Love, Loss, and Revolution: The Paris Journey Behind 'The Sound'

It’s four weeks today that I released ‘The Sound (Paris 2013-2016)’, a song which takes a look at my time in Paris.

Here's a deep-dive into the latest release - and in under 300 words! Plus, the subtle (hopefully) reference in the title…

When I arrived by coach in Paris in 2013, it was with two guitars, a suitcase full of essentials, and an idea: that this city would be illuminating for me. Paris delivered on that promise—but not without a few bumps along the way. Those years left an indelible mark on me and on Temporal Comet’s latest song, ‘The Sound (Paris 2013–2016)’.

I’ll never forget one pivotal day in November 2015, just after the terror attacks that shook the city. A friend and I were busking near Notre Dame, unsure whether music had a place in such sorrow. The answer came as Parisians began to gather. Some smiled, some danced—anything to escape the weight of the moment. Amid this, we met Channel 4's Jon Snow, who was reporting on the attacks. His words stuck with me: “These streets are alive, even when they’re burning.” And they always seemed to be burning—whether from protests, celebration, or the aftermath of tragedy.

This mix of fire and resilience is at the heart of The Sound. Lyrics like “Air of revolution in the air / resistance of evidence / the sound of we don’t care” reflect Paris’s raw defiance. From the rude waiters to the ringing cloches (bells) in churchtowers, from lovers meeting on moonlit bridges to the underground rebellion of music, the city’s contradictions fueled the song.

In our band, we embrace those contradictions. Temporal Comet was conceived in Paris with an eclectic mix of French, German, Austrian, and Polish musicians between 2015 and 2016. Now based in London, the band’s multinational spirit persists, creating music that’s as eclectic as Paris itself.

And that brings me onto the title.

David Bowie has always played a huge part in my life. It was in Paris where I spent 5+ hours immersed at the Bowie Is retrospective. A year later, he was dead - as I was moving back to London. The addiition of the ‘(2013-2016)’ plays homage to Aladdin Sane,and my biggest single influence in Bowie. ⚡

So, as The Sound marks four weeks since its release, take a listen if you haven’t already. It’s not just a song; it’s a slice of Paris—the good, the bad, and the beautifully chaotic.