DMCWORLD exclusive! A Night Out never felt so good
Welcome to DMCWORLD towers Martin, fresh from Miami with a massive Buzz Chart entry ‘The Night Out’ with stunning A-Trak and Madeon remixes. Talk us through the tune…
“Thank you Dan, very happy to do this interview with you. Miami was an incredible experience and especially making my debut on the main stage at Ultra. I can’t really convey the feeling it gave me to be up in front of all those people – the weather was amazing and the crowd – one of the best! ‘The Night Out’ is the one track from the ‘Smash’ album where I deliver the vocals. I performed it for the first time at Pete Tong’s Radio 1 celebrations and he loved it, a great start! A-Trak then did a stunning remix that definitely gave me the idea to give it a proper release.”
Another brilliant video to accompany the track, you have always been interested in cinema hence you like to direct most of your videos – how old were you when the big screen attracted you and who would you say are your cinematic influences?
“I’ve been interested in films for as long as I can remember, writing film scores is something I have always wanted to get involved in and I’ve dabbled in acting as well. Wes Anderson is the biggest influence of ‘SMASH’; and I have a special interest for irony, 2nd degree humour that you can find in some of the Cohen’s bros or PT Anderson’s films. Other than this, I worship Woody Allen, Kubrick, Claude Sautet…the classics.”
Writing music in a secondary language cannot be easy, once upon a time you explained that as long as the words “weren’t stupid and made sense” you could get away with it. Are you more relaxed with your songwriting today…?
“You have done your research Dan – this is something I like very much! I wouldn’t say I am more relaxed with my songwriting, it’s just happened to mature I guess. Working with people like Dragonette has definitely helped me in developing my songwriting skills.”
Working with Madonna on her ‘M.D.N.A. album must have been a dream from you, she loves French film especially Bunuel, Godart and Truffaut – you must have got on like a house on fire?
“Ha, it’s true we certainly shared a lot in common and yes it was an absolute pleasure to work with her, she’s a true artist and the ultimate professional. We’re both very happy with the results and judging by the success of the album so far, it seems most people agree with us.”
Born in Paris, you are a clasically trained musician with a massive sense of humour! Tell us about the household you were brought up in. Where does all this creativity come from?
“I have no idea Dan. It’s not really a family thing in my case. My passion for music started early and drove me to other creative paths.”
What is your earliest musical memory?
“It’s a French song called “Il jouait du piano debout” made by Michel Berger. I was 4 but I think I can remember singing this in my mum’s car. My first LP was a cassette by a certain Michael Jackson called ‘Thriller’.”
You have one of the greatest artist/manager relationship in dance music – where did you and Gregory first meet?
“We certainly do, you’re right about that! Gregory Darsa and I have been friends for many many years. We’ve worked together for a long time and when the idea of LaFaille was born it was made only for Gregory. His ability to slip into and out of character is incredible and at times he can have my team and I in hysterics. He’s brilliant!”
You once stated that the UK market was “tricky” and it wasn’t until ‘Hello’ that things turned the corner for you here – why do you think that was? You were DJing here for a long time, simply a case of the great British public just needing a big anthem to accept you?
“The UK is a market that is difficult to understand as an artist such as myself. It’s very true I’ve had previous success in the UK…’Rocking Music’, ‘Everybody’ etc…and yeah, I was playing a bit some years ago. Times have
changed now and a big record will almost certainly guarantee you success, ‘Hello’ was that record for me this time around. I’ve had some amazing support since ‘Hello’ and a lot of that support is down to the people at
Radio 1 who’ve picked up my records, be it remixes or what. It’s cool for me right now.”
What is your current top 10 you are spinning?
Martin Solveig – The Night Out (A-Trak vs Martin extended)
Skrillex and Wolfgang Gartner – Devil’s Den
SHM – Greyhound
Calvin Harris feat Ne-Yo – Let’s Go
Lykke Li – I Follow Rivers (The Magician remix)
Madonna – Beautiful Killer
Laidback Luke – 1234 feat Chuckie & Martin Solveig
Knife Party – Tourniquet
BartB More and Felix Cartal – Cascade
ZEDD – Shotgun
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be…
“The fact I’ll always arrive late at a meeting or send back an interview by mail without delay!”
Tell us about the experience of convincing the organisers of The French Open Tennis tournament to allow you to film a fake video for ‘Hello’ in front of 12,000 people – funniest fifteen minutes of your life?
“They were amazingly co-operative and it was one of those projects that will remain special to me for as long as I’m alive. It didn’t take any convincing, I’ve been friends with the organization for many years, they were only to happy to accommodate. Having Novak Djokovic involved made it extra special, not forgetting Gael Monfils of course.”
Ibiza is hotting up this summer, every major DJ has his own plans to take on the world. Where will you be this year?
“This I am unsure at the moment due to my commitments with Madonna’s tour. I’ll spend much of the summer supporting her, and I am super excited about that. I am sure my schedule will allow me to make a few appearances like I do most years, but no big residency for me this year I’m afraid.”
When was the last time you went out for a pint with your good friend David Guetta?
“David and I see each other as often as we can, and as far as dinner in Paris goes…it was probably a few months ago. We’re friends, he’s a cool guy.”
So we come back to yours, what is the Martin Solveig Back To Mine 10 you spin us to carry on the groove…”
Madonna – I Don’t Give A
MIA – Bad Girls
Miike Snow – Paddling Out
Interpol – Untitled
Foster The People – Houdini
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – Man on Fire
The Black Keys – The Only One
Santigold – Disparate Youth
Lykke Li – Love Out Of Lust
Nico & The Velvet Underground – Femme Fatale
What is the greatest perk about your job?
“I think it has to be working with an incredibly supportive team, in Paris, London, The States and everywhere else. We’re all on the same page and everyone understands how the Martin Solveig project works, and of course
what doesn’t work. I really am spoilt when it comes to the team around me.”
SMASH” is a modern day masterpiece – a timeless album featuring some exceptional artists – what is the next studio project from you…
“I can’t answer this…I made ‘Smash’ without many people knowing and then suddenly told everyone I’d almost finished an album…works for me, pleases everyone!”
What is the finest record you have ever played to a dancefloor?
“I guess it would be Stardust’s ‘Music Sounds Better With You’.”
Did you ever tell Madonna off for the FBI calling you about the whole ‘Give Me All Your Luvin’ internet leak?
“Of course not, it was a very serious matter. It upset everyone working on the project. If you put yourself in the position of an artist is it truly the most upsetting thing that can happen.”
And finally Monsieur Solveig. I am getting married in a couple of months, you have a massive love of fine wine and own your own winery – would it be possible for you to donate a bottle or two for my big day?
“Of course, I always have a couple of nice bottles of red wine ready for great occasions.Congrats Dan!”
