TAOH - For A Better Tomorrow... (France - Post-Punk - Interview with Miguel).
- Hello ! Can you introduce yourselves and tell us how it all started for you — how you discovered this musical universe, what attracted you to it, what fascinated you, and what made you want to make music?
Hello, we are TAOH (which is short for "The Act Of Humanity"). We are a post-punk band from the city of Mulhouse.
We are a trio consisting of Jean Marc Monnier on drums, Manu Baum on bass and Miguel Canton on guitar and vocals.
We are strongly drawn to the East Coast punk scene. That was a catalyst for us. We found sounds there that spoke to us in a real, visceral way. That raw energy, that commitment, that refusal to compromise... It wasn't just music, it was a way of life, a way of thinking. It was a slap in the face, a sonic explosion, raw emotion.
Quite naturally, that's what made us want to make music, that need that is still ever-present today to channel something indefinable. A rage, a lucidity, a feeling of being on the sidelines and trying to transform it into something beautiful, or at least sincere. The DIY scene, rehearsing in our basement, the first sweaty performances on stage... all of that shaped us. Today, making music is still about that: saying what we can't put into words, and shouting it out if we have to.
- Tell me about the band... How did you meet—the current lineup—past experiences—and above all—WHY did you feel the need to form THIS band?
We've always been a trio. The lineup has never changed. We met in the late 90s at a Fugazi concert. We already knew each other, and that concert brought us closer together, so to speak. I think it's fair to say that we realized pretty quickly that we had the same sensibilities. That allowed us to move in the same direction from the start. The band lasted for a while, but we took two breaks of a few years. We've been back together for about ten years now.
- Describe your sound and explain why I should listen to YOUR band at all costs?
I would say that our sound is a kind of collision between the raw intensity found in post-hardcore and a musical landscape where the bass and guitar rhythms bring out a sense of depth. There's a dark atmosphere to it. The melodies are sometimes edgy and abrasive, the rhythms are sometimes hammering, sometimes hypnotic. The vocals are rough but carried by emotion.
Why should people listen to our band at all costs? Intrinsically, there's no reason to listen to our band at all costs, unless you're looking for something that doesn't cheat, with a dose of adrenaline and authenticity, I'd say.
- What are your lyrical and musical inspirations/influences? How important are lyrics to you? Are there any specific messages or thoughts that you try to develop and share through your lyrics?
It's obvious that we draw inspiration from a little bit of everything. Our ears tend to wander, which inevitably finds its way into our music. As for the lyrics, I'd say I write them as if I'm shouting into the void or scribbling on a wall. Sometimes they're direct, sometimes abstract, but always in tune with how I feel about what I'm experiencing, what I perceive, and what I reject. I can't say that there's a particular theme that emerges, but one thing is certain: writing and setting it to music is an obvious form of catharsis for me. But I think that's true of all art forms.
- What about your latest release ?
There hasn't been an album recorded as such to date. However, two years ago we recorded three tracks on a short EP called “Red Visions on Broken Hands.” The cover art is a photo taken by Manu that we thought fit well with our environment. It's not available in physical format, but you can listen to it on Bandcamp and all the usual streaming platforms such as Deezer, Spotify, etc. The fact that we don't have any physical releases often earns us gentle criticism at our concerts. I think we must be one of the only bands without any merchandise (lol) (Another FUGAZI influence ;-) ? Ed.)
- What are your plans for the future?
We have several, actually. First of all, we're thinking about recording an album. We've been working on it for a while now. We also plan to get a little more organized in terms of promotion, working with people on video, communication, etc.
- What is your wildest dream for the band?
To be completely honest, I don't know how to answer that. We can't say that we're driven by ambition because we're often stuck in our basement and don't play live very often. But why not consider touring in unusual venues, off the beaten track? Playing in an industrial wasteland, a squat, a disused chapel... Places that are full of history, alive, raw... ... Finding ourselves playing in front of people who are ready to feel, to lose themselves, to scream with us.
- Your BEST & WORST concert—as a band—and why?
I don't think we can really talk about a worst concert, even though we've played in front of two or three people before. But I guess that's something all bands have to go through sometimes. On the other hand, when it comes to the best concerts, I'd say there have been more of those. We have very good memories, beautiful images, and very good experiences because there was always a connection between the audience and us. We've almost always felt that connection during the concerts we've given. The fact that these concerts have always left us with good memories is also and above all because of all the people we've met, whether they were other bands, technicians, organizers, or even the audience. The feedback has often been flattering for us.
- Any upcoming shows?
We don't have any dates planned at the moment. We're still working on our album project for now. But if an opportunity were to arise...
- A few words about your local scene—bands you're friends with and would like to mention?
There are a few. Mulhouse has always been a breeding ground in that sense. But it's true that locally we really enjoy seeing, seeing again, or sharing the stage with bands such as Fragile Figures, Kamarad, and Terne (who, to our great regret, no longer exist).
I'd also like to mention the band Trunks in particular, for whom we had the chance to open at a concert at the Grillen in Colmar. We met some wonderful people who gave us an unforgettable experience. We hadn't discovered their world because we already knew it, but I was able to discover each of their individual projects. I'm talking about We Only Said, No&rd, Régis Boulard's project with his partner Olivier Mellano, and Laetitia Sheriff's various projects, among others. I'd also like to give a shout-out to The Third Sound, a band we've played with twice and where we met some great people... I'm sure I'm forgetting someone.
- Last word is yours...
Well, on behalf of TAOH, I'd like to thank you for your kindness in giving us the opportunity to introduce ourselves to your readers (and hopefully to their ears as well). Thank you to them for reading. Why not continue to meet new people, share projects, ideas, points of view, etc.?
And finally, I'd like to add a very emotional thought for our friend Skalpa, who was the stage manager at the Noumatrouff in Mulhouse and with whom we shared so much.
More Interviews
