PRESS

Where’s home?

A little village in the south of France, at the gates of the Cévennes mountains.

Earliest prog memory?

Me at 10 years old, listening to The Beatles’ A Day In The Life on my first Walkman. That song has all the attributes of prog – it takes you somewhere else.

First prog album you bought?

Either Genesis’ Abacab or 90125 by Yes. Or maybe both together – I can’t remember!

And the last?

Marillion’s Clutching At Straws, again, because I lost my copy. It’s one of my favourite albums – Fish’s voice is part of my life.

First prog gig?

Genesis in Toulouse, in 1987. I’d just got my driver’s licence and drove 600 kilometres with my girlfriend and brother [Lazuli member] Claude to see them. A great adventure.

And the latest?

In March 2020 we opened for Saga in Saarbrüken, Germany, and enjoyed their show after playing. Claude and I listened to them a lot when we were young, and being their guests was absolutely incredible.

The best prog gig you ever saw?

Peter Gabriel’s Paris show on his Secret World Tour [1993] made an indelible impression on me. The music, the man and the show – magnificent.

Your newest prog discovery?

The Pineapple Thief has been a nice, if late, discovery. My wife’s more inquisitive than me, and she turned me on to them.

For those about to rock, Dominique salutes you!

TIM MOSENFELDER/WIREIMAGE/GETTY IMAGES PRESS

Guilty musical pleasure?

No guilt, I consume everything.

I love my old AC/DC records.

Favourite prog venue?

We have a special affection for Colos-Saal in Aschaffenburg, which gave us our first chance in Germany 16 years ago. And Night Of The Prog Festival on the magnificent site of Loreley too. Anyone who has played or seen concerts on that bank of the Rhine will understand…

“In a parallel universe I would have liked a date with Kate Bush.”

Your prog hero?

Just one?! I have my ‘Fantastic Four’: David Gilmour, Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins and Paul McCartney.

Ever had a prog-related date?

I have been married forever, to the most fantastic girl in the world, but in a parallel universe I would have liked a date with Kate Bush.

Who do you call in the prog community for a good night out?

With no hesitation – Nellie Pitts, the manager of The Booking Office and The Merch Desk. Just her laugh is enough to light up the darkness of the night.

What’s the most important piece of prog music? Rainbow’s Stargazer. Can we consider it a prog song? I think so!

Can you recommend us a good proggy read?

Mangez-le Si Vous Voulez [Eat Him If You Like], by Jean Teulé. During the war of 1870 a young aristocrat is tortured, put to death and eaten by the inhabitants of a village. The story of this little-known French historical fact is raw and disturbing.

Prog muso you’d most like to work with?

Let’s go crazy and say Peter Gabriel. He’s never heard of me, but let me dream!

Which prog album gets you in a good mood?

Crime Of The Century by Supertramp reminds me of my adolescence, my 1980s and my first visit to England with my college class.

Favourite prog album cover?

Duke by Genesis. It is sober, naïve, poetic and awakens my inner child’s soul.

What are you up to at the moment?

We played concerts in June and July, and will hit the road again soon [with seven UK dates due in October], and Claude and I are in our studio and making progress on our next album.

See www.lazuli-music.com for tour dates and more information.