Out of work : the interview

After spending almost 8 years at PSRS Paris, Louis Stephens and Maxys Turk have left our nest and are flying on their own, taking a year off before university to focus solely on composing, producing and releasing their own music. PSRS Founder Jason Domnarski sat down with them recently to learn more about their new project OUT OF WORK and how PSRS helped them get to where they are today.

Gentlemen, it’s always a pleasure. Let’s jump right in - what is Out of Work?

LS : Out of Work is the name of our production duo. The idea came to us as a joke based on our gap year plan. After the Bacc, we decided to take a year off to record an album instead of going straight to college. Although no one tried to stop us, many people joked about how crazy the idea was and how we would end up out of work. So we thought it would be funny to embrace that idea in our name. We’re working out of a recording studio that used to be an old mustard factory, so that’s pretty cool.

Awesome. I love it. So where are you guys headed next year?

MT : We are both going to study music production and business at Drexel University in Philadelphia in the US.

LS : The program is designed to prepare students for careers in music business, whether it be in production or performance or more commercial stuff like working at labels and handling contracts.

Sounds very exciting - and challenging! What are you guys most excited about learning or experiencing at university?

MT : I’m definitely looking forward to improving my production, songwriting and mixing skills. But more than anything, I want to meet and work with new people that are passionate about music - not only students but also pros in the industry. I’m looking forward to the challenge!

LS : The program is quite selective so we’ll be with many talented and creative musicians - I’m excited to grow and learn from these new friends and be immersed in a truly intense musical environment

“PSRS created the environment to allow me to keep growing and loving music and without them I would have never dreamt of applying to music school or releasing my own music.”

So the million dollar question - how do you think PSRS has prepared you for your next step?

LS : I owe so much to PSRS! French high schools leave very little room for extra-curricular activities. PSRS created the environment to allow me to keep growing and loving music and without them I would have never dreamt of applying to music school or releasing my own music.

MT : Everything I’m making these days is a result of PSRS. Being in PSRS bands and sharing my passion for music with others drove me to pursue a career in music. I doubt that I would have ever thought of recording or writing songs on my own if I hadn’t experienced the process at PSRS - I really owe a lot to the program!

Could you share some of your most memorable PSRS moments?

MT : Playing the Stereokids event at La Cigale was definitely a highlight - it was my first big performing experience outside our PSRS shows at La Bellevilloise and it was a moment I will remember forever. Also, when I flew to Brooklyn to attend the PSRS Songwriting and Recording Camp over there.

Oh yeah, I totally remember that Brooklyn recording camp - we wrote one of my favorite PSRS original songs, “It’s All Business”

LS : Yeah, the Stereokids gig blew my mind. Also the 2018 Summer Songwriting and Recording in Paris was awesome, when we wrote “Waiting” with our friend Ellie Mudie. But I think I’ll always remember my first and last PSRS concerts. For the first concert I played Another Brick in the Wall on bass and for my last concert I performed Go Your Own Way on guitar - two very special moments for me.

Watch Maxys and Louis perform “Tick Tick Boom” by the Hives, live from the Gibson headquarters in Paris:

So what artists or bands are inspiring you at the moment?

LS : I’ve been really inspired by the band GEESE, who are former PSRS Brooklyn students - I got to see them live a few weeks ago and they blew my mind. It was super inspiring to see how similar their backstory is to ours. Many of the band members were involved with PSRS and are barely a few years older than Maxys and I. But they have a real style and are incredibly genuine - they perfectly represent where I dream of being in a few years.

MT : I’m a big pop guy - Charlie XCX, Caroline Polacheck, etc…They resonate with me because the are all very “out there” in terms of ideas, but are able to translate those ideas into songs that appeal to a mainstream audience, without losing their edge. And they’re not just singers - they write their own songs and work with other artists. More than anything, their versatility as artists is what inspires me the most.

So what’s next for Out of Work and how can we follow your journey?

LS : Our first single, “Bad Love” was just released a few days ago and we're working on a full album that we’ll release in July 2022! Along the way, we’ll continue to release some singles.

MT : And everyone can follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Tik Tok at @outofworkofficial!

Amazing. Guys, thanks so much for taking the time to chat with me - I know this interview will be very inspiring for our younger students. We are very sorry to see you go but we are super excited to see what’s next for you both and we have total faith that no matter what happens, your passion, creativity and positivity will serve you VERY well in the future.

To learn more about Out of Work, visit their website at: www.outofwork.band