Paris, June 2026. I have been assigned to interview the absolutely extraordinary, outside of all boxes, divinely underground pop star Van Hechter. To state that I am excited is an understatement. Last time I spoke to him was 2 years ago when he visited for performances. This time around he is pre-promoting his next EP which he is recording in Montreal while working as a weekly headliner at Orage (a MTL institution as it were).
Music Authentic: Van, it’s been too long! I’d missed your electricity- just the way you say hello feels like a B12 shot!
Van Hechter: I’ve actually missed you too. I’d forgotten how handsome you were! Ahhh well if I can be your B12 then you are my C + D chewable!
MA: (Blushing) I really like your recent song, btw, ”Boy Problems”… I know a lot of people (I included) describe you as an ”underground pop star” but sometimes I feel like saying that what you write is actually ”Intellectual pop”. Your songs are observations that lead us thinking about society and the human condition. And when a subject is on the ”heavy” side, you purposely use reference rhymes from the disco era to balance out the acidity with a little candy, which is BRILLIANT. You’re very intelligent, aren’t you?
VH: My goodness thank you! Once this interview comes out I’ll have it framed! It’s nice, being thought of as one of the brighter crayons in the box, perhaps not a yellow but a good firetruck red! I do play a lot with words and use cliché rhymes to express non-cliché situations, you’re right. And honestly: I’m surprised you even noticed. Surprised and flattered!
MA: Why are you in Paris right now?
VH: Well, it’s my favorite male cousin’s wedding and I wouldn’t have missed it for the world (I specify male because in English you don’t have a pronoun to indicate gender and I wouldn’t want my female cousins to start thinking they ain’t favorite too). He’s truly a person I would choose to have as a close friend, should there be no blood bond… By the way: you think I’m stylish? One look at him, and you won’t even want to bother with me! He’s got the best taste ever. This includes his choice of wife, I must add. Wonderful, kind & beautiful young lady, she is…
Of course, while I’m here, might as well prepare the French for my next EP!
MA: What do you think about Parisians?
VH: First off, as you know, I am part French, therefore Paris to me is not foreign: I’m at home when in France. Perhaps my perception is different than that of a visitor? I have to say, Parisians have ALWAYS been wonderful to me. I know they’re supposed to have this reputation for being ”unpleasant” but I like them. As a kid, they were super nice to me. Later, as a performer they embraced me with a respect I had rarely encountered.
France, then more generally Europe, treats artists with reverence. So, are Parisians sharp-tongued, direct and hot-tempered? Yes! As am I! But they also have elegant manners, refinement, gallantry… And they are really flirty which I find fun.
MA: And come September, the EP is out…
VH: Yes. I’m recording it right now with my long-time partner Eryck Wyseman. I love what we’re doing. I also have to say: I love studio work, more than ever before. The studio is such a warm, safe place where we can experiment, make mistakes, start over…
MA: Ok, let me pick your brain on a more personal level…
VH: Shoot!
MA: Is happiness a choice?
VH: Absolutely! Not only is it a choice, it’s a discipline. We can’t control bad situations that simply happen in life, however we can decide, on a daily basis, to be as happy as possible within a situation… And if it’s devastating: learn from it, get something positive out of it.
MA: What is the most important thing in life?
VH: Friendship. Deep friendship. I’d be dead without it.
MA: What cures everything?
VH: Laughter. Laughter, music and wine.
MA: What bores you?
VH: Nothing about life itself. However, boring people bore me. But there are none in my surroundings therefore I’m never bored.
MA: How long do you want to live?
VH: Until the party lasts.
MA: What could you do for love?
VH: Anything that doesn’t cross the limit of self-respect. Other than that I’ll probably give the world.
MA: Last: what’s it like to be considered gorgeous throughout one’s life? As a kid people stopped your father on the street to ask if you were a child movie star, during your punk band years you were the ”pretty” punk, then you grew into a striking man who still turn heads. Does it bother you that your physical appearance attracts attention?
VH: Ohhhh please! I find artists who get pissed off because the media focuses on their good looks to be idiots!
Being considered attractive is lovely and something all humans deeply crave. Someone who hates being told they are hot because they feel it reduces other parts of them are the equivalent of spoiled rich brats who claim that ”Being born wealthy is hard”… I’ll go further… In my personal case: looks probably saved my life…
MA: WOW! How so?
VH: Well, I was an unwanted baby. My mother was the mistress. And I had an army of family members against me from conception. But then I was born and so darn adorable: I charmed everyone. After my mother died a bit before my 4th birthday, I needed mothering… Again, my intense eyes and ”cuteness” got me surrogate moms everywhere I went. Later, as a teenager sweeping floors at my father’s hair salon, there were 16 female employees: I had 16 mothers fawning over me, also sometimes putting me in place, which was what I needed… To me being handsome is an undeserved gift one should NEVER spit on.
And there we have it, the Van I love: unapologetic, aware, owning himself and freaking delightful…
Insta: @vanhechter
Deezer ”Boy Problems”: https://link.deezer.com/s/33qoDL9R7LqrftOspu30e
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VanHechter