Hyleen artist you should hear
Interview conducted on June 14, 2019
by Dan Locke
Born in the French Riviera in 1991, Hyleen Gil is a young, complete and extremly talented artist.
She has been gifted with a warm, powerful and husky voice that captures the heart of anyone who listens. As a songwriter, singer and guitarist, her musical inspiration takes its roots from the Soul Music trough the Jazz, Funk, Neo- Soul till the Pop Music, to create her own vibe.
Starting as an autodidact, playing for fun in her Brother’s band. When the time came for him to stop music and put the priority to his studies, she naturally became a singer and started writing songs… Later on, Hyleen studied Musicology at University, then to the National Conservatory in Paris
to perfect her musical culture and background on the guitar and Vocals before starting to perform and traveling all around the world.
Dan Locke: What did you listen to growing up?
Hyleen: The first album I got was « 100° and Rising » by the band from the UK called Incognito. I fell in love with the groove instantly. Then I listened to a lot of different music such as AC/DC, Foo Fighters, James Brown, Erykah Badu, D’Angelo, Jill Scott, Justin Timberlake, Earth Wind & Fire, etc. etc …
How did you become Hyleen?
I think the day I wrote my first song when I was 14.
Why did you pick Jazz as your musical style?
I’m not a Jazz artist properly, I’m a mix of Soul, Pop, Funk. Jazz music has been brought unintentionally by the musicians in my band bringing their musical background in my music.
What was your first band?
I’ve started music in my brother’s band as a guitar player. He was the bass player and songwriter. When he left the parent’s house for his studies, I started to write my own music and singing. Since that day I’ve never stopped.
Why did picked Musicology?
After High-school I wanted to learn and improve my musical bits of knowledge, so I’ve been to university first and then to the Conservatory of modern music in Paris.
What was your first guitar? Do you still have it?
My first guitar was a Yamaha nylon string acoustic guitar. I went to school so many times with this one and I’ve played my first public performance with it!
I don’t have this guitar anymore because I’m a good sister :), I gave it to one of my brothers when he wanted to learn how to play too.
How did you get artist some of the artists how play on your first recording?
At this time, I was working with a different producer and we took our chance by sending them my songs and they all responded positively. I’m still so honored to have worked with them it was such an incredible experience, and the best is that we are still in touch now, they all supported me a lot.
On your second recording, I readied that you did everything live. So, there was no editing of the musical part at all. Or anything added? Was everything recorded in the same studio (location)?
So yes, the trio was recorded live (Drums, keys, bass, guitar, and voice). We wanted to have this special vibe we could have in those records back in the ’60s, with this special sound. And we wanted to keep our live energy because we were already touring with this music.
We’ve only added the backing vocals and some percussions details in a second time.
Everything was recorded in the same studio in Paris (Juno’s Studio with the great sound engineer Bertrand Fresnel).
What pop artist, do you think would be a good jazz artist?
For sure Prince, Stevie Wonder Sting, John Mayer!
You are from France. I am going to name some France artist or people from France. And I would like you to say something about each if possible.
Daft Punk – Everybody was listening to them at school it was such a new vibe!
Mylene Farmer – I remember that my mum was always watching her live performance at the Stade de France. It was huge. She is unique, such a different artist.
Celine Dion – An incredible singer …
Christine and the Queens – I really like her vibe. She does what she wants, and she brings something new in France and that’s really good!
I was surprised to hear that Paris is a big hip-hop music location. Why do you think that is?
Paris is a rotating platform for music. It’s always growing. There are so many kinds of music coming from Africa, North Africa, London is just 2h away by train, it’s so easy to find really good clubs with musicians from everywhere. Hip Hop is growing too with the new generation, this is very cool.
Who would you like to have supported you if you are doing a headline world tour?
Daniel March from Australia and ALEM because he already supported us in Paris.
How do you picture yourself in 5 years?
It’s a really hard question. Nowadays you never know, but of course, I’ll still be playing my music! Hopefully on big stages with the crowd singing my new and older songs! 🙂
Anything in closing for your fans?
Thanks for all your support! Looking forward to meeting you and giving you some more music!
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