The 333th episode of our 12 Questions segment features producer Xaric.
1. How old are you, where are you living and how long have you been producing and Djing?
Hi, I’m 34, I’m living In Angers , I’m djing since 99’ and I’m producing since 2001.
2. Where do your musical roots lie, what are your first memories of electronic music and when did you know you wanted to pursue it seriously? Are there any particular productions or artists from the past that really made you think to yourself ‘this is what I want to do.”
My father and my brother are music lovers. My father loves classical music, he taught to enjoy music, to appreciate melodies, but I’ve discovered electronic music with my brother. He likes techno and electronic music since Kraftwerk, so i learned a lot at his side. The moment i thought myself “this is what i want to do” was at Ibiza, during the first MTV festival… I saw the people enjoyed the music, the dj’s were so happy to see people with big smiles on Their faces I thought “omg it Would be fantastic to Make People Happy with the music, let s do it”
3. How difficult was learning to produce for you in the beginning? Did you take any Audio Engineering programs or production courses to help you out or are you pretty much self taught? And did anyone give any advice early on that really helped?
I’ve started to produce with a friend on fruityloops. He taught me the daw and helped to Create Rhythm. But the Ones Who really helped me and gave me precious advices were Nugen and the flash brothers. Thanks to them i understood how a track was built, how to do a correct mix down.
4. What parts of the production process do you find the most difficult and what comes easiest for you? When you do hit a creative block what helps you through it?
The most difficult thing In production to me is The mixdown. It is a very particular thing but It is maybe The most important In production. If you do a bad mixdown, your track Will be bad.
I Create easily melodies, i Love that, when The song Stays In your Mind. It is really important to me to have a good melody. If The melody doesn’t come or if I change It a lots of Time, I stop during a few days and I’ll be Back later
5. What’s a normal day like for you? Do you have a job outside of electronic music? And what do you like to do when you’re not working on music?
I’m a train driver So I’m not a lot at home but music is an important part of my Life. I can’t have Day without listening music. And when i m not working on music i Love spending time with my little girl and my wife or Watching some series.
6. Apart from electronic music what other genres do you listen to and who are your favourite artists outside of electronic? and do these genres or artists have a direct effect on your own productions?
I Love jazz, rock, classic. I can listen everything. I’m really open Minded about music. I Love Nina Simone, Sidney bechet, Queen, U2, Placebo, Gainsbourg and many more. I think these genres have a direct effect on my production, melody has a Big part into my tunes i think It is The same into my dj sets. I Love to play various genres.
7. What was the first and last physical (CD, Vinyl, Cassette etc) piece of music you bought?
The firs one was “Gold – Ville de lumière “ In 45” i was 8, It was a French Band In The 80’s not really proud of It but It is The first one.The last one was Global Underground compilation by Unkle. Fantastic one.
8. Tell us something about yourself that might surprise people?
I’m a role player too. Yeah I Love role playing game. It is really good to have imagination.
9. Which producers in your opinion get consistently overlooked?
Well if They are overlooked maybe they deserve It. We see a lot The “old generation” like Cox, Väth, Kruse, Sasha and co, but It is to the new one to push them out hehe. If they still there maybe we are not so good or not so serious to do it. Something I’ve learned myself, making music and djing are 2 different things but Both need to be done seriously and professionally. If you have a dj set , you have to do It seriously. Of course It is fun to play for other people but It is a true job. It is The same with productions, if you are not serious you will never sign In serious label and you will not have exposure.
10. Which producers consistently inspire you? And where else does your inspiration come from?
Jeff Mills is amazing. His tracks have fantastic melodies. Unkle are Great too. Inspiration could come from a Book, a movie or something happen to me In my Life like my daughter birth or when I’ve met my wife. I don’t know exactly Where my inspiration come from but sometime I Will do a track In 2days because I’ve got All The ideas etc and sometime i Will do it In 3weeks.
11. There are countless producers out there trying to find their way and create their own unique sound, what advice do you have for them?
Listen to a lots of music not only electronic music. Be open Minded and Work Work Work. Dont Try to Copy Big names. Of course I could apply these advices to myself hehe
12. If the final DJ/live set of your career was next week what would your last track be?
Glamour to kill – In Your Eyes (Nugen and Archer Superstars Remix) – Sog Record. It is a fantastic groovy track. The melody is just Great. I could say a classic like The Bells or Age of Love but if It is the last one I prefer to try to surprise the people.
Thanks for inviting me.
‘Nyarlathotep / Dagon’ is out now on Se-Lek-Music, you can purchase the release: here
