The guys from French garage band Jamaica have travelled a long journey to reach the point they find themselves at today. Antoine Hilaire initially started a solo music project accompanied by nothing more than a guitar and his trusty iPod. Soon enough, Antoine was joined by Florent Lyonnet & Samuel Nicolas to form Poney Poney– the three piece band we’ve been hearing some low-key buzz about over the past couple of years. They then had a number of songs produced by the likes of Xavier de Rosnay and Para One released under Unsunned, a pop sub-label born to that baddest European label we know as Institubes. The band has since undergone its rebirth as a duo named Jamaica and had their succesful first single release in the up-beat “I Think I Like U 2“, with a fun and cheeky video directed by So-Me and Machine Molle to match. More recently, our friends over at Mad Decent mistook the band’s name as an opportunity to participate in some more culture exploitation and had Jamaica do a slick mixtape to get us prepped for the summer. It’s safe to say that Jamaica have a bright year coming up, and TRUANTS had a quick catch-up with Jamaica on Grammys, their upcoming album and Gossip Girl.

TRUANTS: How did you two meet and get into music together?
ANTOINE: Our former girlfriends were friends. We met each other once or twice and then realized we were going to be brothers in rhythm.
FLORENT: That is the first part of the story. Antoine didn’t tell you the second part of the story but the truth is that we dropped our girlfriends to be together…

Why the band name change? Have you ever been to Jamaica to pick up some slang?
ANTOINE: Our former drummer left the band, so we decided to pick the coolest name available and Jamaica is definitely a place that evokes cool fantasies. We’re trying to pay hommage to that. I’ve actually never even been near the Caribbeans. I guess we’ll be introduced to some Jamaican slang now.

Who is your favourite Jamaican?
ANTOINE: I’d go with Marley of course and I really like Usain Bolt. His being so good effortlessly is so cool.

What inspired you throughout the process of writing your new material?
ANTOINE: We decided to surrender to our Nirvana and The Police fantasies. Catchy tunes, tempo that breaks in two and one guitar solo per song. We tried to make our songs simpler yet richer with technical prowess.

How do you like performing in Holland? You’ve relatively performed more here than anywhere else!
ANTOINE: Our first three shows took place in Holland. We loved each one of them, because we were really excited to finally have our songs listened to by an actual audience. I especially enjoyed the Paradiso venue since the kids danced from the first minute to the very end. And we also enjoyed our very first gig at SuperRauw at Melkweg, because our closest friends came to support us.

When will you be able to sit back and consider Jamaica a success? Would you chop off your hair for a Grammy?
ANTOINE: When Stuart Copeland comes to us and says we’re good.
FLORENT: Bono already loves the project, I think it’s good news.
ANTOINE: As for Grammys, it’s great that now it seems that every year a French act gets a Grammy! Like I’m really happy for Phoenix and last year, one of our two producers, US hitman Peter Franco, got one too for the Daft Punk Alive CD. I’d like to be able to celebrate and drink out of one that belongs to us.

What do you guys have in store for us in the next couple of months?
ANTOINE: Our first single’s video was directed by So-Me and we’re really happy with the reactions so far. We’re now preparing our second outcome called “Short & Entertaining”. As for the album, it’s ready and we’re planning on releasing it by September. Next to that we’re playing live here and there, warming up for the summer festivals.

If your life was a movie, what would be the themesongs to introduce your characters onscreen?
ANTOINE: The theme song from “Le Grand Blond avec une Chaussure Noire“. Or maybe “Couldn’t I Just Tell You” by Todd Rundgren.
FLORENT: The movie would be “The Wackness” and the song “Bonita applebum” by A Tribe Called Quest.

Did My Little Pony play a big part in your childhood? What is your favourite kind of pony?
ANTOINE: I’m a guy, I played with action figures and guns. But I’ve been told that the Sheitland ones, the smallest ones, are bad ass.
FLORENT: The midget ones. They are small but they have the courage of stallions.

Eva Green wants you to perform at her private birthday party. Describe the atmosphere setting, your set and the crowd.
ANTOINE: I’ve been told she used to be some kind of a goth girl when she was a teenager, so we’ll play her only goth anthems. Everybody would be dressed in black and drink bloody marys. Until Daniel Craig walks in and asks us to back him on “Sussudio”. We’ll execute of course, have you seen his arms?
FLORENT: I would call everyone invited to the birthday to say that the party is cancelled. Next, I’m at her place within 30 minutes. I notice she’s sad and I ask her if she wants a ride…

Blair Waldorf or Serena Vanderwoodsen?
ANTOINE: I can’t stand Blake Lively’s way of not articulating.
FLORENT: Blair Waldorf. I want to punish her.

What has been your most valuable life lesson?
ANTOINE: Never run.
FLORENT: If the guy is stronger, aim at the balls.