He’s got Swiss house music rising up…
Welcome to the world of Yves Larock. Writer and producer of ‘Rise Up’, ‘Zookey’, ‘Girl’, ‘Don’t Turn Back’, ‘Until Tomorrow’ and countless more, this self-confessed studio junky is just as much in demand for his devastating DJ skills as he is for his music. A regular at the biggest clubs around the world, Yves has become a prolific force in electronic dance music. His early sounds were influenced by a wide spectrum of music ranging from house, hip-hop, reggae and electro all filtered through into his productions. In 2005 he joined an impressive collective of French DJs and producers who were beginning to formulate the ‘Africanism’ collective. Martin Solveig, Tim Deluxe, Bob Sinclar, DJ Gregory and more began collaborating with a host of African-based artists, their individual styles colliding to create an exciting new sound for the dance scene. The movement set fire to the house scene and introduced the name of Larock to fans who clamoured for more. Two new dancefloor hits ready to roll, Yves continues his rise to the top. Dan Prince speaks to the main man…
Welcome Yves to the DMC World. One of Switzerland’s biggest house musi stars, you began this path however as an MC/Rapper in the early days – so what artists were you listening to growing up that enticed you into dance music way back then?
“I grew up with Public Enemy, NWA, but it’s Daft Punk who made me move and really appreciate dance music.”
You once stated that ‘Around The World’ by Daft Punk was the track who made fall in love with house music, and ‘Whole Lotta Love’ by Led Zeppelin is the track that made you love rock. So what was the record that got you into Hip Hop?
“I think it was ‘Fear Of The Black Planet by Public Enemy – I love the power of the beat and the aggressiveness of the song. It touched be directly, even if I was a small white boy coming from Switzerland!”
Switzerland is not perhaps known for it’s producers or DJs – more so the clubs which have been firing for over 20 years. What were the early clubs that got you excited back in the day? And where do you like to hang these days?
“The list is long. I would start by my home town club Paradox, although in the early days though I was also going to the New York Caffee which ended one night with over 100 police closing down the club. I really enjoy going out to the MAD Club in Lausanne now – when I have free time (that doesn’t happen very often). I like going there also as a client to see the other DJs perform as MAD has really incredible artists. In the German part there is the mythic Kaufleuten Club were we head after a nice dinner at the Kaufleuten Restaurant for a Wienerschnietzel or a Zürischnietzel with some nice red wine!”
You are one of the busiest DJs travelling the world at the moment. Over the next few weeks you hit Brazil, Egypt, Austria and Russia – where this year has really stood out for you around the world? What new places have you found and loved?
“I don’t want to only mention one country because there are so many fantastic things you get to see when you are there. Of course the night in the club or festival is super important to me, but you know what I mean right? I always enjoy going to Armenia – the crowd is always crazy and so cheerful, in India I love the crowd but also I like going out to try some food – I always ask for very, very, very mild dishes and always receive super hot food, but I think that’s normal there. I love it! A few months ago I went to Kazakhstan and was really impressed. I try to do as many bookings as I can but without overloading because I need my studio time. Compared to other DJs I don’t accept that many bookings.”
How would you describe your DJing style?
“I obviously play house music, but my main goal of the night is to make the people happy. So depending of the place I’ll perform more commercial or in others more electro – and in some even a bit more minimal. I’m a bit a chameleon really!
Yves you once said – “I am a studioholic when I am not playing and I produce from dusk till dawn every day.” – is that still the case?
“Oh yes!!!! That’s why I try to not take too many bookings, I need my studio time. I produce 100% of my stuff and you know how much I release. Now that I have become a father I also split my time with the family.”
What are the big 10 tunes you are spinning right now?
1. Digitalism – Circles (Eric Prydz Remix)
2. Yves Larock – The Zoo (Original Mix)
3. Yves Larock & The Cruzaders – It You´re Lonely (Swanky Tunes Remix)
4. Dirty South & Those Unusual Project – Walking Alone (Original Mix)
5. Coldplay – Paradise (Fedde Le Grand Remix)
6. Deniz Koyu – Hertz (Original Mix)
7. Jesus Luz & Yves Larock Feat.Liliana Almeida – Running Man (Hard Rock Sofa Remix)
8. Tristan Garner – Overdrive (Original Mix)
9. Dada Life – Happy Violence (Kaskade Remix)
10. Arty – Kate (Original Mix)
Were you surprised about the worldwide successes of ‘Zookey’ and ‘Rise Up’ – or did you know you were sitting on monsters?
“Unfortunately not. No one can really say “this is a monster!” anymore. Sometimes I really love a track but when I test it in a club there is no reaction, so when I go back to the studio I throw it in the trash and do something new. Then sometimes I do a track which I think is maybe too minimal and the reaction in the club is great, so it’s really hard to know in advance. Before I released ‘Zookey’ I must have done at least 100 tracks, think about today, I must have made maybe 1000 tracks out of which maybe two or three may be big records. And then there is the location factor. One tune may be big in one country but doesn’t work in another. If any of DMCWORLD’s readers know the solution, please tell me!”
What is it about the whole ‘Africanism’ sound that beguiles you?
“I’ve just made two tracks for Africanism. Bob Sinclar liked my style of music which was probably influenced by my hip hop roots.”
What has been the best open air gig of 2011 and why?
“The Mawazin Festival in Rabat in front of more than 200,000 people was crazy – I don’t think I have ever seen so many people in front of me before.”
You were just in Delhi to DJ at the Johnnie Walker pre-F1 party – what was the reaction from people there when you admitted you knew nothing about Bollywood or the music!!?
“Ha ha ha! They understood!”
A massive record banging the dancefloors right now – ‘Viva Las Vegas’ on EGO. Tell us about the tune…
“It’s a funny story. When I was on one of my first tours of the US, I did two dates in Las Vegas and was bored in my hotel room after losing money in the casino and decided it was safer to stay away ha ha ha! I had filmed a few images of my tour so once I finished the video editing, I thought let’s do some music for this video and I covered ‘Viva Las Vegas’ by Elvis Presley. But it was just for fun really. My agent sent it around as a promo and a few labels gave an immediate interest. So when my friend Tony Sylla came into the studio a few weeks later we decided to work on the track. I sent it to EGO and they loved it, so that’s how Viva Las Vegas was born.”
What do you love about Las Vegas?
“Because it’s the only city in US where you can drink in the street! As well as many other things…”
It’s your birthday – what 3 DJs do you ask to play for you?
“Tony Sylla, DJ Tremendo and Ludovic B.”
Tell us about the success of your Millia Rock Radio Show – it is just getting bigger and better…
“Yes at the moment we have 15 countries broadcasting the show. My publicist told me last week that about 18 million people are listening to my radio show (or can) every week…that puts a bit of pressure on me!”
What is the craziest thing that has ever happened to you whilst DJing?
“One night I played a track and I emptied the floor in one minute. I think maybe I had just spun the worst record in the world or something. But it was ‘Zookey’!!! It was only later that someone told me that somebody had sprayed tear gas everwhere and that’s why everyone had ran for the doors!”
What did your parents think of your eventual choice of career? Were they musical?
“They where not happy because before I chose music I was working in a laboratory and they thought that music was not a real job. But now my mother is very happy!”
You have a very eclectic musical taste. We rock back to yours after a club, what are the ten Back To Mine tunes you spin us to carry on the party…?
1: Snoop Dogg – Gin & Juice
2: David Bowie – Let’s Dance
3: MGMT – Electric Feel
4: Michael Jackson – Blame It On The Boogie
5: Dr Dre – Nuthin’ But A G Thang
6: Tom Jones – It’s Not Unusual
7: Rockwell – Somebody’s Watching Me
8: James Brown – Sex Machine
9: Rick James – Super Freak
10:Otis Redding – Hard To Handle
What is the greatest album ever made?
“’Chronic 2001’ by Dr Dre.”
You have spent a lot of time on the whole social networking side of things promoting yourself and your work. In this obsessive/fanatical world that we live in, do you think it is safe for people out there to know their heroes every move?
“To be very honest I might be too old now and it took a lot of time for me to get into this social networking virus. It’s hard for me to really know what people want to know, I try to do my best to inform my fans and friends of the news, but if you are following me on twitter you will notice that I maybe write 1 or 2 posts a day, compared to many other DJs it’s really not much.”
What is the finest record you have ever played to a dancefloor?
“Wow it’s so hard to say, there are so many great tracks. I really love Nathan Fake – ‘The Sky Is Pink’ and in another genre David Bowie – ‘Let’s Dance.”
Have you seen any new DJs/producers we should be looking out for in 2012?
“I’d say my friend Tony Sylla and other Swiss young artists Fred Lilla and Alesso.”
You share your time between Paris and Switzerland with studios in both. Today though a producer can create masterpieces anywhere as long as they have their laptop. Where is the strangest place you have come with the secret ingredient of one of your huge hits?
“Nice question Dan. Usually the train is quite an inspirational place for me, usually there are electricity points which helps as there is no pressure of running out of power!”
What do you think has been the best release on your Millia Records label to date?
“It’s difficult to say as for me all the releases that come out of Millia are great tracks, tracks that I really feel and really like. So to mention only one would not be right…”
Okay then, which one artist would you really like to get into the studio and work with?
“It’s difficult to say. I like working with new talent as they have so many new and fresh ideas but on the other hand also respect a lot the music that say Eric Pryz does. I’d probably bring a singer into my studio, if her name was Adele I would probably be the most happy producer of the world.”
Not many people know this but Yves Cheminade is really good at…?
“Cooking. I can do anything from fish to meat, from starter dish to main to dessert – I love cooking!”
What is coming next studio wise for us all in 2012?
“I have two new tracks. ‘The Zoo’ and ‘Viva Las Vegas’ with Tony Sylla. I am trying to convince my manager to hit some labels for my new album as well, so watch out for that.”
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