Diem is an exciting French talent who rose to fame back in 2015 when she competed on the French version of The Voice. Now, after three years away she returns with her infectious new single ‘SAM’. The track does nothing short of tug at every single heart string. “SAM”, fittingly spelled in all caps, hits straight to the core with its passionate lyrics and roller coaster ride of a melody.
Here we speak exclusively to Diem to discuss her time on The Voice, new single, and future plans:
Can you tell us a little about what you’ve been up to since you left The Voice?
Being on The Voice with so many other amazing talents, this experience really fuelled me to do more great projects. So after I left The Voice, I continued working on my own EP. I created 5 songs (two of them, Here You Gun and SAM are already released) and imagined 5 music videos to them. The concept is a kind of musical investigation series, where all the episodes are the sequel to the previous one, and where the audience have to take part in the investigation by looking for all the clues disseminated throughout the videos. I play all the suspects and they all have their own Instagram account, and people can interact with them via their profiles, where they post additional clues. There are still 3 more episodes to go. So as you can understand, I love acting too. I was last year in a french show called Plus Belle La Vie, and then I went on a world tour with a play called “Saïgon” by Caroline Guiela Nguyen, 3 times nominated at the Molières Awards 2018. I will be in a movie called Belleville cop with Omar Sy and Luís Guzman, out in the theatres on October 17th.
What was your main goal when entering the show?
Actually to be honest, at first, I didn’t have any. Participating in the show was just a friends challenge. My best friends dared me to do it and I did it. But then I got caught in the game and I started to tell myself “Come on girl, let’s do it for real, this is not a joke!” And I went with it.
Was your experience on The Voice everything you hoped and expected it to be?
I didn’t expect anything from the show, because I always knew that if I were to be successful in my career, then it would only be by my own means. My experience on the show was just amazing, I enjoyed every second of it, and I had so much fun.
What advice would you give to anyone looking to enter the Voice?
I guess music is so subjective, and the experience of it is so different from one another that I don’t think I can claim to give any advice to anyone. I’m going to speak only for my vision. The most important for me, as to have fun, and take fully advantage of the moment.
After 3 years away from the show you’re back with your new single “SAM”, what inspired the track?
I wrote SAM when I was with someone who I feel deeply in love with. But our relationship was very toxic to me. The more I was aching, the more I loved him. The more I loved him, the more I was aching. SAM is the allegory for those who smashed our hearts. But it’s also the acronym for “Stay After Midnight”. I’m begging SAM to stay after midnight for after midnight, anything can happen (midnight being the metaphor for all those crucial moments that happen in our life). The song is the last cry of love towards all these SAMs. The last cry of love before reaching exhaustion, and mourning. It’s an autobiographical song, dedicated to all the SAMs who intoxicate us in the extremes of an irrational love. That can sometimes be unhealthy and destructive.
What do you hope fans take from the track?
I wrote “SAM” so that people could relate to it and embrace their pain. So to anyone who has experienced a tortured relationship, or to anyone who was dragged down by love, be honest to yourself and live your pain fully. Acknowledge it, embrace it. Let it resonate in you. Try to understand it. It is the only way you can grow from it and make it a strength. And then, move on!
Can we expect an album from you soon?
Rhetorical question, baby ;)
Do you have any touring plans in the pipeline?
I guess I have to finish my album first.
What are your long-term career goals?
I’d rather make music than make plans!
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