An Interview with Saint Laurent's musical genius SebastiAn
Since 2005, Sebastian Akchoté, SebastiAn for short, has been one of the most renowned musicians and producers in France. Frank Ocean, Kavinsky, Charlotte Gainsbourg count on the productions of this extraordinary musical talent. But he is also on the road solo: his latest album "Thirst" was only released in 2019.
When the 40-year-old is not mixing up the dance floors of the hottest clubs around the world with his atmospheric, driving electro house, he composes the soundtracks to Saint Laurent's elaborate high fashion shows. In close collaboration with YSL creative director Anthony Vaccarello, Monsieur SebastiAn recently released the twelve-part vinyl boxset "Frequencies", which brings together his best catwalk instrumentals for the legendary fashion house.
You have been responsible for the soundtracks of Saint Laurent's fashion shows since 2014. How did the collaboration with the famous luxury brand come about?
SebastiAn: "Through a mutual acquaintance, filmmaker Nathalie Canguilhem, who also directs the Saint Laurent shows. She introduced me to Anthony Vaccarello, who was completely thrilled with my producing work for Charlotte Gainsbourg. Anthony asked me if I could imagine composing the music for one of his shows. What originally started as a one-off planned test balloon has now been working perfectly for seven years."
"Anthony has an exact image of the woman his couture is for in mind when designing. I create the musical framework." - SebastiAn on the music he creates for Saint Laurent
What is the creative process like when composing?
SebastiAn: "Three or four days before the show, Anthony presents me with a sneak peek of the new collection and visuals. We talk briefly about his influences and inspirations; he leaves the rest to me. My job is to translate the essence of the upcoming line into music. I then have a good 72 hours to build a track."
Sleep seems overrated for you ...
SebastiAn: "I love this way of working and sleep a maximum of five hours a night. The challenge is to create something great in a very short time. You have to try to switch off conscious thinking and concentrate only on your impulses. The track is constantly changing and evolving; a very dynamic process. Often I get so lost in the music while composing that when I listen to it afterwards, I feel like someone else has recorded this piece. I'm usually done about half an hour before the show starts ..."
Are your tracks also based on dreams?
SebastiAn: "Actually, sometimes I wake up with a concrete idea, which I then try to realise immediately. I have set up a home studio at home and can sit down at the mixing desk right from bed. There are various pieces that I have started early in the morning at 4."
There is something very head-cinematic about many of your instrumental pieces.
SebastiAn: "Similar to a cinema film, the music should add another dimension to the show and underline its drama. I think Saint Laurent fashion in particular has always been characterised by something very dramatic. When Anthony designs, he has an exact image of the woman for whom his couture is intended. I create the musical framework for her movements, her facial expressions and gestures. I also love drama! Privately, I'm more of a laid-back guy, but within music, I can fully live out my soft spot. I think that's what Anthony and I have in common."
Whereby sometimes it's also quite dark: Some of your runway pieces are reminiscent of the goosebump instrumentals of horror icon John Carpenter and soundtracks of screen shockers like "Halloween" or "The Fog"!
SebastiAn: "John Carpenter is definitely a big influence. Anthony and I love dark, atmospheric flicks. It can be dark, but at the same time it has to have a certain elegance. Like in a film noir. Maybe a typically French thing."
What about ambitions as a runway model or your own fashion line? Have you ever thought about it?
SebastiAn: "I have to admit that this thought has actually not occupied me yet. Probably because I am so obsessed with music. I wouldn't have time to do anything else at all."
What fashion trend should never come back in your eyes?
SebastiAn: "I think fashion should be fun first and foremost. It all comes back at some point anyway, whether you like it or not. Seen in the context of its respective time, everything certainly has its raison d'être, although some revivals seem like a caricature. It's the same with music. But if it were up to me, I could well do without Buffalos. I already hated them in high school in the 90s and wondered how anyone could tie something so clunky to their feet ..."
The vinyl box set "Frequencies" is available exclusively in all Saint Laurent Rive Droite stores and as a stream and download on all major music portals.
