We sat down with Victor Solf to talk about his upcoming debut solo EP, the circle of life and trying to answer the question on what is really important through his lyrics.

photography by Antoine Hénault

Victor, thanks again for having the time to talk with us. Our last interview has been already around 2 years ago. So you just revealed the release of “Aftermath”, your first solo, EP which will be out on 31st January. What’s the story behind this record and the title of it ?

I recorded almost everything at home with my piano and keys, some drum machine and my vocals. I never went to a conventional « studio ». It was really exciting as I never did that before.
All the lyrics are also really personal, I’m talking about what it’s like to be on my own for the first time. I’m trying to answer those questions: What do we really need to be happy? What’s really important?

I listened to the full EP and totally fall in love with “The Salt Of The Earth”. A wonderful mix of genres; calm yet uplifting and filled with positive vibes. What does this song mean to you?

This song means a lot. I wrote it in a very strange time of my life. In the same year, I lost my best friend from cancer but I also discovered I was going to be a dad… It’s what you call « the circle of life » right ?

That’s how I wrote the chorus :

« It’s the salt of the earth, it’s a death for a birth »

What is your creative process when making songs? Do you let the ideas flow to you or do you need to inspire yourselves in a certain way?

I spent a lot time playing on the piano, writing lyrics. When the song feels finished like that, then I know I can record it, upgrade it with a more electronic approach.

I read that you said: “I deeply love people.” I honestly struggle sometimes to love people as there are so many bad things going on in the world and sometimes it’s hard to see the good in people. What advice do you have for me?

It’s always harder to love, to have hope for the future or just for yourself, especially now in this trouble time.

The only advice I would have is to act in everything you can: in your job, your family, your friends. Even if the world breaks down, you can still be in control of your life because you’re still alive. If you let someone control you (even your phone wanna do that most of the time) that’s when your soul slowly begins to die.