Karl Legris, musician

Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in music?

Today taking away my music will be like taking away a part of my identity. I discovered my passion for music quite young in elementary school, it was completely new to me because there are no musicians in my family. I was enrolled to take music theory and learn instruments in music school. I remember when we were confined due to the COVID-19 pandemic that I spent 4 to 6 hours at the piano a day learning intermediate pieces but I was only starting the piano; there were no lessons at the music school at the time and I spent my time on the piano. It was at this time, through self-teaching, that I learned most of what I know to do on the piano. I then left music school to continue, entirely self-taught, and to make the music I wanted without constraints. This determination allowed me to learn a large quantity of music and to have ease of learning complex music from the start. I watched a lot of musicians on YouTube and I really liked the content they shared and I wanted to share my musical universe in turn, so I launched in 2022 under the name ZephyrMusic.

Who or what have been the most significant influences on your musical life and career?

My biggest inspiration when I started and still today is without a doubt the American pianist Marcus Veltri; you know, this incredible guy who had the ability to play any music we asked him live on Omegle when the site was still open. I have always been impressed by this ability to adapt and move between music that I loved with such good playing. This person especially inspired me to get started and for my content. There is also Rob Landes, a violinist who sometimes appears in Marcus videos, and the violinist Karolina Protsenko, who plays in the streets of Santa Monica; these two people also inspired me.

What have been the greatest challenge of your career so far?

My biggest challenge is organizing time. It’s difficult to juggle family life, work and an artistic career; these are 3 important things for me. At the beginning it wasn’t easy but over time I found the ideal organization and in the end everything goes well and I can fully enjoy it.

Of which performances/recordings are you most proud?

From the start I set a rule for myself: only produce music that I like. So I’m proud of all the music I play, you know, this pleasure of playing your favorite music at any time and being the person who plays the music acoustically; I find that so cool! Making music is a lot of work and is not necessarily easy, there is satisfaction in each piece of music that I finish. I really enjoyed playing Wish You The Best by Lewis Capaldi which is music rich in emotions and which really left an impression on me, but also Reckless by Madison Beer and Mistral Gagnant by Renaud.

Which particular works do you think you perform best?

Without doubt, the music that makes me think of a memory because this music was present in an important moment for me, also when the music makes me feel and I understand the story it tells. In both cases the music makes me convey one or more emotions and that is what makes the power of music and when I do a cover I try to convey the emotions, I play the notes with the hands but especially with the heart and it is in these cases that the performance is better.

What do you do offstage that provides inspiration on stage?

As you know, I’m inspired by other musicians who share their content on YouTube. I sometimes play on street pianos and I really like to interact with other pianists who pass by. During their performances I am often attentive and take pleasure in listening to what others are playing and sometimes I am inspired by it. Also when I listen to the radio, watch a film, a series or play a video game and I say to myself “Well, this music isn’t bad”, it is not uncommon for me to immediately reproduce it on the piano. I often enhance my musical catalogue in this way.

As a musician, what is your definition of success?

As a musician I would say that true success is building a community around your music – a local community but also an international one. It’s really nice to interact with other artists like musicians, singers and even dancers. I always think that music is an art that must be shared.

What advice would you give to young or aspiring musicians?

To believe in themselves, to achieve what they love and to stay true to themselves. Also to find the strength to tell and transmit emotions through their performances.

What is your most treasured possession?

My ability to learn easily and quickly which allows me to save a lot of time that I can devote to other things.

What is your present state of mind?

I am very happy, I have just received my new grand piano which will be easier for me to record my music with better sound quality. I really can’t wait to share my music playing on this wonderful instrument.

zephyrmusic website