Vitalic Interview

BBM’s Frankie Salt catches up with Vitalic ahead of his 2012 visit to Australia to play Creamfields.

Good evening Pascal, how are you today? Where in the world are you right now?
Ah hello Frankie and good morning. I am ok Thank you; I’m in France in my home city.

How was 2011 for you? Did you work, party and play hard?
Well yes, I have been touring a lot for the past two years. And I also spent an amazing august in Japan. Since then I have been focusing on my studio time and finishing off some tracks for the new album.

You’ve been producing music for the past 10-15 years. How have things musically changed in that time?
The creation of music is very different now. In the past you had lots of machines and cables to link them together which was expensive. But now you just need a computer and it is a lot cheaper. And it’s a lot easier to create a sound. As far as the people are concerned, ten years ago the crowd seemed a little older but then the newer crowds come through five years on. At the end of the day it’s just generation after generation showing their love for the party.

I read something you had said online which states, “The only thing you can’t fake is the emotion that galvanizes your music” what do you mean by this?
I don’t think I said it in exactly this way. But I definitely do agree with this insofar as you can fake the atmosphere, the emotion, the voice, and the instruments with the help of technology but the real effect of the track- the emotion and the pure music-is always the real thing.

What was your first influence to produce your own music?
I was very much into the Chicago scene and the progressive stuff. And my real love started with the Daft Punk, mixing everything together. When music evolves from nowhere it is really fantastic.

Yeah I completely agree, there’s no faking a pure passion for music. So in 2001 back at the start of the high-rise of Vitalic you worked with Berlin legend, DJ Hell, who released your first EP. The EP contained the club anthem, ‘La Rock 01’, was this when things started to really take off?
Yes this was where the real deal started. Before this I was playing just in France and local countries but after the night of DJ Hell, the scene really started changing. Beyond Europe, the UK, even as far as Australia was on the horizon. And then South America. This was when things took off and I have never looked back.

Artists such as 2ManyDjs religiously use your music within their own sets. How does it feel to have such huge artists using your tracks?
Yeah that’s so cool. It was so exciting when I started travelling around with my music. To then hear other people playing my music… like 2many DJ’s; it was crazy, especially at the festivals. When artists of this high stature use your tracks it of course aids the popularity of your music.

Your remixes including Royksopp and Daft Punk are true works of musical art, how do you decide on a track to remix? What’s the process for doing so?
I don’t know really, it’s all about the moment. If i’m touring too much I find it difficult to make music. If i’m making my own album I then also find it hard to remix. But it’s all about the music. If I like the track and the group then I like to remix their work. But if it’s too close to what I do myself or it’s too perfect a sound; then I don’t like to touch the track. Only when it’s different I can add my own touch. This is very important especially when it came down to the major remixes like Royksopp etc. Also, if it’s another genre it is easier but I could never remix say, a classical disco track, as this is too perfect.

Your disco song is such a stand out track and received nothing but rave reviews. Is this one of your favourite tracks from your latest album? Was there a real disco influence on ‘Flash mob’ the album?
At that moment, yes, it was as it was on the French scene and was becoming really big and I was getting fed up of the hard stuff I was playing all of the time. I liked disco compilations and some Australian music like empire of the sun. You can definitely hear the influence on this album compared to my older stuff.

How would you describe your music? Is it ever changing or would you like to put it into a genre?
I think there is something different about my music, which is for the sounds of the future. My music is easy to understand but quite difficult to describe.

So you’re hitting Australia for the massive festival; Creamfields and then back to the UK for Glade festival. I will definitely be in the crowd for both. Are you ready to rock Australia?
Yeah Glade festival is crazy and I also like to play in Australia, as it is such a treat to travel from one amazing city to another. I played at Glade a few years ago; it was so crazy; the English love a good crazy festival.

Yeah, I can’t wait to see you play soon…what does 2012 hold for Vitalic? Do you have big plans for the summer?
First I am finishing my album, I’m just at the final touches. Then I need to rehearse my new show in time for the release of the new album. It is such a big thing for me and very exciting. However, I would say that making this album was probably easier than the second album as this was quite difficult.

Well I cannot wait to hear the new album and the festivals will be incredible. Thanks for your time Pascal,
Ciao Frankie.

CREAMFIELDS AUSTRALIA 2012 NATIONAL TOUR DATES

Fri Apr 27 Adelaide – Planet Cream, Adelaide Ent Centre (8pm – 4am)
Sat Apr 28 Melbourne – Creamfields, Melbourne Showgrounds (12pm – 10pm)
Sun Apr 29 Sydney – Creamfields, EQ – Showring, Coachbay & Hi-Fi (12pm – 10pm)
Sat May 5 Perth – Creamfields, Supreme Court Gardens* (12pm – 10pm)
Sun May 6 (Long Weekend) Gold Coast – Creamfields, Parklands Gold Coast (12pm – 10pm)
* Subject to council approval

More info: https://www.creamfields.com.au