2 x 5 = 10 questions for Sanne Huijbregts & Gabriel Michaud

In anticipation of the 24chambers X TROMP Festival Eindhoven concert we have spoken to the two exceptional voices in contemporary percussion that will be performing on November 16: Sanne Huijbregts and Gabriel Michaud. Sanne, a vocalist, vibraphonist, and composer, creates genre-blending dreamscapes filled with loops and layered textures, while Gabriel, a percussionist, composer and 2022’s TROMP winner, brings his diverse influences across chamber music and electronic beats. We asked each of them five questions to explore their favorite TikTokers, their biggest irritations and what instrument fits their personality best.

Gabriel Michaud

1. You have an original Instagram presence with great editing! Do you have a favorite meme page, TikToker, or Instagrammer? And if you were to change careers and become an influencer, what would you focus on?
I’m inspired a lot by Louis Cole. He’s an amazing musician, not a TikToker. But apart from his music, his humor in video editing is also a big influence for my own videos! If I became an influencer, I’d focus on humor. I love making people laugh, also through music, so If I became an influencer I’d try to create funny, engaging content.

2. Your compositions feel epic, sometimes like a battle cry, and at times filmic when you use spoken word. If you could score any epic action story or film, what would it be?
I recently loved Dune, mainly because of the soundtrack. But these kind of big, sci-fi epics are definitely something I’d love to compose for. I also enjoy superhero movies, especially Marvel. Daredevil is my favorite character, so scoring something like that would be amazing.

3. Rhythm is at the heart of so many global music traditions. Is there a specific style you’d like to master?
I don’t have a specific genre in mind, but I’d love to master the art of groove, which is very important in jazz or funk. A goal I have is to create a consistent and personal groove that feels natural from start to finish. Musicians like Louis Cole are masters at this. Ari Hoenig is another drummer I admire for his complex yet sensitive approach to rhythm, but also rappers like Eminem inspire me for their rhythmic precision.

4. Next to playing and composing chamber music, you’re a producer for a rap collective. When you create beats for them, do you draw on your classical background, or do you take inspiration from producers? And if you could collaborate with any rapper, who would it be?
I think you have no choice over what inspires your music, so my classical background definitely influences my beat-making. Even when I perform a contemporary solo piece, the fact that I listen to rap will inevitably influence how I interpret it, even if I’m not fully aware of it. Sometimes my classical background is more direct; for example, I might use samples from acoustic percussion in my beats. When composing, I try to blend everything I enjoy—electronic beats, jazz improvisation, classical and contemporary music, and even dramatic elements—into one piece. As for collaborations, I’d love to work with Zeu a French rapper, I also love Central Cee. And for a dream rap battle, I’d say Drake versus Kendrick Lamar.

5. You often collaborate with your sister, saxophonist Valentine Michaud. What are most of your fights about?
We don’t fight much,” he laughs, but we sometimes clash on communication. She’s really organized, quick with emails and calls, while I might not…So that’s when she might get irritated. We work well together though and being so close makes the collaboration feel natural. But the downside is you have to work with your big sister! Anyone with a bigger sister will understand what that means.

Sanne Huijbregts

1. Your new album is called Mountain Child, inspired by your trips to the mountains and nature. How does nature inspire you, and is there a particular mountain sound you’d want to make into a song?
For me, going to the mountains and being in nature is important because the Netherlands feels crowded; there’s so much noise, so many people, so many opinions, and barely any space. When I’m there, I feel like I’m just receiving ideas. The mountains create space for me to connect to something beyond myself, where I can ‘tune in’ more freely. If I had to pick a sound, it would be silence—the softness of it, as a counter to city life.”

2. When you hit writer’s block, is there something specific you do to overcome it? Are there any films, directors, or artists you turn to for inspiration?
Aside from going to nature, I try listening to other people’s music, particularly experimental music. It gives me a sense of freedom, like, ‘Oh, people are making all kinds of strange stuff.’ I studied in Berlin for a while, where I didn’t feel the ‘weirdest’ person on the street. In Amsterdam, that’s becoming rare, but it’s nice to feel like you’re not the most out-of-the-box, because it gives you courage.
And then there are so many artists and musicians who inspire me: Becca Stevens, Madison Cunningham, Radiohead, Bon Iver, and Punch Brothers—a bit of that folky, singer-songwriter, jazz-pop mix. I also listen to Radio 4 and classical radio all the time.

3. I saw that you’ve done some light directing and photography on the side. If you could choose any director to make a music video for you, who would it be?
I once wrote a song inspired by Lady Bird from Greta Gerwig, about that coming-of-age, mother-daughter complexity. I’d also love a Spielberg video; he has that Roald Dahl-like approach that’s a little scary, but still for kids. The cinematography in The Duke of Burgundy is stunning. If I worked with someone, I’d choose a cinematographer to focus solely on visuals since the story is already in the music. Oh, and Wes Anderson! I should have mentioned him as my number one.

4. Your music is often described as harmonious and wholesome, but what are some things that make you angry or irritated?
Well now, the American elections, for one. But my songs aren’t directly about politics or the world falling apart; they’re more about how all that makes me feel. I actually have a song on my next album called Leeches that’s about the world’s bloodsuckers. I try to make my frustration into something beautiful, so listeners can feel a kind of catharsis, like, ‘Yeah, the world can be rough, but at least we can make beautiful music about it.’ It’s like reading a novel about someone who feels awful, but it can still be a positive experience if the writing is beautiful.

5. If you were a musical instrument, which one would best embody your personality?
I think I’d be a kalimba, I think we are both like a little bird. It’s percussive yet melodic, gentle but with a bit of an edge. People see it as a simple instrument, but you can do amazing things with it if you know how. Or maybe a vibraphone. I like that pitch percussion has a grounding rhythm while also being able to rise above the orchestra; I love to rise above it, I definitely have a soprano personality. The vibraphone lets you be both the foundation and the melody, a mix of support and sparkle.

Gabriel and Sanne will play at our concertseries 24chambers: where the music is classic, the crowd is small and the drinks are free! By sending us a request for an invite you will have a chance to join us. We will inform you about the location and guest list availability via text message. This concert is a special collab. with TROMP Percussion Festival Eindhoven (Nov. 9-17) a vibrate celebration of all things percussion. Five days packed with workshops, an intense competition and a whole bunch of concerts featuring leading artists and rising stars.