Canblaster (Interview)

First off let me say thank you for taking the time to do this interview with us. I heard you play a few weeks ago in Washington DC and I was blown away by the unique sound and style of your music. How would you describe the your own music?

Its the reflect of my influences I guess : Detroit, Ghetto House like Ballroom (DJ MikeQ !) or Bmore, Basement Jaxx, Japanese pop and video game music, UK 2-step, 90 RnB/New Jack Swing … I’m really influenced by old school electro though.

Have you noticed any difference between audiences in Europe vs. in the US? If so, what is it?

Well it depends where in Europe. For example the US crowd seems to like dancing a lot more than the french one. You guys got genres focused on dances, Footwork, or even in rap the cooking dances or stuff like that … Nobody dances in France, excepted a few people stuck in the 70 funk or old school beats, that you never see in clubs, and Jump style crowds.

What is your favorite city to perform in? Why?

I liked San Fransisco and Montreal a lot, open minded crowd. I like playing in Paris of course, cause all the fam is there. But I think my fav spot is Belgium, the crews in bruxelles are SO nice ! Special large up to Forma T and Pelican Fly, for starting their own labels.

Where did you grow up and what’s one memory that stands out from your childhood?

I grew up in Douai, a little city in the North of France, near Lille. nothing to do round here, I grew up with like 3 CDs, basement Jaxx, Prodigy and Cassius. I used to play video games a lot too. This is the kind of city where you wanna leave as soon as you’re 18.

How old were you when you started producing music?

I think 15, first on Music 2000 on playstation, and then Fruityloops, for Dance Video Games (looking like Dance Dance Revolution).

What musicians have had the greatest influence on you and your music?

Basement Jaxx, for the way they overproduce, they put too much in their tracks. Detroit house and especially Underground Resistance, Mad Mike, their chords and choirs are mad. Yuzo Koshiro, mighty composer of the Sonic the hedgehog and Streets of Rage Sega Genesis soundtracks.

What has been your biggest break into the music industry thus far? How did it happen?

I think it’s my Drop the Lime remix for now, with some Horses Samples and “Pocket Enio Morricone” break. One of the most techno tracks I did so far, with a little Jeff Mills Feel. It happened very fast.

What part of the music process – production through performing – do you enjoy the most?

I really like Producing, but since I switched to CDs I really enjoy playing now. I used to be on ableton and now that I quitted playing live with it, I have to admit it was so boring … But I use it to compose, tried a few other ones when working with other people, like Sonar or Logic, but Albeton is just the best for me, I need things to work fast and its the fastest.

Do you have any upcoming remixes, tracks or edits that we should keep our eye out for?

I just finished remixes for Funkin Matt & Teki Latex, The Count & Sinden, and Erol Alkan & Boys Noize. Each one is interesting in its own style, The Teki one as a deviant Tool, Simple but mental, The Count & Sinden one as a 90 Chords (like Jetpack was) and the Erol/Boys Noize one as a weird energy broken journey, hosted by the whispering voice of Jarvis Cocker. Really looking forward to get these released.
Also working on a lot of collaborations, started a lot of them and finishing slowly. Just recorded and 3 tracks EP with Mumdance, 2 odd-grimey ones and a rough house tune, a bit like Chicago’s Underground Construction. Got collabs to finish with French Fries, Riton, Crookers, Richelle, Nick Hook …
And of course we’re working a lot with the other members of Club Cheval, Myd, Sam Tiba & Panteros666. Just finished a remix of Donovans with Panteros666 and a remix for Schlachthofbronx with Myd. And working on loads of original ghetto/techno tracks with Sam Tiba right now.
Finally, Im working on my 3rd EP, which will be released on Marble.

Are there any up and coming artists that have caught your attention? Tell us a little about them.

Well right now Im focused on 2 labels mostly :
Marble, the new label just started by Para One, Surkin and Bobmo (High Powered Boys). The first EP is getting released this month, its good to finally see things happening in France, and they already got a lot of releases ready that sound freakin good. Myd, Sam Tiba and me are working on one EP each for them too.
And Pelican Fly, label hosted by dj Slow, in Bruxelles, the first release, Richelle – Mascotte, was really amazing and the second one is getting released this month too, Mr Tweeks – Numéro Sept EP. I play it in every set.
And the whole Footwork/Juke scene if you don’t know them, there are pure gems at fast tempos ! Ghettophiles, DJ Rashad, DJ Spinn, DJ Nate, DJ Roc, Manny,

Do you have a favorite song right now? In general?

DJ Rashad & Add-2 – Ghettotekz Runnin it

What are the five most recently played songs from your computer?

DJ Rashad & Add-2 – Ghettotekz Runnin it (You already know this)
Todd Edwards – Streaky v Todd Vol3 (its a mixtape)
Yuzo Koshiro – Spin on the Bridge (Streets of Rage 2, one of the best soundtracks ever made)
Ken Ishii – Extra
Pelican Fly – Mascotte (Pelican Fly !)
Oh and most wanted : High Powered Boys – Girly. The groove is so sick can’t wait to play it …

What role do you think bloggers play in the music scene? Do you support it? What would you change?

There is so much music on the internet today, its hard to find what you want, the blogs help people to do the selection, which is really important. The most important part of blogs for me is the mixtapes though. Nobody listens to long albums anymore, when they want to listen to something long they download a mix, so I really support blogs who do monthly mixes by different artists for exemple.
And I especially go to weird blogs about niche music. I like Dave Quam’s blog “it’s after the end of the world” a lot for example, always weird gems !

Describe yourself in 3 words.

Detroit – Yamaha – Sleepover

If you weren’t doing music, what would you be doing for a living? Why?

I did Audiovisual and Cinema studies before this (that’s where I met Myd), so probably something around that.

Which are better, sunsets or sunrises? Explain.

Sunsets, cause I’m a night person. Sunrise means I will have to go to bed before lights blows up my whole room.