Sunday March the 2nd 2008, 1am, rainy night, I just landed at CDG and I have an appointment in some 80’s revival nightclub in Paris for an exclusive interview with PINK COMPUTER for the release of his album « So 80’s ».

Hi there, I’m Gladys Newton for the Daily 80…

Nice to meet you, I’m Pink Computer, but you can call me by my first name Cyril.

Nice meeting you Cyril, could you introduce yourself in a few words ?

Well, my name is Cyril GRANET, 34, I’m French and was born in Périgueux. I’d rather be born in Minneapolisbut well…Périgueux is famous for its cuisine…(smiles)

I’ve spent my flight to Paris listening to your album and I can tell you definitely like funk music, am I right ?

Indeed ! There’s a big dose of funk music, but some pop-rock as well in the writing. The closing track (“Ilham”) is a typical pop-rock ballad. But I’m hugely influenced by the 80’s production wise, my goal was to get back a second time into this decade throughout the album.

Oh I see, you must be very nostalgic ?

In some way I am… But you know that old saying: “it was better before”! The album is entitled « So 80’s », which I obviously dedicate to all 80’s nostalgics out there ! I’ve tried to produce it exactly like it used to be done way back then, I’m aware the 80’s revival trend has been going on for some time now, but I’ve never heard again this particular sound they used to have in the 80’s, which I modestly tried to re-create in the album.

Where’s your moniker from ? PinkComputer ?

The album tells the story of my grandfather Jonathan Ashley aka PinkComputer back in the 1980’s. The album is some sort of tribute to his soul.

Can you tell us about your musical background ?

I started the piano at 5, but classical music was a bit too close-minded in my opinion and my piano teacher used to guide my hands pretending I was playing Chopin, but it was her playing, what a joke ! It is thanks to my mother that I kept making music and my dad bought me a couple of electronic keyboards that I found more attractive than the acoustic piano although I got back to it some years later. Then I discovered jazz-rock fusion bands such as the Chick Corea Elektric Band or Uzeb, although their music was based mostly on technical skills. But my biggest discovery was Prince in 1989 with the album “Diamonds & Pearls”. This is how I got into funk music. Then I settled down in Paris and started to play with westcoast, acid-jazz and funk bands. I’m very rythmical in my keyboard playing and I like to play the keyboard just like a guitar hero would chorus on his Stratocaster ! The only difference is that I don’t go break my keyboard after a gig ! (smiles).

Why 4 different singers on the album ?

Mostly because there are songs sung in english, and some sung in french. It is Gaël Benyamin (aka Geyster) who performed the ones in english, except one which is performed by Indi.L. The songs in french are performed by Christophe Amblard and myself, although I dont usually sing, I much prefer to compose, write and arrange. But in the end it gives different flavours throughout the album and that’s a good thing…

Your album is published by Somekind Records, how did you get in touch with this label ?

In 2004 I met Gaël Benyamin, lead singer of the band Geyster, they were seeking for a keyboard player and I got the job. Meanwhile Gaël had founded his own label Somekind Records, he liked my project and offered me a signature on his label. I have to say that without him I don’t think I’d had finished my album.

Well it’s been a pleasure to meet you Mister Pink, thank you so much for your time !

My pleasure Gladys, and by the way, pink would fit you so well….

Gladys blushed …