Pause

Stunning new EP from one of our favourite dark and dirty dub techno producers

Interview by Rob Chadwick

France born but currently residing in Brussels, Pause is a producer on the rise. If you’ve already checked in with his pulsating and curious take on classic techno strands then you’ll know just what we’re alluding to, but if you haven’t then we strongly suggest you check out his recent outing for the Carton Pate imprint, which sees the main man deliver 4 cuts of quality-imbued sounds. We checked in with him recently to find out what makes him tick…


You’re from France, right? Was it a good place to experience electronic music as a teenager? What were your first experiences of it all?

“I come from Grenoble in France, a small town between the mountains. The city is amazing for electronic music culture. Lots of big French electronic artist come from there, such as Oxia, The Hacker and many more, and it was easy to hear good music if you go outside. I’m not sure about this first experience, but it was probably at the late Bar MC2 with Oxia. At the time I didn’t understand what the DJ was doing but the music was intense.”

You’re more into techno, right? How’s that?

“Absolutely and it will be hard to describe why! I think it’s all about feeling and energy when you’re dancing to it.”

And do you listen to house music too? Who are your big influences?

“I do, but house music isn’t my fave. I’m more into dub techno or dub. The technical aspect of music production become more and more important when I’m listening to music, and I love hearing a sound and asking myself “how did he do that effect/sound?”.

Do you think it’s better or worse than it used to be in France for house music these days? Or just different?

“I haven’t been living in France for about 3 years so the house music scene in France is mostly unknown to me, although I do know there’s a lot of UK house in Grenoble.”

So where are the best clubs to go to if we’re visiting then?

“Recently I played a lot at the Iboat in Bordeaux and the sound system is absolutely crazy. You can feel all the vibration of the sound system everywhere in the boat!”

So was that somewhere you’ve spent a lot of time? Or where did you grow up?

“As a Belgian resident I spent a lot of time at the Fuse, a great techno line up each weekend and the SOUND, I never heard something better. But there is lots of smaller club with good vibes. Brussels is definitely a good city to party.”

Have you ever considered moving abroad? Are you just as motivated and inspired as you’ve ever been within the French scene?

“Good question. As I already said I live in Belgium and my connection with the French scene only come from The Dare Night and my actual label, Carton-Pate Records. For me, the French techno scene isn’t has big has in Deutschland, Spain, UK. There’s tons of great artists but I don’t think they will have as success as if they lived outside with the same talent.”

Are there ever times were you struggle for inspiration then? What do you do in those instances?

The only way to get inspiration back is waiting. When I don’t produce a track for about 2-3 weeks I can’t sit at my desk and get something in less than 4h or maybe not but in the early 30 minutes you know if something will come out today or not. I wrote 2 tracks this last 3 days after a short time without music. Inspiration come with lack of time for me.”

And aside from yourself, what other French DJs should we be looking out for?

“Definitely Traumer or Roman Poncet is the best producer from France this last 3 years for me. So much groove/energy and inspiration in his music! I would really like to know how he works, and I’m playing with him on January, so I can’t wait to have him answer all my questions.”

So did you grow up with stuff like Ed Banger and Justice etc? Or who has really inspired your current sound?

“Yes I did, as did most of the guys from my generation but I don’t think it defined my sound.”

Do you go out clubbing much these days? Who was the last DJ/producer to really impress you in that regard?

“Tommy Four Seven at the Fuse, that was absolutely crazy, about 4 hours set from 2AM to the end! The soundscape of this guy is so interesting, dark and full of power.”

What constitutes success for you as a producer?

“Difficult question, and I don’t know if my production is a success yet but I learn new things every day. Techno structure look simple but getting a good groove for this 4*4 beat isn’t that simple. Each instrument has to be thinking to do not flood each other and stay simple to make people dance if they hear this track for the first time. As an answer I’d say experience is a great factor of good music production.”

So can you tell us a bit about your relationship with Carton Pate, then? How did the EP end up being signed there?

“Well we met for the first time in March 2013 with a party with Duke Dumont, good feeling with this boys and few month later I won a remix contest of the label. At this point we decided to collaborate for 2 EP. Great adventure with them, always available to get some feedback on production and they became my friends. A Pleasure for me to see this young label growing up and be part of this.”

Is there a story behind the music at all? And what’s the idea behind the unusual names?

There is a story about each sound, some of them are more melodic and some other absolutely not. But sometimes it’s more about inspiration about what I play in club, and I’d prefer use my song to get the same energy so I study the structure of some tracks and inspire me with this.”

Did the EP end up as you hoped it would? Or do you generally go off on tangents when you’re producing?

“I already get lots of support from big techno artist like Dubfire, Tiger Stripes, Traumer, TWR72, Sinden, BS1, Modek, Mark Star, Horse Meat Disco and many more so at this point, so I’m really happy with this EP. But it’s always difficult for me to listen to my track and don’t think about what I would like to set differently.”

If you could produce on one other label and with one other producer, what would they be and why?

“There’s tons of label attracting me, I don’t know, Soma maybe but it’s way too big! And for the other producer I’d say O[Phase].”

What’s next for you that you’re particularly excited about?

“This EP and the line up with Traumer by now and releasing my next EP with an other label is exciting, a new step into the unknown.”

And will you be making any new year’s resolutions?

“As every year I will, but I probably won’t keep them!”

Pause’s ‘Inertia’ EP is out now on Carton Pate Records