Once we heard ‘When I Fall’, the recent single from Berlin based Robert Laupert, a small signal of hope written in a difficult period in his life, and wrapped up in this country folk exterior, we knew we needed to take notice of what he had to say, and find a little more out about him and his L’aupaire project.
When I Fall swells and swoons, with gospel like backing vocals, sweeping guitar sighs and brushes of tambourine added to the simple strummed beginning, as the whole thing becomes bigger and more cinematic as is unravels. There’s a melancholy within it, but it somehow ends up being this feel good shot of positivity.
Check it out here, and then read our interview with Robert below.
Give us a potted history of L’aupaire
– I packed all my stuff (instruments, studio gear) and moved to Budapest in 2013. I came back half a year later with a hand full of songs to go on tour with a band and release my fist EP (Rollercoaster Girl EP) Since then I have released two records (Flowers + Reframing) and played as many live shows as I could (SXSW, Sziget, Melt, Dockville, etc) around the world.
Who inspired you to start making music?
– I fell in love with music in general as a small kid but my need to create and craft was enabled years later by the Blues (Robert Johnson, BB King, Muddy Waters) and artists in its musical neighbourhood (Neil Young, Tom Waits). 3 chords and the truth they say – totally fell for it.
And the one record that inspired you artistically?
– The most inspiring record I have ever listened to was the first Bon Iver record. It totally blew my mind and gave me a huge shift to what’s important in music. The emotion in the music really spoke for itself.
If you’re trying to explain who you sound like to someone that’s never heard you, what do you say?
– A hot summer night. You’re drunk but not too drunk. Just feeling at peace with the crazy ups and downs in life and then you enter a bar full of people that dance and laugh and invite you to join them. That’s how I want my music to sound like 🙂
Tell us about ‘When I Fall’?
– When I Fall was written a year ago. I came out of some dark and really challenging times. I guess I felt pretty much fearless and really inspired after that. Which lead to me in a room + writing one or two songs a day. I’m producing everything on my own and also mixing some of the stuff. I felt really ready for it for the first time in my life. It’s the first song we were releasing via Universal (Vertigo) Europe and Ireland, UK + rest of the world via ingrooves.
Where can we get hold of it?
– Only digitally at the moment via streaming devices etc. I’m confident the track will be on my next Album out in Spring 2022 😉
Tell us how you write?
– As I explained earlier, I’m doing a lot alone in my home-studio at the moment which I’m really enjoying but I also really like to collaborate and exchange creativity with other artists. I have feature songs coming up and I also like working on other projects. For the new record, my friend Petter Ericson (Alberta Cross) co-wrote two unreleased songs – we worked via remote sessions Berlin – London.
Tell us about your live shows? And how much have you been missing it recently?
– I had a two year break and I almost wasn’t sure if I really miss it cause it seemed really really far away from my life. But very recently we played some really great shows and it really made me realise how much I’ve missed it. It’s really a game changer. Music doesn’t exist without live shows. It’s also really important to bring the songs to life and develop them – take them on a journey with you. I hope for more great shows to come in the near future for all of us.
What can we expect from you in the near future?
– Release my third album in 2022. Play some great festivals and live shows this and next year alongside visiting and playing in more countries I haven’t been to yet.
10. Tell us your favourite records that are rocking your headphones?
– Novaa – She’s a Rose, Lucy Dacus – Home Video, Lord Huron – Long Lost, The Black Keys – Delta Kream, Middle Kids – Today we’re the greatest <- some of my fav records of the year so far.
