David Hermy: A French language singer/songwriter now living in Norwich

Monday 1st July 2002

DAVID HERMY spoke (in English) to Tony Cummings.

David Hermy
David Hermy

Tony: I saw you recently had a gig in Norwich. How does a singer/songwriter signed to a French record label end up living in Norwich?

David: Well, back in 1994, when I lived in France, I met an English girl named Catherine. She was studying French in Lille, my home town, and she was there for six months. We just happened to share the same house and that was it ! Then came the day when she had to go back to England for her last year at university in Norwich, and I decided to come back with her .

Tony: Give us a potted biog - how did you get into music?

David: I started to get into music when I was 12/13. Dire Straits, The Eagles, The Gypsy Kings, Francis Cabrel were my heroes at the time. Then I became a Christian at the age of 16/17, and I started to use music as a way to share my faith in God. I sang and played other people's songs at first but then I wanted to tell people what I had on my heart with my own words, so I started writing. It wasn't until I came to England that things got a bit more serious. I formed a band up here and we started by recording "a tape", then a year and a bit later a second album came along on CD, which signed us to a French record label. Since then, we've released another album in various French speaking countries, as well as playing at a few major festivals around France.

Tony: I've spoken to a couple of people who've bought your album and who don't speak a word of French. Does that surprise you?

David: No, not really... I think that if people like the music, why not buy it, even if you don't understand a word, as long as you know that the message in it isn't dodgy... Music is universal and the language it's sung in shouldn't be a barrier. I've had a few people saying to me that they could feel God's presence on one worship track, and they don't speak a word of French...

Tony: Any chance of an English language recording in the future?

David: I'm thinking about it! I like the idea of producing an album in French and in English. It would just be a matter of translating the songs. I've written a few English songs in the past but I find it much easier to write in my own language ...

Tony: On your latest album what is, in your opinion, the most significant song and what is it saying?

David: I really like the song "Comment?" which means 'How?' because to me it's one of the most accessible songs for a non-church goer. It's basically asking, "How could I share my faith with you in a way that would be relevant to you...? What kind of words will speak to your heart?" I think these days to reach out, as well as being spirit filled, you've got to be down to earth ... in other words, accessible. Music enables us to do that and that is really where my heart is... to reach out! CR

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.
About Tony Cummings
Tony CummingsTony Cummings is the music editor for Cross Rhythms website and attends Grace Church in Stoke-on-Trent.


 

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