Wielki is a rising French electronic music producer whose approach to melodic techno is laced with atmospheric and dark undertones. We have the pleasure of speaking with him to celebrate his latest EP on Way Of House. We find out more about the artist, his sound and his relationship with the label….
Hi Wielki! Great to speak with you. How are you?
Very well, thank you. Glad to be talking to you.
How has your 2018 been so far? Any highlights?
2018 has started really nicely for me! I’ve just released a new EP, “Mania”, out now on Way of House. It’s basically centered around one eponymous track which means a lot to me. Otherwise, my EP “Empire”, which was critically acclaimed in France, was re-released in Latin America (on Universal Music’s Aftercluv imprint) right before New Year 2018, and it’s doing really well. I’ve also been working a lot in the studio these days. New tracks are due to be released soon… And in a few days I’ll be touring France with Joris Delacroix, to support him on his “Night Visions” tour. Quite a busy schedule!
We’re digging the new release on Way Of House! What’s your relationship with the label? How did you come to release on there?
Thank you. Way of House is a label managed by Delon and Joris Delacroix, whom both I met through my manager. They were the very first people to give me a chance by signing my “Empire” EP. The three of us are very close, because we share the same vision about electronic music. We regularly work together, production-wise; we also perform a lot together, in label nights or whatever.
In short, we share a lot with each other. Today, I consider them as my first musical family.
How would you describe your sound?
I dig the idea that each one of my tracks tells a story. My approach is always the same: to make people trip and dance at the same time. The club dynamics and energy are there, but they’re not the only ingredients needed as you also need emotion, a story. Nowadays, I’m quite comfortable creating epic, almost martial-sounding, melancholic sounds.
Were you always musical growing up? What inspired you to start making techno?
Absolutely. I’ve been composing music since I was a child. I started on the piano, then switched to synths and afterwards computer music. I’ve always felt, from my youngest age, this unexplainable attraction to electronic music, most probably because it was its innovative and futuristic. I grew up listening to Jean Michel Jarre, Vangelis then got into the French Touch. Techno came afterwards; it was closer to the type of music I wanted to make: something you can dance to, that brings people together, that is full of energy and emotion, and that you can mix and share while partying.
How did growing up in Paris affect your sound and career?
I’ve only been living in Paris for the past three years ; in reality I’m a fierce Southerner who grew up in Marseilles ! That being said, Paris has opened up a lot of doors for me. I’ve met fantastic people and was able to interact with so many artists. I think that living in Paris does influence my music, for two reasons: first, the prestige and the beauty of the city, which are very inspiring for producing,
and second the effervescence that Paris has been going through for a few years when it comes to techno.
Would you say it’s a great hub for creativity and making music?
For me, it’s totally the case. But I love traveling and there are many other cities around the world which are very inspiring.
What equipment do you use to produce?
I’m totally going to have a geeky moment for a minute! Mac pro, Apollo UAD Quad soundcard, master keyboards Native Instrument Komplete, Virus Access Snow, Nord Lead and Mikrokorg synths, AKG C440 mic, lots of plugins and lots of audio samples which I like toying with to create personal atmospheres and textures.
What artists would you say are your main influences?
I’ve listened so much to Jean Michel Jarre in my life that synths, themes or layers are often reminiscent of his universe, for me. As for techno, Stephan Bodzin and Vitalic are the two main influences for me, melody-wise, but I could list a bunch more.
Where is your favourite place to travel?
I’ve recently fell in love with London, where I’ve been spending a lot of time. I love its energy and its artistic open-mindedness. However, I like discovering new places so my list of countries, cities or areas I’ve yet to visit is still quite long.
If you could play your music anywhere, where would it be?
I really like performing in unusual places, outside the classic settings of a club. I’ve played on boats before, and it’s quite off-setting; also, I really like playing on the beach.
If it were possible and there weren’t any rules and regulations against it, it would be absolutely amazing for me to perform in a historical place (Versailles castle or something close!)
What does the future hold for Wielki? Any further goals or ambitions yet to achieve?
My next goal, which is really important for me, is to set up my first live performance. Even if I love mixing, and will continue to do so as long as possible, the story told through a live set and very different; it’s another experience.
Mania EP is out now! grab it here:
