How have the same four people stayed together since the start? Mario calls it a little cliché: they talk. When there's tension, they put words on it, sometimes too many.
The gap between albums came from changing nearly everything around the band at once. The label contract ended, so they needed a new deal, and they parted ways with their manager, without any bad blood, to get someone who could land a strong contract. New label, new management, new crew, new tour manager, plus time to write.
Gojira spent ten years playing only in France. He says almost no French bands played abroad before them. A Download Festival slot in 2006 and support from the UK press were the turning point. The business side is split on purpose: Joe and Christian, singer and guitarist, spend hours on the phone and online with venues and magazines, while Mario and the bass player focus on playing.
When there is tension, we try to put words on it.
Mario Duplantier, Gojira
You cannot just be an artist.
Mario Duplantier, Gojira
What to take from it: Talk before it festers, and make sure at least one person in the band owns the business work.
Quotes are from the interview audio, trimmed for filler words only.
