Interview with Nihall Horan, former One Direction frontman

It is precisely because a new era of anxiety has arrived (from the title of W. H. Auden’s poem “The Age of Anxiety,” 1947, and Leonard Bernstein’s Symphony No. 2, 1949, which it inspired) that public health must prescribe, urbi et orbi, listening Niall Horan. . As an anxiolytic, mental tonic, emotional tonic. Really, who else in today’s soft rock world is as capable of tuning into ten songs on an equally enjoyable wave, without ever straying into drama or comedy, as Horan does on The Show, the third album since he started his album? running your own business after the demise of One Direction™, the boy band that rivaled the Beatles in terms of sales? Even his much more popular colleague Harry Styles with his unapologetic Bowieism, which so irritated Tony Visconti.

Thirty-year-old Horan has no such ambitions. We would calmly ask him to pick up our daughter from school because she is… fragrant? Since 2016, without any interruptions other than those forced by the pandemic, he has been writing music and taking it on tour. The constant movement of three albums, the feverish craftsmanship of a meticulous artist dedicated to the profession in which he grew up, thanks to the sometimes brutal cuts with which the talent show cut short the discography and the A&R (Artists and Repertoire) industry. intercept him while he is driving his car, always as busy as a bee. “I just returned from America yesterday. Today I’m in Liverpool. It’s constant travel, and I spend most of my time due to jet lag.” It is clear he is pleased with his latest recording, which will be the culmination of The Show Live on Tour of the same name, stopping in Italy on March 21, 2024 at the Mediolanum Forum in Milan: “I spent a lot of time writing and producing it. this is during the pandemic and next year. I’m happy, the reaction around the world has been very, very interesting.” Not surprising, given the melodic nature of the songs, bathed in the Californian light of Laurel Canyon, with Beach Boys-style vocal harmonies and references to the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac: “I believed I could write a song. I knew I had the ability to do this. I just had to have faith and trust that when I picked up a guitar or sat down at the piano, something good would come out of it. It’s gone, but who knows. I need to keep my head down, work hard and see.”

Loro Piana sweater, Prada trousers, Giorgio Armani shoes.

The 1970s were his first exposure to music through records (“vinyl” as the hipsters say) floating around the house; However, the real love began “when I realized how lucky I was to grow up with this music that has stayed with me to this day. My parents had a large collection of albums. I listen to many of them even now. When I’m working in the studio I often use analog consoles, it’s an important part of the sound I want.” Speaking of finding an “organic” sound that beats can’t quite imitate, what do you think about the “threat” of artificial intelligence now that creatives are also taking to the streets to protest their own forced obsolescence? ? “Artificial intelligence can really do a lot, but it doesn’t provide what I would call a human touch. He couldn’t have written Hey Jude or any other masterpiece. People will always have an advantage.”

Coat and T-shirt by Dolce&Gabbana.

Horan’s Irish heritage is a prominent feature of his personality, the proud affability that has made his country a cultural superpower despite its size. And this earned him the hospitality of none other than the President of the United States, also an heir to the Celtic diaspora. “For such a small country, the importance we have on the planet is amazing. There are only five million inhabitants, but our drinking culture, nightlife, musical and literary traditions are known everywhere. This is something I value highly and want to showcase as much as possible. And yes, I was invited to Washington to meet with Joe Biden.” It’s clear he cares: “It’s crazy that someone from a town like mine (Mullingar, north-west Ireland, ed.) ends up playing for the President of the United States in the White House. I still can’t believe it.” Not to mention that from a particularly fanatical and conservative society, Ireland turned out to be one of the most progressive and liberal in the West. “I’m not sure what made it possible, but I’m very proud of it. For example, it was great to see that it became one of the first countries to register same-sex marriage. And I am proud that he is acting as a catalyst for change in other countries.”

Loro Piana jacket, Brunello Cucinelli T-shirt, Levi’s jeans.

Do you know U2, this new group of compatriots? Would you cooperate with us? “Some of my favorite songs of all time are from U2, some of the best concerts I’ve ever been to. It would be great to do something about it if I was ever asked.” Coming from one of the world’s biggest selling bands meant it was a difficult precedent to deal with. But Niall Horan does an excellent job. It’s impossible to resist asking him to confirm or deny the usual internet rumors about a 1D reunion. “It’s a stressful time for everyone, but no, I don’t know about it. We communicate often, but everyone does their own thing. Louis is on tour in America, Liam is thinking about his music, Harry is on the biggest tour in the world… In fact, if you hear about a reunion again, please let me know.”