In this conversation, we’ll explore Antuan.‘s artistic journey, the stories behind his latest releases, and what inspires him to craft such moving music. Join us as we dive into the mind of this exciting artist and discover the magic behind his unique sound!

• A Blast from Your Past is such a deeply emotional track. What inspired you to write it?

A Blast from Your Past has a funny story on how I wrote it. I was having dinner at home with friends when one of them just told us a story about a girl he was getting to know. He opened up completely about a difficult situation because the girl just left an eight year relationship and this friend of mine was one of the first people she had been with after the separation. The song tells the struggles that he went through with her and trying to convince her to start again with him. I remember being so shocked with the story, that the same night, when everybody left home, I wrote the lyrics for the song as if I were my friend!  

• How does it set the tone for your upcoming EP, PAST I?

This is the first of the three songs that will be on my first EP, PAST I. The EP drives through nostalgia about situations that have happened to me or to some of my friends and the stories behind them. PAST I sets the tone for the upcoming EPs and it is a journey through emotions that make you think about past experiences and feelings. I want listeners to reflect about their past experiences with lovers, friends and family that can soak their present with beautiful memories from the past.  

• Your lyrics in A Blast from Your Past explores themes of nostalgia and personal growth. How do your own past experiences influence your songwriting process? Do you always draw inspiration from personal experiences and reflections?

Definitely yes. I define the creative process as “being in the right place at the right time”. I do not usually write songs if I do not feel inspired. But once I get the inspiration, I can write about anything that has happened to me or to people around me. I do believe that writing a song is an expression of something that you have inside of you and needs to be told, whether it is a personal experience or you just need to talk about something. Writing for me is like therapy, sometimes you just sit down and tell stories that have no matter, but some other times you need to get something huge off your chest.

• Can you share the creative process behind PAST I? What message or emotions are you hoping to convey with the EP?

In fact, the decision of creating PAST I was taken after writing the songs. When I wanted to group all the songs that I had, I felt like these three songs told stories about the past and were much focused on past events. That is why I decided to create a specific EP for such an important part of our lives which is the past. I would like to convey emotions of nostalgia, reflection, trauma… I truly believe that the past is a beautiful tool to be used with measure so we can relocate ourselves in the present and to know how much we have changed.

• Who are some of your biggest musical influences, and how have they shaped your sound?

As crazy as it seems, I am an absolute fan of Punk Rock and Rock music, two genres that defined my musical base when I was a kid. As I grew up, I dived into more alternative and indie sounds with bands such as Bombay Bicycle Club, The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, The Marias, Her’s, Clairo… Those are my main influences in the music that I make, but I also love sounds from Latin Music, Electronic Music, Dance Music, Pop Music… I consider myself as a music lover more than a musician who tries to enclose himself in one or two musical genres.

• What does your songwriting process look like? Do you start with lyrics, melodies, or a specific emotion? 

When I was younger I used to write songs from the music and then tried to “fit” the lyrics into the songs. As I grew up, I realized the importance of the lyrics and then started with the lyrics before the music. Once you have written them, they just tell you what kind of music feels better for them. In the case of A Blast from Your Past, I was crazy about a song of The Marias called “Heavy”, so I picked up my bass at my home studio and started creating bass lines with it, until one of the lines became the main riff of the song that set the basis for the rest of the elements!

• What has been the most challenging part of your artistic journey so far, and how have you overcome it?

In just one word: money. Being a solo artist is practically impossible without any extra funds or collaborations. Fortunately, I’ve been able to work hard in my life to have some savings and I’ve been extremely lucky to have worked with many amazing people during the recording of the songs. My friend and producer Siôr [IG – @maintrackstudio], my fellow friends of [IG – @loscuatrocientosgolpes], who got the best out of the videoclip, my mastering engineer [IG – @mixedbyhill] and lots of other beautiful people that made this whole process so easy and joyful.

• What can fans expect from your future projects? Are there any collaborations, new sounds, or maybe experimentation with genres? 

A Blast from Your Past is just the tip of the iceberg of the project! This journey will begin with PAST I, but it will continue with 3 more EPs that will be released in 2025. That’s all I can say for the moment, but get yourselves ready for what is to come 🙂

• The music video for the single, perfectly complements the song’s reflective and nostalgic mood. What was the experience like filming in such a picturesque location?

As I said, my fellow friends from @loscuatrocientosgolpes must take all the credit for the videoclip. They worked SO hard for it to become a reality. We spent a whole weekend recording the videos (yes, there is one more to come). They proposed to me the idea of going to Saint-Jean de Luz in France and, as soon as I heard what they had in mind, I felt that it was the perfect spot and the right idea for what I wanted to express with A Blast from Your Past. It was such a pleasure to work with them and, yeah, we’ll see what’s coming next…

• How involved were you in the creative direction of your music videos? Are there any symbolism in the video you wanna talk about?

I wanted it to be visually beautiful, that was my main concern and what I transmitted to the film-makers. I had the obsession that I wanted the music video to be simple but effective. It had to be visually attractive in every single shot. A video that you could pause at any time and have a beautiful screenshot. Then, the story was created by the film-makers. They proposed to me a story where I went to a beach with my bag to spend a lovely beach day. All of a sudden, I discover a sign that leads me to my past memories and that’s where the fun begins. I start to find objects and memories of my old self and I get so crazy about it that I even go into the ocean to dive into those memories. Where will it lead me to? We’ll see 🙂

• Thank you for your time and for such a wonderful chat. 

Thank you very much folks for your time and appreciation. It’s been an honor for me tobe in your magazine and to be interviewed by you guys. It was such a pleasure. I really hope we can work together in the near future. Hugs and best wishes!!!

ANTUAN.’s new single, A Blast from Your Past  is a masterclass in emotional subtlety, seamlessly weaving nostalgic themes with an uplifting sonic palette. As the lead track from his upcoming EP, PAST I, the song transports listeners through a heartfelt journey of introspection and personal growth.

The lyrics dive deep into the bittersweet ache of revisiting lost moments and unanswered questions. ANTUAN.’s soft, earnest vocals capture the fragility of yearning while asking pivotal questions like, “Will you start again with me?” The melancholic verses are underscored by shimmering melodies that suggest a glimmer of hope amid the pain. It’s a tension that keeps the listener emotionally connected from start to finish.

Recorded in the serene setting of Saint Jean de Luz, France, the accompanying music video brings the song’s reflective themes to life with breathtaking visuals. The dreamy cinematography mirrors the emotional pull of remembering and reconciling, inviting viewers to contemplate their own journeys.

Whether it’s the heartfelt line, “Freedom is what you seek, to rumble in the sky,” or the understated yet infectious production, A Blast from Your Past  is a track that lingers in the soul. Its delicate blend of memory and melody makes it a standout, cementing ANTUAN. as an artist unafraid to delve into the complexities of human emotion.

For anyone longing for a soundtrack to their own reflective moments, this track is a must-hear, and the music video is also a must-watch for a complete artistic experience!