Meet Glockabelle

Do yourself a favor and look up what in tarnation a glockenspiel is. It’s WILD and fun as heck to say. Also, try to get your friends to spell it. Go ahead. Give it a whirl. 

Now meet Glockabelle, a name that cleverly combines the artist’s name and instrument of choice. Also, fun as heck to say. This bilingual songstress bounces between experimental pop and prog-rock. Her innovative use of uncommon instruments including the Casio VL-Tone pocket keyboard had us intrigued, so we called her up to learn about bird songs, toilet flushing, and the correct way to make a napoleon. 

Would You Rather…

If you could pick one species of animals besides people to become 15 times their current size which one would you choose? Why?

I think we should leave all animals exactly the size that they are because that's how their mothers made and love them. Ne touche pas.

Some Questions With Glockabelle

What was your first band/musical project?

First acoustic band: Flop et Tout Le Tremblement, a Parisian group meaning Flop and the Whole Shebang (Flop was flop. I was the whole shebang). First rock band: The Fiery Furnaces.

Where did you grow up? Do you think it has had a major impact on the music you are making today?

Planet Glock.  Definitely yes, all the impacts. Maybe too much impact.

Where/how do you put your thoughts down when creating a song?

I try to imagine I am dunking my head into la toilette, pressing flush and letting all the ideas trickle down from my brain into my fingertips.

Can you Snap?

Like Fred Astaire.

Can you whistle?

Like Papagena fresh out of La Flute Enchantée.

Can you curl your tongue?

Sure. And I can also make it into a lucky clover.

Do you have a piece of musical gear that you have been very into lately?

Cable ties. 

Do you have a favorite family tradition?

My bird begins every day with variations on La Cucaracha.

When arranging all the layers of your music what is usually the process?

Like making a napoleon. First some pâtisserie fine. Then a layer of sweet cream. Then more pâtisserie. Keep going until it sounds edible then add sprinkles.

What was the first song you learned how to play?

"Ah! Vous direz-je maman" (that's Twinkle Twinkle to you, monsieur).

If you could only use 10 words for the rest of your life what would they be?

Merde. Non. Peut-être. Ne touche pas. Au revoir, Pierre.

What are your top three albums released in 2019 so far?

Please ask me about 1969.

Are you better at thumb wrestling or rock paper scissors? What’s your strategy?

Death stare.

Any final comments? (This is your electronic soapbox for one last answer.)

France Gall definitely knew what Serge Gainsbourg was talking about.