“Ruines, Béton & Industrie” LP follows the 30-years-old friendship between Guillaume and Andrew. They artists met in Grenoble, the French techno city, home of The Hacker, Kittin and Etant Donnés. Le Petit Signal, the label behind the album, operates with an ethos of limited-edition and hand-crafted vinyl. Today we present this LP, asking the artists some questions about them and their music.
What inspired the sound and themes of H.L.M.’s debut album?
GL:
The sound material is the result of a lot of research, without having been able to pursue it at the time. I can perhaps speak of gestation. When Andrew suggests we do something together, I bring out elements, rework them and propose them back to him. He approves or not. Then a constant exchange occurs and the composition takes place. The lyrics and themes are formed within our exchanges. I talk about what I’m experiencing at the time or what I’ve experienced.
We realize that people like it, so we continue!
AC:
I guess life influenced a consequent part of our first LP. One of the main theme is architecture in a wide point of view. It can be the architecture of the brain or the philosophy of living together in designed concrete blocks (a direct reference to the French architect Le Corbusier). The Bauhaus school is also huge source of inspiration for me (us) in terms of innovation, simplicity… Anyway everything surrounding me can be a source of inspiration but concerning H.L.M. I tried to keep it around technology, mechanism, science, society, life… etc… Concerning the sounds, Guillaume is always able to surprise me with crazy & very interesting sounds which, after receiving them, I am trying my best to harmonize into a working structure and then create some tracks with all those textures Guillaume is recording (as he is pretty much into field recordings as well).
Can you tell us about the collaborative process between the two of you while making the album?
GL:
As I said before, H.L.M. is truly a two-person project. Andrew allowed me to magnify my compositions. The sound is fleshed out as we exchange ideas. A lot of words and discussions are written around the songs. Nothing is left to chance. We also give time to our compositions. The album, following Covid, was largely finished four years ago. The strength of H.L.M. is, in this fast-paced world, to take our time and realize that the songs are still valid after some time.
AC:
I would say our collaboration is based on our discussions, our common & personal pasts. Guillaume creates the skeleton and I continue his work with some arrangements, ornaments, textures, sounds… etc… in order to enhance what he created. My studio has a large choice of machines which helps me to shape H.L.M.´s sound. We base also our process on trust. This makes our music quite honest & generous.
How does the album’s release align with Le Petit Signal’s philosophy?
GL:
The label’s DIY philosophy is in perfect harmony with our world.
AC: we have, with Guillaume, a strong DIY background very linked to early (pre) rave culture in Grenoble / France. So we felt totally aligned with Le Petit Signal´s philosophy. And to make it even more clear I got Assaf, the creator of Le Petit Signal, speaking.
Assaf Bomgard: Philosophy might sound like a big word for a label celebrating its fifth release—and maybe I’m getting ahead of myself—but there’s an evolving story behind how the music and aesthetics of H.L.M. align with the vision of my label, le petit signal.
For me, synthwave and minimalism—both sonically and visually—are rooted in simplicity. It’s something I’ve always associated with the French language, perhaps because of my early exposure to electronic pop acts like Deux, Ruth, Comix, or X Ray Pop. Their sound is tender, delicate, and, well… petit—a perfect match for silky synths and elegant drum machines.
As an artist with ADHD, I’ve found that the music and concept behind the label give me space to return to a simple mantra: great works don’t need many elements. I value simplicity and repetition—the sweet spot between too little and too much. H.L.M.’s sound stirred something familiar in me, like my early days discovering punk: we didn’t need much, just something honest and on point.
I met David while working as a sound tech at Urban Spree—a time of many adventures, long nights spent, and a lot of exposure to a variety of interesting music and personalities. When he played me an early mix of the H.L.M. album, I had just started shaping the label and was preparing the first release with Gelbart. His DJ sets and past work with Acid Washed and Andrew Claristidge had already left a mark—but this album really set my mind’s wheels going further and further. And the fact that it was sung in French only deepened that feeling. I could already hear the first French-sung release on le petit signal coming to life.
From there, a new friendship grew—centred around shared vision, creative exchange, and a non-negotiable sense of harmony in how I approach each release.
LPS is a minimal triumph (until maybe one day the demand will grow). It’s a manifesto of music, art, and friendship. Every release involves old or new friends, and the label is my ongoing chance to bring together my drive, skills, and curiosity while continuing to learn and grow. So to top it off nicely—and bring you a bit of my personal philosophy—LPS is all about the journey and less about the destination. Because the journey never ends.
What do you hope we take away from this album?
GL:
That it is timeless. To try to translate the lyrics! Because they are the centerpiece of the songs.
AC:
Some hope that we can still create cutting edge & radical pop music nowadays.
And try to analyse the compositions! They are the centerpiece of the songs!!! Hahahaha, sorry Guillaume, just kidding… I guess you can take away a lot from our album. Maybe you can be part of a long and great friendship.
Anything to announce?
GL:
Yes. A second album is almost complete. We’re preparing a live show for soon. We will announce something in November/December 2025. Continue, expand, H.L.M. !!!
AC:
Well… Guillaume almost said it all. Soon we will have a song called « Fronde » on Underground Pacific´s new compilation. We have also our very first remix coming soon out June 6th on Thisbe Recording for Berlin based artist Pyrame´s new track, « Mutation ».
Buy link: https://lepetitsignal.bandcamp.com/album/h-l-m-ruines-b-ton-industrie
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