English songwriter, composer and performer Dave Gahan is the singer, crooner and frontman of the group Depeche Mode, formed in 1980. For a long time, he sang the titles of another, Martin Gore, before taking up writing. In 2003, in addition to the group, he embarked on a solo career, with his album Paper monsters. On November 12, he released Impose, a delicious cover album with lyrics by Neil Young, PJ Harvey, Bob Dylan and Mark Lanegan.
franceinfo: Did you have some apprehension before performing the songs because they were all immortalized by legends?
Dave Gahan: Yes. I actually feel and respect the other singers. I respect what they gave to the song and to myself, as an artist and singer. When I sing the songs, I want to honor them and honor that.
I was bowled over by some titles like Smile, for example, by Charlie Chaplin, which is part of the soundtrack of the film Modern times. It is no coincidence, moreover, that it was interpreted and recorded almost live. Is it hard to let go?
For this album, for all the songs, you really had to capture a performance. So we didn’t spend more than a day per song. I did a lot of preparation before I got into the studio for months, I really threw myself into the songs and sang them every day in my own studio like I was on stage. Once I started to forget the original song and found my own way in the song, I came to the Shangri-La, I was ready to sing. Charlie Chaplin’s song “Smile” was done in one, two or three takes. It’s an amazing song, the perfect song.
You made this album with 12 songs like 12 tableaux with this side “Mona Lisa”. We have the impression that you are looking at us.
In the same way as her! We recorded this record two years ago now, before the pandemic and the Covid-19. We were ten musicians, together in the studio, trying to capture the performances. It’s a very human experience but it’s true that I had the feeling that these songs had been whispered in my ear.
On the title Always on my mind, there’s a big nod to Elvis Presley. It’s funny because, ultimately, that’s how you will start when you are a little boy. Your aunts are coming to the house and to get their attention and that of your mom you are going to sing Elvis Presley. Is it a nod to your childhood, to your history too?
From a young age, I realized that becoming someone else attracted attention. Maybe it helped me. We lived in a small street with small houses that were very close to each other. They weren’t my real aunts, but our neighbors. We called everyone “tata”. As soon as the music came, I would start singing and imitating the singers. Everyone was applauding.
With Depeche Mode you sang Enjoy the silence. Vou were therefore looking for silence, but you realize that music will always be a part of your life, no matter what. Music saved you?
Absoutely. Music and cinema, but music created a life for me. I don’t know if it saved my life, but it created a life for me. A life that I love to live.