WORDS TALLULAH SYRON - SPECIAL THANKS LUCID PUBLICITY
Discussing their visual and sonic influences, their creative process and what’s next for them we sat down with visionary neo-psychedelic French act La Femme delving into the release of their highly anticipated new album Rock Machine - for the first time written entirely in English.
Since their formation over a decade ago, La Femme have racked up a hugely impressive catalogue, inspired by a range of genres and sonics from new wave and rock to electro and punk. With over 1.5M monthly listeners on Spotify and totalling well over 430M streams across their entire catalogue the release of Rock Machine is a refreshing and captivating insight into how the band see how the world.
Reminding us that it’s okay to feel lost, loud, and alive - La Femme embrace the mess that life can bring as they continue to solidify themselves as one of the most exciting and impactful acts to surface over the last 10 years.
Tallulah Syron: Your latest album “Rock Machine” has such a blend of genres throughout. Is combining genres something that just comes naturally to you all?
La Femme: Yeah, I think it’s just part of how we operate. We’ve never been interested in staying locked into one sound or vibe. For us, combining genres is like mixing colours on a palette – it’s instinctive. We like to experiment, let things blend without overanalysing, and see where the music wants to go. Rock, punk, cold wave, surf – it’s all part of our DNA, and the fun is in finding ways to twist those sounds into something unexpected.
TS: What do you hope people take most from the album?
LF: That it’s okay to feel lost, loud, or alive. Rock Machine is about embracing the mess. There’s no clean narrative or message – it’s just energy in all its forms. If someone listens and feels something, anything – whether they want to dance, cry, riot, or disappear for a bit – then we did our job. We’re not here to tell people what to feel; we’re here to shake things up.
TS: You’ve written albums in Spanish, Hawaiian, and now English, which is so impressive – when creating music, does the process feel different when conveying stories not in your native language?
LF: For sure. Every language has its own rhythm, so writing in them puts us in different headspaces. Spanish has this heat, this passion – it makes things feel more intense. Hawaiian was chill and soft, like floating. English is a bit sharper, easier to be sarcastic or playful. And French... well, it’s like home but also heavy. Switching languages keeps us from getting bored. It’s less about telling the “right” story and more about chasing a feeling – whatever words get us there; we go with them.
TS: What is your usual process of creation?
LF: There is no "usual." It’s messy, and we like it that way. Sometimes it starts with a bass line at 2 a.m., other times it’s just someone humming a melody into their phone. We could spend a whole day chasing one synth sound or throw everything in a room and tear it apart. There’s no structure – it’s all instinct and accidents. The goal is to get lost, and hopefully, somewhere in the chaos, a song appears. The music usually come first, then we imagine lyrics with the sound.
TS: Which track on “Rock Machine” do you feel most connected to and why?
LF: That’s a tough one, but I’d say Venus, Sweet Babe, Clover Paradise, I Believe in Rock n Roll, Waiting in the Dark, Ciao Paris, Amazing and Love is Over really hit close. They capture the 20th century rock and pop we love, they just feel good for the heart.
TS: Which track or tracks are you most looking forward to performing?
LF: Rock Machine was made for the stage, so we’re excited about all of them. But if I had to pick, I think My Generation will be wild live. It’s got that punchy energy that’s going to hit different with a crowd. Sweet Babe has this hypnotic feel that we can really stretch out in a live setting.
TS: What is on your rider when performing live?
LF: We try to keep it practical but fun; a good bottle of wine – something to sip before and after the show. Snacks to keep the energy up, like fruit, nuts, or chocolate. Lots of water, staying hydrated is key! We always ask big jar of water with cups, we try to not waste little plastic bottles, we also love when there is absinthe! Once we’re a huge band we will ask for oysters, a massage chair, a bed, and a real piano in the dressing room!
TS: Do you have any pre-show rituals as a band?
LF: No rituals, no rules. Sometimes we sit in silence, other times we blast music and scream at each other just to get hyped. It depends on the mood and the night. If the energy’s weird, we’ll huddle up and vibe check each other – quick eye contact, maybe a shot, then straight into the fire.
TS: What were your biggest inspirations whilst creating the album?
LF: We pulled from everywhere. Musically, bands like Suicide, The Stooges, and The Velvet Underground were in the mix, as well as some '60s psych and '80s cold wave, rockabilly, and ska stuff. It’s not just music – films, books, and weird conversations along the way have all left their mark. The energy of big cities and long nights on the road seeped into the writing too. It’s a collage of everything we were experiencing at the time – the good, the bad, and the surreal.
TS: Your visuals always feel extremely authentic. Is the visual aspect of a release something that’s important
to you?
LF: Absolutely. For us, the visuals are as important as the music. They set the tone and help tell the story in a different way. We see every album as a universe, and the artwork, videos, and stage design are all part of building that world. It’s like inviting people into our heads – it’s not just about what you hear, but what you see and feel too.
TS: What visually inspires you most?
LF: Old films, grainy photography, weird fashion from decades that don’t make sense anymore. We love things that feel out of time – retro-futuristic, nostalgic but strange. A lot of inspiration comes from places that feel like they shouldn’t exist; underground clubs, empty motels, places where the air feels heavy with stories. We try to capture that vibe in everything we do.
TS: What are your plans for 2025?
LF: Touring is definitely a big part of it – we want to take Rock Machine as far and wide as we can, beyond that, we’re always working on new ideas, so you can expect more music. We might experiment with new sounds or dive deeper into visuals. The goal is to keep evolving and surprising ourselves along the way.
TS: One question we ask everyone. What is your favourite "F" word and why?
LF: "Freak"; It’s a badge of honour. Being a freak means you’re not afraid to stand out, to do your thing even if people don’t get it. Freaks push things forward – they make life interesting and we’re proud to be part of that tradition. Also fuck it's good, funny and silly word.
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