Richard BodinWhen I discovered Syd Matters twenty years ago following the good advice of a friend, I automatically took a liking to him. My friend told me: « think Robert Wyatt, Nick Drake, and Grandaddy… His name is Syd Matters ». As a Pink Floyd fan, he knew he would get my attention with the name alone. His universe was quite fantastic, balancing between nostalgia and reverie. To this day, Syd Matters holds a dear place to me. It brings me back to my twenties in Paris, and my first attempt at running a webzine. Jonathan Morali —the artist behind the moniker— was the first I ever interviewed.
Even though the last album, Brotherocean dates back to 2010, he has never stopped producing good music. He went on to produce soundtrack for at least 10 movies, and for the famous video game “Life Is Strange” for which he won multiple awards. But lo and behold, after a hiatus of almost fifteen years, Syd Matters made a quick come-back last year, on french radio. The band performed a couple songs from their repertoire… and a new one.
Since then, Syd Matters has remained quiet, but their social media account were showing increasing signs of life, hinting that something was happening. Until last month, when the band announced a new concert date in one of the most famous venues in Paris: L’Olympia.
Curious to understand what led to this return, and what lies ahead for Syd Matters, we reached out to Jonathan Morali. In this conversation, he reflects on revisiting the project after fifteen years, the legacy of Life Is Strange, his relationship with film and video game music, and the quiet excitement of continuing a story that had been left open.
The Return of Syd Matters
You just announced a concert for next year in L’Olympia de Paris. Are you excited?
Yes. I never thought I’d play in that mythical venue again. It was our booking agent who suggested it when the idea of bringing Syd Matters back for some shows came up. I didn’t think it would be possible. I’m both happy and stressed at the prospect…
Last year you introduced a new song —”Holy Ghost”— on France Culture, now this new show…You have also been very busy lately on social… Does it mean a new album is about to come?
It was time for us to get back together and bring Syd Matters back to life. The future looks exciting, but I can’t say more for now (he smiles).
What does it feel like to return with new material for Syd Matters after 15 years?
It’s like picking up a story right where it left off. It’s very special, a bit strange, but it makes sense. It feels so good to be together again.
Are you still working with the same people from Third Side Records, JM Tixier, etc.?
Yes, almost everyone around Syd Matters is the same. I couldn’t imagine restarting the project any other way.
Music for Images
What happened with Syd Matters after Brotherocean? Did you want to explore something else, or was it simply life moving on?
Several reasons pushed us to put the project aside after Brotherocean. We had spent ten years together, and we needed something new — both in our careers and our personal lives. We needed to explore new horizons.
You’ve still been very busy these past 15 years… Many film scores (about ten) and video game soundtracks… What drew you toward that path?
I couldn’t stand my voice anymore! I wanted to learn to write instrumental music, to compose without singing. I’ve always listened to a lot of it, so I grabbed the opportunities I had to do music for images. And the idea of staying in the shadows, without having to put myself out there or embody my music the way I had to with Syd Matters — that suited my rather introverted nature much better.
Twenty years ago, I asked you what kind of films you liked, and you told me you weren’t really a cinephile… Has that changed with this new type of work?
I really enjoy the craft of it — seeing the different stages of a film being made. I’ve always looked for immersion in artistic disciplines, whether music, literature, or cinema. Cinema has always been harder for me to access. I too often felt like an outsider to what was on screen. Paradoxically, composing for films, seeing the other side of the process, has helped me appreciate this art form and understand it better.
You won awards for the Life Is Strange soundtrack. How did that feel?
Working on a video game was a dream for me — I’ve always loved them. It remains one of my best experiences. Knowing that players enjoyed the music of Life Is Strange really warms my heart.
New Audiences, New Paths
Life Is Strange brought a new audience into the world of Syd Matters. One of our team members actually discovered the band through the game — it was a revelation. Do a lot of people talk to you about it?
Yes, it’s incredible how many messages I receive every day from people who discovered Syd Matters through Life Is Strange. A whole new audience — very large, and often very young — discovered our songs. I still have trouble believing it. And again, the fact that it’s because of a video game gives it a special resonance for me. It’s as if the young boy I once was is meeting the musician I’ve become.
Have you toured internationally since then and met this new audience?
Not yet, but it’s clearly our goal now.
Is the creative process for a film or video game score different from working with Syd Matters?
Yes, very different. When I work on a soundtrack, my goal is to serve the film as best I can, and for that you have to open yourself to the director’s vision. No prejudices, be flexible… the complete opposite of working within Syd Matters, where there can be no compromises (laughs).
Twenty years ago, you told me how much you valued the freedom of home studios and self-production. Today, it’s stronger than ever: countless new artists emerge on Spotify and other streaming platforms. Yet it seems they have to release new tracks more frequently, one by one, to stay visible with all these algorithms… Are you satisfied with this evolution?
I’m torn… The democratization of music production tools is wonderful, but I find it very difficult for young artists to have to handle absolutely everything: music production, visuals, social media, budgets, contracts, etc. Understanding the algorithms, submitting to them… I wouldn’t be able to do all that.
You were recently in Cork… Was it for work or pleasure? How was it? A concert in Ireland soon?
I hope to come play in Ireland, yes. I fell in love with the country and its people.
The soundtrack of your life
A few months ago, we covered Wreckquiem. It is a theatre play set in Limerick, in a record shop under threat from “progress,” with a developer who wants to replace the whole neighbourhood with a shopping centre. We asked the entire cast the same questions, and then everyone on our team played the same game as well… I thought it might amuse you too:
What’s the first song you remember hearing on the radio?
“Losing My Religion” by R.E.M.! A shock for me.
Your first album (first you chose yourself)?
A compilation of famous themes played on synths… it was called Synthétiseur 4!
Your first concert?
First concert I chose myself: Foo Fighters at the Bataclan in Paris. They had just released their first album.
And since Life Is Strange made such an impact: your first video game?
The first one that marked me was Zelda II. What a memory. It was entirely in English — I understood one word out of four — and the mysterious atmosphere haunted me.
