalgia, heartbreak, and hope and invites you to dive into your own ocean of memories and blissfully swim in the waters of reminiscence and rumination. The soundscape features luminous, contemplative chords set against pulsating, sharp beats. Amidst the richness and reverberating aura of the instrumentation, a soothing, soulful voice rises above, drawing tender, resonant melodies onto the soundscape. This song will envelop you in its lush, emotive atmosphere. Lost In The Manor interviews Antuan. about the single, musical influences, creative process, and future plans. Check it out below!
Tell us about yourself. Which artists have inspired you and shaped your sound?
Antuan. is a solo music project that is defined with the sounds of Indie and Alternative Pop. I try to merge the best out of the analog and synthetic world and mix it altogether to shape my own sound. My musical influences come from all kinds of music genres, I love rock, britpop, alternative and electronic music. Some of the artists that have shaped my sound are The Marias, Honne, Her’s, Clairo, Billie Eilish and Finneas, but also some other artists like Coldplay, Blur, Arctic Monkeys or The Strokes.
Your latest single, “A Blast from Your Past” is a deeply resonant, contemplative track studded with glowing guitar melodies, emotive vocals, and affecting lyricism. Tell us more about the creative process and inspirations behind this song.
I would define “A Blast from Your Past” as an evocative, nostalgic and reflexive song. The lyrics talk about a failed relationship, where a person tries to persuade a lover to begin a new love with him, but the other part refuses to start again and believes in love due to her past experiences. The song explores these past experiences and gives a nostalgic vibe to reflect for all listeners.
What are some of the musical influences at play here?
The Marias are such a huge influence for me. You can clearly see where the idea in “A Blast from Your Past” came from if you listen to their song “Heavy”. I was listening to that song as I was looking for inspiration, so I picked up my bass and started playing different bass lines that set the basis of the song.
Tell us more about the music video and what the experience of making it was like for you?
It was so much fun! We went to Saint-Jean de Luz in France to film the music video and we recorded it all in just one day! We had a blast recording the video and my friends from @loscuatrocientosgolpes were the ones who made me feel so special and set everything up so that it could look so nostalgic and aesthetic. We did not have much time, so I left Madrid at 2 in the morning so that I could be on the same day in Saint-Jean de Luz, where I arrived at 7 a.m and spent the whole day recording!
How does this song tie into the theme of your upcoming debut EP, PAST I?
PAST I is one of the most melancholic works I have ever written. The 3 songs that make up the EP are based on three specific memories anchored in the past, inviting reflection and self-discovery. "A Blast from Your Past" is the first of the three tracks, delving into the turbulence of past personal relationships. Next comes "Caramel Eyes", a narrative of personal resilience, set to release on December 13th. Finally, "You Got Me So Bad" closes the EP with a reflection on those moments we had in the past but can never quite taste again.
What can the audience expect in terms of the sounds and stories in the upcoming EP?
In terms of sound, "A Blast from Your Past" leans towards a more melancholic vibe, with elements rooted in indie alternative and highly atmospheric guitars. Meanwhile, "Caramel Eyes" brings back some acoustic elements, featuring multiple acoustic guitars that accompany the song, alongside synthesizers, electric bass, and electronic beats that blend Latin-inspired rhythms in the choruses. As for "You Got Me So Bad", it’s a track that feels closer to bands like Honne or The Marias, being the first song to blend both electronic and acoustic elements with lyrics in both English and Spanish!
What do you enjoy most about the songwriting process?
In my case, the songwriting process is incredibly fun. For me, writing songs is about "being in the right place at the right time". Let me explain myself. I can go months without writing anything or having creative moments. However, I’ve learned that inspiration can strike at any time, and you have to be ready for it. When inspiration comes, you must always have a pen and paper because if you don’t, it slips away and never comes back. That never knowing when it will happen, makes it extremely funny for me, because you never know why or when the inspiration is going to come, and that makes it more memorable for me to remember the process behind all the songs I’ve ever written!
What are your future plans, and what excites you most about what’s ahead?
My plans for the future include releasing the EP PAST I, which will see the light at the end of January 2025, featuring all the songs I mentioned earlier. After that, the next release will come in February 2025 with the first single from the new EP, PAST II, accompanied by a brand-new music video. The title of the song? I'll reveal it soon. But stay tuned, there are still three more EPs to come in 2025 :)
Listen to “A Blast from Your Past” by Antuan. here!
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