The coolest DJ on the planet touches down at Ministry of Sound
Interview by Dan Prince
Dimitri, a very warm welcome back to DMCWORLD young man, where are you right now?
“At home Dan. And that would be Paris for those who still wonder.”
What was the first piece of music you heard this morning after slipping out of bed?
“The next track from my new Erodiscotique EP that I’m mixing at the moment.”
A huge night looming for London town on March 28th when you headline The Ministry of Sound alongside Chez Damier and Horse Meat Disco. Can you recall your first adventure into Ministry towers and your first reaction to the club?
“Very much so, as Ministry Of Sound was the first club I ever played at in the UK. It was on February 14th in the late 90s for a French Valentine night and I was playing alongside St Germain and DJ Deep. And I was very proud that I got a slot in the main room of such an iconic place.”
In a recent interview you were called a ‘crate digger’ and a ‘crowd pleaser’. How would you like to be remembered?
“A crowd digger would do.”
What are the 5 biggest tunes in your box this weekend…
Bob Sinclar Feat. Byron Stingily – ‘Love Is The Answer’ DFP remix (soon to be released)
Jackson Feat. James Yuill – ‘Love Love Love’ (Paul Harris Remix)
Chili Hi Fly – ‘Is It Love’ (Late Night Tuff Guy Disco Groove)
Donna Summer – ‘Bad Girls’ (Kon Remix)
Joey Negro Presents Fibre Foundation – ‘Weekend’
How was that gig in a prison the other week, your first ever steps inside such a building I believe…
“…and the last ones hopefully.”
When was the last time you pressed rewind and played a tune again because it was so damned good?
“I don’t repeat things, when it’s good the best is to linger for more till the next time. The best things in life become more precious when they are rare, and the waiting in between makes their occurrence even more satisfying.”
The last pop album you enjoyed?
“Bananarama – ‘Deep Sea Skiving’.”
True or false : your DJing career began with you putting an ad in a newspaper offering your services?
“True. I got my first DJ job filling in for a sick resident after I put an ad in a trade magazine. That was 30 years ago and things were a “little” different back then, as in every other person wasn’t a DJ. Oh and we were all playing records – not to look smart, but because there was NO OTHER option.”
There is a photo doing the internet rounds of Tiesto posing in front of his turntables whilst the crowd go mental behind him, the idea is a dig at DJs turning up at clubs with pre-recorded sets…which unfortunately does happen. It’s crazy isn’t it – thinking about what you are going to play, building a set, making the odd mistake, changing your mind last minute and slamming in an old classic, seeing the crowd going crazy…it’s why all you DJs got into this lark in the first place, right?
“If more people would actually care about what a DJ is doing with the music rather than just be content with him raising his hands in the air or throwing cakes around etc, – they wouldn’t be much of a market for DJ actors.”
It is your birthday. What 3 DJs do you ask to play and what club do you hold the party in?
“Horse Meat Disco, Derrick Carter and DJ Harvey.”
You are renowned for your connection to the fashion industry with your cat walk show programming. But you do not like the fashion world and the designers, you are more interested in style?
“Yes. I’m not interested in following the marketing plans of corporations on how to dress. I acknowledge the talent of most of the fashion designers, but I can choose my own clothes, thank you.”
Something you said a while back concerning fashion…“The British people have always had a lot of style, I could see this when I was a kid going to England to buy records. French people always used to admire that in England.” Really?? The English have always admired the French’s taste…
“Well, in France when someone leaves a situation sneakily we say he made an “English exit” don’t you say a “French Exit” in that case? Go figure.”
Not many people know this…but Dimitri from Paris is really good at…
“I’m pretty good at cooking yes. I’m the one cooking in the house everyday for my family, and I love it.
“I think a lot of DJS are finally realizing it is fun to have an identity”. Who are some of the DJs out there who’s image you like?
“I personally like Harvey, Tiga and Jimmy Edgar to name but a few…”
You always get asked about disco, you always get asked about your pals Daft Punk. Why do you think so few people ever went onto copy what they were trying to achieve musically?
“I wonder indeed why there weren’t that many sonic copycats. I think the bottom line is that most producers don’t know how to do it!”
One of Dimitri From Paris’s main objectives with his DJing is to break new music to people. When was the last time you did just that with a record?
“Not necessarily “new” as in just released but rather breaking a sound that is not usual, or deemed effective in a club. I’m quite proud of getting 70’s Disco tracks to work at peaktime in a club full of 2015 kids. That without adding any loud kick or anything electronic to them. So I would say my edit of Prince ‘I Wanna Be Your Lover’ nicely crossed over in a sea of very loud electronic beats.”
A club date your diary in 2015 you are really looking forward to…
“The next gig with my Horse Meat Disco buddies of course, and I’m looking forward to a new season of Glitterbox parties in Ibiza.”
And finally…any news from the Dimitri studio…anything new on the horizon?
“There are new Erodiscotique with DJ Rocca and Eurocrats with Aeroplane, EPs coming. Also remixes for Bob Sinclar, Holly Johnson, DJ Spen and Midinight Magic.”
***
MINISTRY OF SOUND SATURDAY SESSIONS:SATURDAY 28TH MARCH
STARRING DIMITRI FROM PARIS, CHEZ DAMIER & HORSE MEAT DIS
Ticket link:
http://www.ministryofsound.com/events/calendar/club/2014/11/26/16/40/150328-dimitri-from-paris
