Blue Work, a collaboration between the interdisciplinary artists Hortensia and Vee, is active between Paris and London. The two promote a distinct sound that blurs the lines between trip-hop, retrowave, and alt-pop by layering warm, entrancing vocals over kaleidoscopic electronica.
The duo’s lyrics, which explore themes of struggle and personal development, are also heavily influenced by their background in visual art, making the project more than just a musical endeavor but rather a comprehensive form of genuine artistic expression.
Since their 2020 debut, the group has gained a devoted following and amassed over 200k streams on Spotify alone. The astute listener will recognize the duo’s classic style as they effortlessly navigate rich electronica. The band’s most recent single is called “End of the Ride.” Check out the song and the exclusive interview below:
1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?
BLUE WORK: we met in London,but both come from different locations of Europe – France and North East Europe, the Baltic country. we both had interest in music,so met each other through music ad.
2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?
BLUE WORK: well, i had piano lessons, but just for one year, i was interest in synth and programming, so it’s like self training.
3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘BLUE WORK’?
BLUE WORK: post punk, house music. the name Blue Work we found just before released first our single. we chatting couple of hours and found the right name, I hope.
4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
BLUE WORK: actually difficult to say. we try to make songs with melodies, rhythm and nice voice
5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as INDIE?
BLUE WORK:
we trying to be originally, but now so many bands so it’s difficult to be very originally. of course inspiration we get from other artists, just accidentally see new brilliant song and video – that’s immediately became our inspiration we trying to be originally, but now so many bands so it’s difficult to be very originally. of course inspiration we get from other artists.
6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?
BLUE WORK:
Mostly it’s all about expression, sound, technologies.
7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?
BLUE WORK:
What we know exactly, and what we want is to do good songs, and we want to perform well. So this is very important for us.
8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?
BLUE WORK:
The proces is interesting thing. Usually I’m making rough ideas of melody and sound, then sending it to Hortense, she add lyric and new vocal melody. after that are following long process of polishing song.
9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
BLUE WORK:
We was ready to do gigs, but suddenly the pandemic was on our way, so we had to cancel idea about concerts.
10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
BLUE WORK:
I think if you working hard, sooner or later greater or lesser return comes.
11. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?
BLUE WORK: I think if 10 people from 10 will say your song it’s crap, sure then we will pay attention immediately. but we always seeing ”likes” and ”dislikes” so it’s cool. of course to see ”likes” getting more positives feeling than ”dislikes”.
12. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?
BLUE WORK: More exciting is live performance. but sitting at home and making music we like too, it’s no stress ,cup of coffee and computer screen!
13. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?
BLUE WORK: I think it’s belong on each listener individually. But actually every song have own story.
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