Exposed Vocals sits down with L’Ami Cotine for an Exclusive Interview

Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?

Me : I discovered Exposed Vocals by chance on the internet.

I found it interesting, so I tried it.

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

Me : I am French. I grew up in Rouen, a city in the north.

Since young, I’m surrounded by music. It became gradually a passion. I played several instruments before turning to electronic music there about two years. I do not know if I can call myself an artist. But I like to share my passion.

Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?

Me : I turned to electronic music through a friend with whom I formed a duo of DJs. We could not find a name. I say for fun L’Ami Cotine and as it was original, we took it. It is a word game with Nicotine. That’s it.

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

Me :  I think that today it is relatively easy to distribute music on the internet. But like everything, there are advantages and drawbacks.

This allows artists to know what is a good thing. Now it is very easy to download any that music, which is not necessarily good for artists.

I let my music free download because for me it’s still a business, a passion and it makes me happy. I do not know how I’ll do it later.

Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?

Me : I’m not about to have fully understood the question, sorry.

Otherwise, I do not really advice, except to have fun, because music is above all a source of happiness, not money!

Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?

Me: I do not do a lot of concerts for now, it will come with time.

Yes I have mistakes. It’s stressful, but we must remain calm. Errors are human. I think it is important, it gives an objective.

Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?

Me : Non pas encore. Plus tard j’espère. Franchement, je n’ai pas d’idée !

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?

Me : Sometimes I made with inspiration, again without! But I’m usually more productive at night and during travel.

Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?

Me : For now I do not have a website. I use mostly and a little YouTube SoundCloud to share my music. And communicate, I use Facebook and Twitter.

Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?

Me : I do not know! I do not put much on my mp3. After that, there are things worse than others of course, but I think there is good in everything.

Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?

Me : If I win half a million a year off. I will save, I take the opportunity to buy some equipment and travel. But also to help my friends, my family and associations.

Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?

Me : I did not “real studio”. I often made my room. Right now I’m working on some new music.

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

Me : To promote my music I publish on social networks, music groups, pages. I send to friends. I do not know, it depends on many things. But Internet allows high visibility.

Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?

Me :Ça pourrait être en Jamaïque avec Bob Marley, en France avec Serge Gainsbourg et plein d’autres. J’adore la musique. J’aime beaucoup de genres musicaux.

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

Me : Right now I’m working on some music. And I would release an EP in the coming months.

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

Me : I like art in general. But I do not see myself in something else. I like sports, painting ..

Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?

Me : The first album I bought was a Beatles album and I still listen to today. I think it is important to buy albums.

Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?

Me : Il faut garder la tête sur les épaules. Savoir faire la part des choses.

Pour l’instant, la musique est au second plan, car je fais des études de médecine. Il faut savoir s’organiser.

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2015?

Me : This year I’ll get some productions and why not do some shows. For my EP, I do not know yet may be 2016, we’ll see.