What is your name and role within Guillaume & the Coutu Dumonts?
That’s my name. I mean, my real name. Guillaume Coutu Dumont. The “& the” makes it sound a little like a band. A one man band, I guess. I do everything… everything!
How did you start?
I started doing music as a percussionist and then moved on to study electroacoustic composition. But that was a long time ago. I discovered electronic music and got hooked. For me it was a good blend between the music I was playing as an instrumentalist and the more academic stuff I had learn along the way.
Where are you based?
I’m originally from Montreal and I just recently moved back here after a 9 years stint in Europe. Mostly Berlin and a little bit in Paris.
Please give an example of your music creative process?
Well it could be anything really. Something I see, read, hear. But for the most part it’s a repeat, redo, trying to make it sound better, more forward thinking kind of process.
What are you working on right now?
I moved back to Montreal, among other things, to push a project I have with my friend Vincent Lemieux. We play under the name Flabbergast. So, I’m doing a lot of music with him at the moment. I also re hashed the Chic Miniature project (with Ernesto Ferreyra). We are releasing our first album soon. I’m also developing 2 new projects… we’ll see what’s in store for them.
We’re also building a studio here in Montreal. So that’ll be exciting when it’s done.
What is your gear setup?
For live shows, I use a laptop, Motu sound card, Drum pad (Roland HD-10), Synth (Jp-08), Drum module (Jomox Mbase), some controllers, Fx pedals (Eventide, Boss).
For the studio the list goes on. I love to mix analog gear and digital. Trying to suck up the best of both.
What do you like to do outside of music and does it affect your music?
I love cinema and cooking a lot. Not sure how much it affects my music, but in some deep subconscious way I am convinced that everything does.
How would you describe your music genre?
That’s a question for the journalist really.
Image Credit: Gabriel Coutu Dumont
Do you know any music theory?
I studied music in college and then at University. So I must have picked up a few notions here and there. As far as production goes, I worked in a production studio a while back. I had to learn a lot of hands on things there. That was a great help.
What are your plans for the future?
The move back to Montreal is kind of a cross road for me. Opening that studio with my partner is going to be a big piece of it. I want to keep on playing and pushing all the project I am involved with but try to level down the nomadic lifestyle a little. Balance things out.
How did you get into music?
Playing percussion in my dad’s living room listening to Santana.
What are you listening to at the moment?
I’ve been doing a lot of reno lately… and for some reason I ignore I’ve been listening to Daniel Lanois Acadie album. Ha!
Who are your top 5 influences and icons?
Theo Parrish and Kenny Dixon Jr.
Pink Floyd.
Farben.
A tribe called Quest.
Fat Freddy’s Drop
The list is too long to reduce it to 5 really.
When are you playing next?
I play in a couple of hours for Montreal Piknic Electronik.
https://www.facebook.com/guillaume.c.dumont/
Featured Photo Credit : Caroline Hayeur