Gojira’s Joe Duplantier Displays on Summer time Olympics, New Music

“I considered the entire steel group at that second.”

Joe Duplantier joined Loudwire Nights on Friday (Aug. 30) to mirror on Gojira’s efficiency on the opening ceremonies of this 12 months’s Summer time Olympics.

“That was a reasonably mystical second, earlier than it kicked in,” Duplantier stated about what he was feeling proper earlier than Gojira tore into “Mea Culpa (Ah! Ça Ira!)” with composer Victor le Masne and opera singer Marina Viotti.

“I assumed to myself, ‘What the heck am I doing right here? What’s going on? Are we about to play steel on tv worldwide? That is insane.'”

When host Chuck Armstrong requested Duplantier what music he would have gone with for the ceremonies if Gojira received to decide on, the frontman was grateful he did not have that accountability.

“I might be torn,” Duplantier admitted. “What ought to we play? One music? Are you kidding? First, for positive, we’d have gone with one thing that has a which means for the scenario on the planet proper now. We at all times wish to be related and we at all times wish to empower folks. We at all times wish to talk with folks by our music and our artwork.”

Thankfully, Duplantier was capable of finding important which means in “Ah! Ça Ira!.”

“It is in regards to the revolution,” he defined. “The unique music may be very, very bloody. The lyrics are actually, actually gory — we will go to the wealthy and hold them.”

He stated he managed to search out just a few sentences within the music that, whereas heavy and darkish, additionally carried a little bit of hope. He additionally needed to ensure to sing in French, Latin and English in order that the music would have a global enchantment.

“It seems we had some wiggle room to do our factor.”

Are Gojira Engaged on New Music?

With recent power coming off of their efficiency on a worldwide stage — and as they gear up for an enormous tour supporting Korn — Duplantier did say that Gojira are engaged on what is going to probably be the follow-up to 2021’s Fortitude.

“We’re resting for a bit and writing some music,” he shared. “This can be a nice alternative to shake off the rust and get again in motion.”

READ MORE: What Gojira’s Olympics Efficiency Means For Steel’s Future

When Chuck requested extra about new music, Duplantier was understandably hesitant to reveal an excessive amount of.

“It isn’t a secret, however…we’re in the midst of it,” he stated.

“It is laborious to inform folks what it is going to be, , and I additionally don’t desire folks to be stunned. However we’re working, we’re working, we’re attempting to ship one thing that’s significant and impactful. We’re very bold when it comes to writing songs. We wish to take a transparent step ahead and upward with this album, so we’re placing all our love and power on it.”

What Else Did Gojira’s Joe Duplantier Talk about on Loudwire Nights?

• Why he and the band have thrown their assist behind Captain Paul Watson: “I am completely in shock and outraged and I would love to ship a robust message to anyone who’s going to learn this or take heed to this…it is a image of one thing that is taking place on earth the place someone who’s attempting to do the precise factor and is doing the precise factor — he saved tens of hundreds of whales — is being put to jail when the international locations which are doing legal actions and unlawful whaling are nonetheless roaming free and killing whales.”
• Why he is okay opening for Korn, despite the fact that Gojira are getting extra used to headlining and co-headlining excursions: “We like to go on tour with our pals, the bands that impressed us within the first place. I imply, we come from demise steel, do not get me fallacious, however Korn was one thing within the image sooner or later. We have been listening intently to what they have been doing, being very ingenious and authentic.”
• Why he is extra involved about being a great dad and specializing in the fundamentals with Gojira than the rest: “I’ve my children, my spouse, I am attempting to be a dad and check out to not suck at it … In fact, I’ve devoted nearly 30 years at this level to this band, that is my life to play in Gojira and write songs and ship messages.”

Hearken to the Full Interview within the Podcast Participant Beneath

Joe Duplantier joined Loudwire Nights on Friday, Aug. 30; the present replays on-line right here, and you’ll tune in stay each weeknight at 7PM ET or on the Loudwire app; you can even see if the present is obtainable in your native radio station and take heed to interviews on-demand.