Exclusive Interview with CODY PEPPER

Pauline Janier, a French singer and songwriter living in London, debuts as a solo artist with “Make A Wish” and introduces her new stage name, Cody Pepper.

The track, which Basile Lacroix-Boettcher, a friend from the neighborhood, produced, is a jazz-infused edgy club anthem that is reminiscent of artists like Boy Harsher or PVA. She came up with these vocals after watching Gaspard Noé’s Climax during a particularly hot summer day in my 40° Fahrenheit London apartment. It was a hit with Basile, who accompanied her on her travels and added Marius on trombone to make it even crazier. The artwork was created by longtime friend and collaborator SOLD OUT, who is also well-known for her recent partnerships with Gramm, a clothing company, or for creating the Blu Samu logo.

The Pepper project was born out of a confluence of events. Years ago, when Pauline was still a senior in high school, she adopted the online alias Cody Pepper, a stage name she’d invented while dining with SOLDOUT one summer evening. Since Cody can change, it is neither masculine nor feminine, according to Cody. In the beginning of this year, SOLDOUT introduced Pauline to Basile, who had just released his debut album Heterogeneous Ex Nihilo DNA and was seeking to work with more musicians. “I came up with this not thinking I would ever use it, it was just for fun,” Basile had said. It clicked, and the two continued writing songs together without boundaries remotely from London to Besançon, France, as if they had known each other for years. The band Zebrah, of which Cody is also the lead singer and flutist, will perform in London in the upcoming months. Check out the song “Make a Wish” and the exclusive interview below:

1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?

CODY PEPPER: Hiya! I’m from a French city near Switzerland called Besançon and everything started right there. It’s quite an artsy city where underground music and painting are quite a thing. You’ve got the big festival Les Eurockeennes near by!

I was still in high school when everything started. Me and my friend Soldout (@ladysoldout) who also did the artwork for my single were having dinner trying to figure out our stage names for the future and that’s how “cody pepper” came about.

2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?

CODY PEPPER: I had classical flute training but the vocals and the guitar is all self-taught. Basile Lacroix-Boettcher who produced the single and what’s to come also had classical training at the Conservatoire of Besançon.

3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘CODY PEPPER’?

CODY PEPPER: My strongest musical influences atm are Boy Harsher and Wolf Alice, I’m obsessed.

I love Cody because it’s neither a masculine or feminine name, it could take any form while pepper, the true story is there was salt and pepper on the table and this came up randomly. Glad it did though!

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?

CODY PEPPER: My music is a big jam, I feel like this project specifically displays the chaos inside me – I’m mad and I’m happy, I’m sweet, kind but also not so much sometimes ; there’s darkness but also lightness into the sound. Doesn’t everyone feel that way a little? A big ensemble of emotions opposing each other? Not sure what people feel listening to my music tbh.

5. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?

CODY PEPPER:

I love both! There’s such excitement in a live performance, the sound on stage and the sharing with people is quite amazing while the studio is more intimist, you find yourself looking for the best note to describe what you feel at that moment – both are very different and fantastic in their own way I think.

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?

CODY PEPPER:

While I’m very interested in the political, cultural landscape, I’m not sure I address this in my debut “Make A Wish”. Might differ with my other songs…

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?

CODY PEPPER:

I’ve been working on my craft seriously since I moved to London 6 years and I gotta say it’s the first time I’m releasing music where I feel like it’s me. Also working hard with my band Zebrah atm and we’re very proud of our new songs too. I think it takes time to find your sound. It’s been a very fun journey and I would love to take it as far as what’s possible really!

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?

CODY PEPPER:

The Pepper project was extra spontaneous. Basile came up to me because he needed some flute on one of his tunes and we ended up doing way more than that. He generally sends me something and I start jamming around – it’s super fun! We also work very fast, bouncing the project back and forth constantly!

9. 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?

CODY PEPPER: I love Instagram! I’m too small to get criticism or haters so enjoying the social media journey so far. I think the creative content on Instagram is so cool!

10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?

CODY PEPPER: I made it to BBC Radio last week – “Make A Wish” was played by Jess Iszatt on BBC London Introducing – huge! My first BBC radio play. This is definitely the highlight of my music carreer so far.

11. 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?

CODY PEPPER: I prefer the second option. : )