Melody Prochet recorded her first song at the age of 18 but has been playing music since she was young—growing up with classical training, studying viola and performing in an orchestra. The French multi-instrumentalist recently teamed up with Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker, and together the two created Melody’s Echo Chamber. Pulling from influences like beautiful phenomena occurring in nature, the duo’s music is a kaleidoscopic view of psychedelia mixed with classicism and rich, lush melodies. The two-piece recently released its self-titled debut LP and is currently on its first North American tour with The Ravonettes (including a stop at Los Angeles’ El Rey on October 8). Amidst preparing for her first time playing overseas, Prochet was nice enough to chat with me about the band’s origins, releasing a 7” with Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and what Melody’s Echo Chamber means to her.
Melody Prochet: I supported Tame Impala on their Euro tour in 2010. We shared some new demos and Kevin loved my material and wanted to try producing it. It blossomed into collaboration on a whole album a few months later.
KN: How long have you personally been making music?
MP: I recorded my very first songs at my big brother 's home studio when I was 18. I've been playing in an orchestra and learning viola since I was young. I've always been making music.
KN: What does Melody’s Echo Chamber mean to you?
MP: When recording the album, Kevin was always chasing music equipment on Ebay. He was looking at a vintage Space Echo called an 'Echo Chamber' and I had this crazy dream the same night in which my bedroom's acoustics had changed into Infinite Echo mode, and when I talked my voice resounded endlessly until it woke me up. I thought, What if I had a switch to change my room's acoustics! I loved the idea and it stuck with me.
KN: Your split 7” with Unknown Mortal Orchestra is great. How did you hook up with those guys?
MP: My bandmate Maud played me the UMO record last year, and I fell in love with the songs and Ruban's sound. I checked who released their record and that's how I found out about Fat Possum. The Label told me later UMO loved my record too, and this collaboration kind of naturally happened.
KN: You’re gearing up to release your self-titled debut album, tell me about the recording process.
MP: We recorded most of the music in Kevin's Studio in Perth. It was super fun and natural. We would just record for a couple of hours and then we'd go hang out at the beach.
KN: How does it feel to prepare for your release of a debut full-length?
MP: The hard bit is done. At the moment preparing for the tour is intense because it’s so hard to get a U.S. visa, but I hope we'll get it in time!
KN: Are you doing anything special for the release?
MP: I think we will celebrate the release at my friend’s bar, Le Motel, in Paris.
KN: Your music is a beautiful blend of hazy, whimsical dream-pop. What would you say are your largest influences?
MP: I'm fascinated by nature's psychedelic creations and phenomena, you know like 'Hole Punch clouds" or Bioluminescence or psychedelic scenery like in Danxia China..it really inspires me when I find out about new things like that. I recently found out about Eucalyptus rainbow trees.. sweet Trees.
KN: What do you hope for you listeners to gain from your music?
MP: I guess I'd love them to feel like they're going on a trip to somewhere they don't know when they listen to my music, and feel good.
KN: Aside from releasing an album, you are also prepping for a North American tour with The Raveonettes. Are you excited?
MP: Super excited! I cross my fingers to get my Visa on time, but we're ready to explore all those cities and meet new people and have fun!
KN: Will this be your first time performing in North America?
MP: Yes, and it will be a lot of first times there I think!
KN: What have been your favorite albums of 2012 so far?
MP: My friend from Grizzly Bear played me his album Shields and I've been seriously blown away again. It's incredible. Also Tame Impala's new album is sick.
KN: What’s next for Melody’s Echo Chamber?
MP: Touring and then recording again and then hangout in a Hammock with some cider and friends for a while…maybe in Australia again.
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