Tom Lardat - Progressive Voyages Interview

This is the short interview I did with French Progressive Pianist Tom Lardat ahead of the release of his new EP

1/ Who are your piano playing heroes

Thank you very much. I really love the Romanticism of Robert Schumann because I think he achieved a superb blend between the expression of intimate, inward feelings and the expression of raw passion — a cry from the heart addressed to the rest of the world. I drew inspiration from this for the opening theme of “Regrets,” as well as in many other passages of my project. I also find inspiration in other composers such as Frédéric Chopin and Sergei Rachmaninoff, whose works I have played extensively and whose music speaks to me in a very personal way. As a child, I dreamed of one day being able to play Chopin, long before I had the level required to do so. I have always been fascinated by the image of the Romantic pianist alone with his instrument.

When it comes to rock keyboard players, I greatly admire Jordan Rudess for his virtuosity, Mike Garson on the album Aladdin Sane by David Bowie for the integration of piano into pop/rock, and Kevin Codfert (formerly of Adagio, now with Myrath) for his use of classical music in progressive metal, which had a strong impact on me at the time

2/ Who would you like to work with in a progressive keyboard role givenn5he opportunity?

I would be happy to record a progressive metal album with a band if I find one. Since this style remains a niche, it is not that easy to find bands in need of a keyboardist here in Switzerland. However, I am already writing my next compositions, in which the influence of progressive metal will be stronger, with a greater emphasis on rhythm and perhaps less traditionally classical harmonies. We’ll see how things unfold.

Info here: .Music | Tom Lardat https://share.google/m18xZrUbOk5B3hZKC

Here is my brief review and impressions of the EP credits De L'ombre (Stories Of The Shadow)

The EP has just four tracks it is entitled RecitscDe L'ombre

The tracks are Overture 1.40 Jour De Pluie 4.02 Sortlieges 7.52 and Regrets 7.08

Overture commences with a suitably strident and expressive piano motif after which settles into a more Romantic sounding melody, it is a good opening statement of intent

This is followed by Jour De Pluie ( Rainy Days) To be fair this track dies evoke thoughts of rainy days and rain falling on the streets, weather that is because my mind can see the rain as it dances on the ground again there is romanticise in this piece Tom himself says he us captivated bybthe Romantic composer of the age, hre he outs his own spin on those early memories

Sortleiges (Magic Spell) follows this has a repeated bass motif that plays before Tom 1add a right hand melody line of sustained chords and notes and a melody appears as if by magic almost there is a good syncopation to this track and i like how the bass motif anchors the piece, beforeca more florid section appears which appears almost to to chase itself somewhat, it is a well composed and delivered piece of music.

Final track Regrets is anothercsuitably acrobatic piece that shows that zoom certainly has the skills in composition and performance that would enable his talents to be used in a metal band and would allow him opportunity to achieve a much desired career goal

Let's hope 5hat a metal band take onnthe challenge for Tom Lardat forcwhommthe future certainly looks bright.

Author John Wenlock-Smith Saturday 2nd May 2026.