Interview: Andre Comeau discusses new single, new album, reflects on being cast member of first-ever MTV's The Real World
Andre Comeau has maintained a perseverant attitude throughout his lengthy career in music—from his foundational days as being a television rock star in the first ever The Real World New York: Season One reality show on MTV in 1992 with his Detroit-based alt-rock band Reigndance, to continuing as a musician in Los Angeles with his folk music project River Rouge into 2016, to his current 2019 return as an independent solo hard rock singer-songwriter, with two EPs and a new LP, Portrait, which released early August.
In this extensive interview with OOTB, Comeau discusses: recording the new album, new single “Love Like Poison,” his Real World days, his views on current reality TV and much more.
Why did you choose “Love Like Poison” to be the new single? What is it about the song that defines your sound and lyrical focus?
“Love Like Poison” was the first song I wrote for this album cycle. I like the striking rhythm guitar reminiscent of “London Calling” and I love the drum/bass/guitar interplay. Also, the song’s melody fits right in the sweet spot of my vocal range and really features a uniqueness about me as a singer and songwriter.
How did you approach Portrait different than Wrong Within and Clean Break?
Wrong Within and Clean Break both had some tracks that I had written previously and had recorded and/or demoed. Portrait had none of that, all brand new tracks that I hadn’t demoed prior to these album versions, so there’s a real freshness to them without any preconceptions.
Most of the songs were tracked at our drummer Darren Elpant’s recording studio in Silver Lake, Calif., but there are a couple tracks on Portrait that I recorded without my band at a studio outside of Dallas, Texas.
The song “Muse,” for instance, is one where I’m playing all the instruments. On another, “Deep End,” I’m playing with musicians that are outside of my band and inner circle. Musicians like Levi Bradford on piano and Benny Reid on saxophone. I’m playing drums on that one as well as guitar and vocals. The song “Whatever Never” is just me on acoustic guitar and vocal, and our bassist, Gary Wicks, wrote a wonderful string arrangement to accompany his upright arco bass. We enlisted classical instrumentalist Stevie Blacke to play violin, viola, and cello. “WTF UFO” stylistically is a very different sound for us as well; it reaches more into my midwestern Americana Country roots and features the brilliant work of Phil Parlapiano on the ivories.
What’s the biggest struggle you’ve faced overall in the music industry through the years with Reigndance, River Rouge and as a solo artist and how did you overcome that, or is it still a struggle?
I think legitimacy was a real problem for me early in my musical career. And the truth is, I have nothing to prove to anyone.
With Reigndance it was more of an issue, given the way most people were made aware of us, through an arguably silly TV show. And context is important. This was the early ‘90s, where being real was THE most important thing. And although I was the frontman and lead singer of that band, I wasn’t one of the principal songwriters, more of a collaborator. Unlike River Rouge, which was a solo project under a band name in a new genre for me. So when I decided to start another rock band, I decided to just go with my name, as that is not something I’ll ever want to back away from.
How did post-The Real World affect you as a person and your music?
Being a cast member of MTVs The Real World was a crazy experience. It was the very first modern-day reality show on a network that was must-see-TV for my generation (Gen-X) in a way that nothing had ever spoken to us before or has since.
We shared some very real things about our lives and that can be very humbling. I think I’m much more reserved now and depending on the issue, I can be somewhat reticent to share my opinion on things like politics or personal beliefs.
I’m amazed at the “influencer” mindset that wants to share and presumes people care about every aspect of their lives.
With The Real World being a foundation and catalyst for the popularity of reality TV, how do you feel about current reality TV shows today?
I can’t watch what most people consider reality TV. The contrived drama and the personalities that producers choose to showcase, I often just don’t enjoy getting-to-know. I’m also a little jaded and just too aware of how it’s constructed, the seams are usually too apparent for me.
I prefer scripted drama, actual documentaries and true crime, I think that’s about as close as I can get. And cooking shows.
If you could collaborate with any musician who would it be and why?
I would like to collaborate with different producers, that seems very attractive to me. People like Dave Cobb, Daniel Lanois, Rick Rubin, Steve Jordan. Their are many.
I tend to write all my songs solo, but maybe I might like to collaborate with other songwriters that have a different skillset than my own. Again, so many. Especially in Nashville. There’s just so much talent there. Too many to name.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Underestimate me at your own peril.
Follow Andre Comeau
https://www.instagram.com/andrecomeaumusic/
https://m.facebook.com/andrecomeaumusic/
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCFw
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