‘Molly’ – the hottest tune of Miami 2012. Exclusive interview
Words: Dan Prince
Cedric – welcome to DMCWORLD HQ. Your phone must have been off the hook this last week, ‘Molly’ just smashing the DMC Buzz Chart – talk us through this perfectly timed tune…
“I have to tell you it’s been pretty incredible, after we had finished writing the track I started to play it in my sets and I realized right away that it might be something special by the way people were going crazy every time I dropped it. We then got a good friend involved to put together a video about Molly and we filmed and shot it in one day in Washington. Spinnin Records came in for the track before the MMW and we told them we were going to create this huge campaign (I don’t think anyone believed us). There were missing Molly posters, stickers, flyers with links to the video teaser, I even had an airplane banner it was insane, we were in everyones face and people started to recognise that something was happening, Pete Tong was the first to come on board and whilst in Miami he played it for the second time in a row on his radio one show and it was the Essential New Tune contender (now his Essential New Tune), it was perfect. When Madonna said what she did, it just seemed to take off on another level and then ‘everybody’ was interested in Molly.”
Now that the dust has settled, what’s your version of the whole Madonna ‘Molly’ Ultra episode?
“It’s been crazy of course, when someone like Madonna endorses your music like that then the whole world goes nuts.
How would you describe your sound today?
“I get inspiration from everywhere and I’m trying to do my own thing, I feel that a lot of people are playing and writing stuff that’s too similar right now.”
So let’s go back, a very privileged start to your musical life – your stepfather was a musician and owned a nightclub in the South of France – tell us about the club, what was the music being played?
“My stepfather was a musician he played a lot of rock & roll and jazz, and he taught me how to play guitar. My father owned the club and that’s when I fell in love with electronic and dance music they played a lot of techno and house music back then, Daft Punk, Laurent Garnier etc.”
You were 15 when the owner of the magical Queen club from Paris came down to St Tropez and freaked about your skillz. You decided to move to Paris, but had a bit of a false start there…
“I moved to Paris thinking it was my big break being offered the residency at Queen was amazing but literally as soon as I arrived the government shut all the clubs in Paris down due to drugs. It was a massive blow to me and I thought I had lost my big chance.”
How did the whole move to Miami happen?
“Well a friend of mine lived in Miami and when the Paris situation exploded he invited me to go and stay whilst the dust settled.”
What made you want to stay in Miami permanently?
“I fell in love with the city right away, I could see the potential for dance music to explode and it being a great platform for me to start my career more so than Paris at that time.”
How did the whole Space residency come about?
“It was my natural evolution in Miami. I played Nikki Beach then Crobar who at the time were the only clubs bringing big DJs to Miami. Then as Space took over they approached me and so I used to play as resident inside and on the terrace. That was the best thing that happened in my career it was a really tough club and I had my work cut out for me, week after week the biggest artists coming in and I was playing next to them all. It was great training and I got to meet everyone in dance music and most of my friendships in the industry started there.”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning?
“Actually I’m playing all my own productions right now and testing out all my new tracks. I’m enjoying writing and playing them to crowds and seeing their reactions.
Who is your best friend in the world?
“My father, who always believed in me and always supported me in everything I’ve ever wanted to do, when people thought I was crazy he kept believing and that means a lot to me.”
How was Miami week for you what were the big clubs that went right off?
“Miami week was amazing one of the best years for me personally and definitely Liv and Amnesia were crazy every night that week.”
What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
“Don’t get mad. Get even.”
Finest record you have ever played to a dancefloor?
“Back in the day, De’Lacy – ‘Hideaway’ (Deep Dish Remix)”
You once said, “I feel like I’m representing Miami” with every single flyer saying something like ‘The King of Miami’ – can you elaborate on that…
“I never called myself the king of Miami please lets clear that up, but I feel Miami has a special place in my heart and it’s home and Im proud of my city in every kind of way.”
Miami this year has been given praise and criticism. One one hand it has been given heads up for bringing IDM to America in a big way – on the other the whole underground / commercial debate has grown even stronger. What is your take on not only Miami, but the EDM America scene as a whole?
“There is music for everyone and whats happening in America is amazing right now. I believe everyone can like what an artist is doing whether its trance, house or techno but I sometimes feel that certain people can be too negative there’s enough room for us all.”
It’s your birthday – what 5 DJs do you invite to play and why?
Sharam – He was my mentor since day one and always believed in me
Sander Kleinenberg – again one of the first guys I met in the industry and a very good friend
Nic Fanciulli – a big friend and one of my favourite DJs
Luciano – my fave DJ of the moment
Laurent Garnier – he’s one of my idols
Nor many people know this, but Cedric Gervais is really good at…
Playing soccer
Down at DMC we absolutely loved your Ultra debut ‘Burning’ which Steve Lawler smashed everywhere – how did that deal happen?
“That was my first record I ever made, I was resident at Crobar Miami and I thought I’d play it for the first time and the A&R from Ultra was there. David Waxman he asked what kind of record it was and he went crazy for it.”
So we come back to yours after the club, what is the eclectic Back To Mine 10 you spin us to carry on the groove…?
“Ha ha… my friends usually get too smashed when I play so I wont let them come back to mine…”
What is the biggest crowd you have ever rocked?
“The beer festival in Serbia it was huge 85,000 people, totally insane
What is the greatest DJ set you have ever seen?
“Laurent Garnier in Marbella on the beach.”
What are the big summer gigs you are looking forward to?
“I’ve got some exciting Ibiza news but can’t tell you just yet.”
And finally – what is coming next studio wise from you?
“I’ve got a lot of new productions that I’m really excited about playing to people. ‘Molly’ is released on Spinnin Records on Monday and then we’ll be working together on some more new music throughout the summer.”
http://www.cedricgervais.com
http://SOUNDCLOUD.com/cedricgervais
