Doomed Confessionary: Caro, Bill, Alex & Valentin (Saguaro)
Photo credit: Kevin le Corre
Saguaro is a stoner/blues rock band from Quimper in the northwestern France. Formed in the summer of 2021, the band consists of Caroline Moisan on vocals, Alexandre Houmad on bass, Valentin Rousseau on drums and Bill Carson on guitar. Saguaro’s self-titled debut EP was released on September 28th, 2024.
Saguaro takes its name from the well-known cactus of the American West, and its inspiration from the worlds of Rock and Stoner to shape a sound that is unique to it.
The result is compositions combining melodic and energetic riffs, heavy rhythms, guitar solos imbued with blues and 70’s rock. The whole is carried by a warm and magnetic song tinged with soul.
From this diversity is born an authentic music that takes you to where the sun is setting and delivers its last orange-red rays, giving way to a bluish night, in a distant desert, only populated by cacti, the Saguaro.
Can you say a few words about your band?
Saguaro is heavily influenced by 68-78 rock culture, 90s stoner and blues. That’s where we come from, and we love the culture of the killer riff and music that can be loudly listened to.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
We don’t reinvent music, but we always try, when we write our songs, to create diversity, to make changes, to be a little original and even surprising, while maintaining coherence.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Getting people moving with our music! When you send out a riff and people scream, dance, shake their heads and sing along, it’s the best feeling.
What was your biggest regret?
No regrets, no remorse, just confidence and music!
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Saguaro’s first concert. That’s when you reveal yourself and see whether all the hard work of composing and rehearsing over the months is appreciated or not.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Alex: For me the biggest musical surprise of recent years are King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard, the most prolific and dynamic band of our time, 25 albums released since 2012, 5 in 2017 alone.
A band with multiple colors that can go from psych jam to heavy metal. (Alex is a record dealer. Sounds like it, right ?)
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Bill: King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard, All Them Witches, Komodor, Glass Beams…
Caro : Blues Pills, Madam, Valley Of The Sun, The Devil And The Almighty Blues, Khruangbin…
Alex : Slomosa, All Them Witches, Goat, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, Black Angels…
Photo credit: NJB Photographie
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Bill: Step back from your music, listen to yourself and others.
Caro: When you’re singing, the more you let go, the more it comes through!
What are your guilty pleasures?
Bill: Drop D tuning and turning up the volume.
Caro: A freshly tapped pint just after you finished your gig.
Can you say something more about the music scene in Brittany?
The Breton (France’s far west) scene is very rock and there are a lot of (very) good bands, and have been for a long time. In Quimper, Douarnenez and Brest, there’s no shortage of projects, and some of them have made it as far as Hellfest or Les Vieilles Charrues. You have to listen to these talented bands. Komodor, Moudrag, Stonebirds and Appalooza spring to mind.
Alongside this breeding ground, local festivals are springing up with superb line-ups, such as the one called God Save The Kouign.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
As a band just starting out, we’ll be criss-crossing the region, mainly in bars and on local stages, hoping to play some festivals. Then we’ll see where it all takes us.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
We’ve got lots of plans, starting with working on new compositions for which we’ve already got the skeleton.
We’ve also just shot a new video clip this January, which will be coming out soon, and we plan on recording an album, probably within the year. Among other things!
How can people best support your band?
By listening to our music of course, by following us on , by coming to our concerts and by sharing Saguaro with as many people as possible!
Our tracks are on Bandcamp and we can also be found on YouTube, Deezer and Spotify.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Thank you for your support. Listen to Saguaro, and listen loud!
Links:
Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify | YouTube | Soundcloud
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well