Acumen is known his emotive composition of dark but emotive techno, the type to get lost to in the peak of the party. Having been working on a number of projects over recent times, the Frenchman is launching into the new year with a brand spanking new three-track offering called Idéal Féminin.
Riding high off the success of his recent long-player ‘My Girls’, the gifted live artist and DJ and label owner is coming off the back of an impressive few years, with Richie Hawtin, Loco Dice and Laurent Garnier all counting themselves as supporters with releases on esteemed labels like Get Physical and Mobilee supporting and showcasing his signature sound.
Idéal Féminin is the title track off his latest EP which offers up a well rounded, accomplish slice of house-infused techno. Second track Panier De Crabe is a particular highlight, offering percolating synths, robust high-hat claps and an infectious groove that works as an ideal dancefloor weapon.
Teaming up with London imprint NONSTOP for this release, Acumen is set for another exciting year ahead.
We caught up with the Frenchman to find out what’s good…
How was Christmas and New Year for you? Did you get what you wanted?
I love the holiday season. It’s time for me to rest and find all the people I love. Everything was perfect with my wife and kids.
Do you have hopes, goals, dreams, targets, resolutions for 2017? Can you share them with us?
I already have two children but I got married again in September 2016. my wife léa inserts me a lot. It allowed me to cry out and find my way. This is felt I think in my work as a pharmacist every day but also in my music. My ultimate goal for 2017 is to have a third child. Musically it is to continue to explore and produce but also to make beautiful dates.
How have your tastes and styles evolved since you first got started? Are you always learning and solving or have you got all the skills you need now?
I think that any artist has tastes that evolve from year to year. There are certainly things I listened to in 2000 that I would have a hard time hearing now. Even if we keep a certain artistic direction from year to year. I was punk in 1995 and now I listen to techno. Let’s say I feel more techno than before. I’m attracted by harder sounds.
In terms of technique, even after 10 years of production, I learn constantly and every day. The technical evolution is so incredible that we must keep abreast of everything. it’s very exciting.
Tell us about your label Time Has Changed, the direction, style – is it easy running it? Do you enjoy it?
I am already very proud that the label continues after 10 years. It is already a good example of success. It was never terribly hard to handle. But I have to say that since damien – timid boy is dealing with it it ‘s even easier. It is a very club label, focused on the tech house. May be a little more than at its beginnings. I sincerely hope that we will continue 10 more years.
How did you hook up with Non Stop for the new EP? Did you contact them or did they hit you up?
Not to be really honest I noticed the label after a few very successful releases. I decided to contact them directly as when I sent my first demos 10 years ago.
Did you make something new with them in mind or did you just send them some stuff from your archives?
It is something totally new in fact. I produce enormously even if I do not really have time. But my way of producing (a lot of vst) allows me to be nomadic and also produce outside my studio. So I start pieces every day or almost.
What are you getting at with your new EP title, Ideal Feminin? What is the thinking behind it?
This is a secret for nobody but I love the female (lol) enormously. I find them as beautiful as they are complicated. After a few years of wandering. I can say that I found the woman of my life. It is to her that is dedicated this new EP.
How do you feel women are represented in dance music? Fairly? Are there enough of them?
Yes I think women have made a big breakthrough in recent years. At the time I started music there was not that much, apart from girls like ellen allien (one of my idols) or monika kruse for example. But now we see plenty of new talent emerging. This is very interesting because they have a sensitivity completely different from ours. I have a lot of fun seeing them play it be sonja moonear, anna, maya jane coles or me and her.
How many times when you are A&Ring for the label do you get music from women?
Honestly we really do not get much music coming from producers. It is rather a pity for that matter. But I think the genre of the label (very tech house) does not lend itself totally. This is also why I had launched a new ambitious project: thirll of it. This label wanted to be much more melodious. It may be time for me to restart it.
You release a lot of music – do you work every day in the studio making stuff, or do you only produce when you are feeling it?
As I said above I produce almost every day. In small doses. I often start new songs. I use a dropbox that allows me to synchronize everything I do on my macbook with my studio imac. The configurations are identical with ableton and many software vst. So it’s very easy. I also produce early morning around 6 am before the job. My greatest pleasure is often to start an idea, I always have more trouble to finish them.
What have you got planned for 2017 music wise, gigwise?
I have produced a lot in 2016, many things will come out. I also have nice collaborations. 2017 will be the year of my new live. I started at the kolorz festival in Carpentras in France. I then have many dates throughout the year.
