Why do you think that the world is loving French DJ producers so much? What is your take on Frances success?
This is clear that there is a special touch in France. French producers often have the ability to make songs that have mass world appeal. Let’s remember Daft Punk, Laurent Garnier or recently Bob Sinclar and David Guetta who have been having strong successes around the world. All that fame is attracting new, young French DJ’s and producers dreaming of such achievements. Moreover, it is also contributing to develop the “French touch” brand image all around the world where the people pay attention to French musical scene.
I hear you are the official DJ for the Cannes film festival? Can you tell me more about this?
I’ve had some wonderful experiences mixing at the top of “Les Marches” (the steps of the Palais Des Festivals) for the world’s most prestigious film festival. This really is something extraordinary. The cinema’s world greatly influences my mixes and I love to compare them to those I would have made for fashion shows: people moving, photographers snapping, beautiful dresses… and the music especially adapted for the event. I particularly remember when Quentin Tarrantino came up the Palais des Festivals steps. It was incredible to see all those people dancing down on the floor. I will never forget that feeling.
How did you get connected to so many fashion labels to direct their music? Tell me about them?
My connection as a musical designer for the Cannes Film Festival helped me to enter the fashion world. It is always interesting to work with brands and designers for events or fashion shows. Each designers needs are different and the musical research I have to do is always very enriching. I remember a musical theme we developed on Christian Dior’s life, his tastes, his influences. It was so exciting.
‘Desire’ is your first single release on Defected Records; tell me about the track, what was your inspiration and who is playing it?
It’s an amazing vocal track. I always feel a lot of emotion when I play it in a club. I produced it between Paris and Miami with the first step being during the last Winter Music Conference. I was in a studio in South Beach with Jay Sebag, Michaël Malih and Johnny Sanders … the song was made during this magic session. It’s already a huge success in France but now I m very proud to be on Defected to send this song to the world !
‘You and I’ is your next single on your own label “Aime Music”, tell me about that, did you do anything different on this production to your other tracks?
Yes “You and I” is more pop. The lead vocal is by a very good singer from New York, Polina, and the chorus is a band of 4 singers (Polina, Duane Harden, Moises Modesto and Makedah)... it’s full of good vibes! I really wanted to produce a song with a strong chorus and where we never lost the energy.
I produced this with a radio vision in mind but I also had some strong remixes for the clubs, including Nicky Romero, Daddy’s groove, Tristan Garner, Mark Alston, Mitch LJ & Jared Dietch.
Have you remixed or produced any of the tracks on the album? Tell me about them? Do you work by yourself or do you have a studio partner?
There are 2 CD’s. The first one is typical of what I play at fashion shows, on the Red Carpet in Cannes or at a cocktail party. It’s an eclectic selection between Electronic, Pop, Rock, Deep …
The second is a snap-shot of what you might hear me play at a club, especially at one of my “So Happy in Paris?” club nights. In this compilation you can listen my song “Desire” but also “Feel The Spirit” .... two great vocals for the dance floor.
What records from this album are particularly big for you? Tell me about some of the reactions that you get when you play them?
Oh hard to say. I really love all of them, but the Simian Mobile Disco with Beth Ditto from Gossip is amazing also look out for the latest Rasmus Faber “Wilder Side” with Candi Staton. Also the young talent from “So, Happy in Paris” Kaëlig with the song “3 in The Morning” and of course “Hey Hey” from Dennis Ferrer …
Where will we see you DJing soon, or what is the agenda for SHIP for 2010?
I have a lot of parties … of course every month my residency at Queen Club Paris on Champs Elysées but also in Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Poland, Canada, USA, China, Japan, Korea, Singapore etc.