The Plug
Your new album, Dirty, just arrived. How would you say it differs from last year's debut, Palace?
“It's definitely an evolution for sure, though still keeping things around house music. I think Palace was more based on what could be seen as coming from Chicago house, and San Francisco, whereas this time it's closer to New York really. Dirty is also a lot darker; the title explains the idea really.”
Were there any specific influences that came to the fore during production?
“I was certainly inspired by some people, for sure. Kings of Tomorrow, those kinds of beats really inspire me; sometimes using strange samples and stuff. On this new album things are kind of fast I suppose, and there are some pretty long intros. I've also got lots of vocals on there that are my friends' voices, which is pretty cool.
“That means when I'm out and playing them I know who they are and nobody else does, it's funny. Also most of the tracks were done last year, when I was just coming away from Ibiza, so it's really the mood of that- the end of or late summer.”
LP two is released through Rekids, as oppose to your own W imprint. How was that decision made?
“Radioslave came to me asking if I could do an EP, and I jokingly said I had enough for an album. Then he just said ‘yeah, OK'. I sent over maybe nine tracks to begin with and he took them all, so it was easy to finish things off from there.”
So did you guys know each other already then?
“No, he came to me through Facebook actually, and just said he really liked my music. I was blown away, you know- Radioslave's obviously massive. After that he got me to play a Rekids party at Panorama Bar, and then we've been in touch a little since then. I don't know him well but he seems like a really nice guy.”
The Issues
Do you still think of yourself as a DJ first and foremost?
“Well DJing is the thing that came to me first. Then I started to produce and for a while was trying to find a sound and direction for myself. Then I stopped thinking like that and just made tracks specifically to DJ with.
“I love to make music, but DJing is even more important to me.
Maybe a live show would be the next step, but I want to take my time, do it well and not just rely on computers- have machines and maybe a singer too.”
The French scene seems healthy at the moment, with recent albums from Phil Weeks and I:Cube all proving this point. Do you agree?
“It's getting a little better but for clubs it's still not great. In terms of DJs and producers I've never seen so much quality. So I think things are getting ready to explode, and it should happen soon, as there's certainly a lot of potential right now.
“On top of the younger people like you say I:Cube is back with new stuff, and maybe that's a result of seeing what's going on at the moment- he's always been around but releasing a new album I mean.”
So you don't think Paris is good for clubbing?
“No, I don't. Maybe 15 years ago it was great, and then it has been in decline ever since. Perhaps it's the politics, maybe it's the attitude of the French people, I don't know. But now it feels like people want to party again. Even if they don't really have any money at the moment they want to go out and have some fun. Also there are new organisations and clubs coming through that are improving things.”
The season has begun out here- have you now fully debased to Ibiza?
“Oh, no, I'll be going back home after every one or two weeks. When you stay for the season it's too dangerous. But yes I'll be coming and going for the whole summer with my residency at DC10, which normally works out around twice a month, as there are a lot of people involved. Obviously I'm pretty excited now things have begun, it should be great, again.”
