Introducing... Loup Blaster

The second star of our new feature, Introducing... is up-and-coming VJ, animation director and composer Loup Blaster. Currently signed to Strange Beast, the Calais-based creative's work explores the relationship between visuals and sound in myriad ways - from live animation at concerts to directing music videos and painting murals.

Below, the French native talks to shots about bringing the craft of animation to new platforms, "fortunate encounters" with fellow creatives and how a good breakfast (with coffee, bien sûr) is the key to a productive day.

Tell us a bit about what you do…

My work takes very diverse forms so it's a bit tricky for me to describe what I do! First and foremost, I’m a 2D animation director. Most of my work explores the relationship between visuals and sound. I direct music videos and design artwork for musicians as well as performing visuals live, mixing them to music during concerts.

I also compose my own music and have started to sing on stage during my live performances with friends. On the side, I’m working on my first animated short film which is similar to a documentary - I've created a log of observation drawings on location. I also like to paint murals and make screen prints.

How did you get to where you are now?

Early on I knew I needed to experiment, explore and collaborate. I finished my studies at the age of 20 and decided to search for what would really excite me, my own way to express myself.

I wanted to show animation to a different audience using a format other than short films. So I started my visual project, BBBLASTER, performing live with two artists, Numérobé and Horace Blaster, who are also from Calais. Interesting collaborations and projects started to come along - I performed in music venues and animation festivals in Norway, France, the Czech Republic and Germany. That summer, Strange Beast started to represent me for commercial work. I’d say I am where I am now because of fortunate encounters and trusting my intuitions.

What’s the best thing about your job?

I love to collaborate, meet passionate people, and discover exciting music and places. Artists send me music before it's released, I get invited to residencies in theatres and I have opportunities to do workshops abroad. I’m building my show with my friends in France and it’s simply amazing to work with artists that I’m so passionate about like Actress, Clap Clap [below], Rocks FOE and Commodo. I’m often alone when I create but everything else is based on human relationships. Music is what really keeps me running.

What’s a typical working day like for you?

I always start with a good breakfast and read my emails whilst drinking coffee. Then it really depends on what I’ll focus on that day. I’m always jumping between a lot of different projects, I try to keep everything in mind and do a lot of “to do” lists. My schedule is always tight because I have gigs and often have to leave my city, but things always sign up very naturally. Since I’m working with different techniques, I try not to work on my computer all day.

How is your approach unique?

I think it’s the experimentation and blending of techniques and my desire to work in various different fields. From murals to stop motion, analogue photography to music composition etc…I’m flexible, adaptive and spontaneous. My work can’t be defined as one style but it makes sense as a whole. I always search to do things differently, to surprise myself. I can’t use one recipe for everything. I also like to leave space to improvise and I keep my mind open to new approaches.

What’s the one thing that you strive to do in your career?

I really hope to hold exhibitions. It’s a way of showing my production as a whole, to put into relation my films and their process, I think it makes sense. I feel like animation is not really considered as major “art”. even though it has a long history. I wish that contemporary animation was represented in museums and galleries. That is also why I perform live shows, to present [animation] on a different platform to the computer screen and the cinema.

I also want to keep collaborating with artists that I’m really excited about and get my own music released! I’m always a bit frustrated about not releasing my own stuff.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt so far in your career?

Everything comes on time. It’s important to avoid disappointment and frustration. Take things easy, always respect people, be honest, and trust them.

What do you do to stay inspired?

I jump on different projects. I vary media, techniques and approaches. I don’t hesitate to take breaks and do something else. I always have a lot of different projects lined up. My inspiration never dries up because there are just too many things to be excited about.

I’ll play the piano, compose a tune, paint a mural, do some photography, there’s just so much to explore, so much to see, so much to do. Music is a big source of inspiration, as is travelling: I dream of seeing Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Inspiration comes from everywhere.