Doomed Confessionary: Nicolas Cagnoni (Membrane)
Membrane is a four-piece sludge/noise/post-hardcore band from Vesoul, France.
Membrane has no equal when it comes to playing on heavy rhythms, slow motions suggesting constant tension. For over twenty years, its goal has been none other than to deepen wounds, to freeze time. With noise tinged with post-hardcore, Membrane has never stopped looking for a semblance of light in the depths of our darkest emotions.
»Deathly Silence«, Membrane’s seventh album, confronts us with a depressing reality: the rise of social injustices, the growing madness of humanity, and the ongoing climate crisis. Released on January 8th, 2025, this opus blends abrasive noise with sharp melodies, immersing the listener in a dark and dissonant atmosphere.
Membrane are Nicolas Frère (guitar, vocals), Hugo Perestrelo (guitar), Nicolas Cagnoni (bass, backing vocals) and Maxime Weingand (drums).
Can you say a few words about your band?
Membrane is a French band playing noise/post hardcore since 2000 created by Nicolas Frère, the actual guitarist and singer. Around him, the lineup evolved, together with the music. There have been a lot of changes, but the same passion and rage since the beginning.
A lot of shows and seven albums later, we are now four musicians, animated by the same will to deliver heavy noise music, and violent shows to people.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
In 25 years, you guess that we have been in front of a lot of trouble. But I must say that our big challenge was facing the loss of our guitarist in 2021.
What can you be most proud of so far?
I guess holding on for 25 years as a noise band is something we should be proud of. We faced sad episodes as I said, some ups and downs in our motivation… But being together in 2025, releasing our seventh album, is something we are proud of.
What was your biggest regret?
I’ll speak for myself, but I’m pretty sure the rest of the band will agree: the cancellation of some great shows during the epidemic. We were just releasing »Burn Your Bridges«, our sixth album, and we had to play a lot, in great venues, with bands we love. It really was bad timing. But hey, we are a lot of bands in this situation, and we didn’t split, so I guess we are lucky, finally.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
We love touring with friends, so definitely our different tours with Pord, Revok, Sofy Major, Chaos ET Sexual. Besides being great human beings, they are excellents at creating and playing music.
Photo by Nicolas Billion
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
We have different opinions on that subject, but for me Doodseskader, the duet with the ex-bassist of Amenra is surprising, and extremely good!
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
I recently discovered King Yosef, and I can’t stop listening to »An Underlying Hum«, that is his most incredible piece of music. Everyone reading this should listen to him.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Some people say that you have to keep the passion intact. And it’s true. If you can’t play music as soon as there is nobody to your shows, and not so much positive feedback on your music, then you are not a musician, you are a bad employee in the music sphere.
What are your guilty pleasures?
I can’t help myself but listen to MIA – »Bad Girls« every time I’m high. Not so post-hardcore, eh…
Can you say something more about current music scene in Vesoul / France?
I won’t say so much about it. We are often disappointed, but maybe it’s ours. I will just say that people generally prefer listening to the same bands that play the same festivals with the same tracks for so long now, and don’t care about discovering alternative bands, styles. The lack of curiosity is killing not just us, but a large number of bands that actually do excellent music, who put effort, time, money, and energy to offer something new, never before listened. And it’s in that case the advice I was talking about is super important.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
We are preparing to tour in France this winter. Paris, Lille, Nancy next month. And some other good stuff going on, with great bands, but I can’t say it already. But stay tuned!
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Doing shows to promote our album »Deathly Silence«.
How can people best support your band?
Come and say I when we are around at shows. So come to our shows. And spread the word! It is so much more efficient to talk between friends about a band, than being promoted on spotify by a fucking algo.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Thanks already for your support and feedback. We hope to see a lot of you, to share a word and a drink in some places!
And thank you for your time, Bojan!
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well