Indolore is the sonic playground of Guillaume Simon, a French indie-folk singer/songwriter who, just yesterday, unveiled a heartfelt tribute to his friend, the legendary English musician Terry Reid. Simply titled Terry, the gentle testimonial is a beautiful piece of music that focuses on the time the pair spent together, making music, and performing live.

Keen to get to know Guillaume a bit better and dig into his artistry a little further, I was over the moon when he said he'd be up for an interview!

Chatting about the shock of hearing Terry sing one of his songs, why Damien Rice's music was such a big inspiration to the Indolore sound, and why he would give independent musicians much more access to the bigger music events, festivals, and award ceremonies, please welcome our new friend Guillaume Simon, AKA Indolore!

Hi Guillaume, it's truly an honour to have you here! You probably won't recall, but I actually reviewed your single, Way Home, back in 2023 😊

Before we get stuck in, I'd love to ask you about your musical journey so far. What sparked your passion for it?

Hi, of course I remember your review of Way Home, thank you for your support!

I increasingly see music as an essential means of expression, vital to me. Beyond being a passion, it has become a language that allows me to say what I dare not express otherwise.

Your debut release was an EP titled Positive Girls. The fifth and last track is a tune called Je Rêve D’é, and it has garnered over four million plays on Spotify.

How on earth does it feel to know that so many people have heard and resonated with one of your songs?

It's completely mad! When I think that I almost didn't put it on my first EP! I thought it was too simplistic, too naive. Looking back, I think that Je Rêve D'é is actually very close to who I am.

Now, I'm discovering lots of videos on social media that use this song to illustrate moments in life and travel, often sweet and poetic. For me, that's the greatest recognition.

Let's get down to Terry, your beautiful and heartfelt new single that, unexpectedly, became a tribute to the late great Terry Reid.

I know you had the pleasure of meeting Terry and even working with him, and I'm wondering if you could put into words what that experience was like?

How could I tell you that? We all have big coffee table books at home with photos of music history, rock in particular, filled with legends and incredible stories. Meeting Terry Reid and hearing him sing my song in the recording booth right in front of me was a shock that immediately propelled me into the heart of one of those great books. I felt like Terry had invited me into the mythology of rock 'n' roll. I will never forget that moment.

Who are some of your biggest musical influences? And who would I see under “Recently Played” on your streaming service of choice?

When I decided to go solo as Indolore, Damien Rice's music, intensity, and sincerity reassured me: I could be direct too, express myself with minimal arrangement.

In my "Recently Played" section, you'll find quite a wide variety of artists, including Miles Davis, Iron & Wine, Louis-Jean Cormier (a singer from Quebec), and, of course, Terry Reid!

We’re always fascinated by the different approaches artists turn to in their creative processes.

How do you take an idea and turn it into a complete song?

I see an idea as a sound, a piece of music, a word that speaks to me, that takes me out of the pure reality of the moment. I, who have always loved to escape (since childhood), take advantage of this opportunity to walk through that door without knowing where it will lead me.

In the process, I need to finish the music (melody and chords) fairly quickly in order to try to preserve the momentum and coherence of the initial spark. The words come later, and more difficultly, I must admit. Writing lyrics requires real discipline on my part.

Einstein famously said, “If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician.”

If you were not a musician, what would you be?

I would be in a field where it is required, or at least possible and useful, to express myself individually. That's what I've always tried to do in the jobs I've had outside of music.

I would have liked to be a writer or even an actor. Serving the words of others would also appeal to me greatly.

What are your thoughts regarding the music industry of today? And, if you could, what changes would you make to it?

The music industry has retained its power, and everything it does is geared toward maintaining that power. As a result, it is always one battle behind (even if it then has the means to win it), one trend behind. I am a completely independent artist, yet I manage to make my way.

If I could change anything, I would really give independent musicians access to the biggest music events, festivals, and award ceremonies. This is a battle I am fighting at my own level.

Guillaume, it's been a treat having you here and getting to know you better!

Before we sign off, what’s next on your creative radar, and do you have any words of wisdom you'd like to leave us with?

Thank you! I will be releasing my new EP, La Vie Side B, in the spring, which will include the single Terry. It will be the sequel and conclusion to my album La Vie, which I hope to release on vinyl in a few months.

I love these three words that guide me when I'm feeling lost: “Less is more.”

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