With a reputation that well and truly precedes him, Tim Paris is about to make his maiden voyage down under for two exclusive club shows this June. With the likes of Ewan Pearson, Damien Lazarus, Ralph Lawson and Mike Monday (the latter going so far as to state that “Tim Paris is THE man to watch in 2006. Stunning!”) all singing his praises, the Frenchman, who is now based in the UK, is hot property on the underground electro scene worldwide. ITM caught up for a quick chat prior to his departure.
After building up your reputation in Parisian underground circles, playing at parties with Chloe, Alexkid and Ivan Smagghe, you teamed up with Jef K and Olmar Fillipson to develop the infamous “Crack & Speed” label. What’s it like mixing with a DJ that has earned a reputation as one of the fastest rising DJs amongst the French house scene; Jef K?
Jef became one of my best friends with time. We have been partners for 5 years now and our relationship goes far beyond a simple ‘musical’ influence. But in terms of DJing, I have learned a lot from Jef… He is an amazing DJ! We always have a good time when we play together, even if it is a bit less frequent these days. It is nice to hear how our music matches even if we don’t play the same style!
What gives you inspiration for remixes such as your take on the rock tune ‘Future Now’, which was picked up by Ralph Lawson’s 2020 Vision and became on of the biggest underground tunes of 2004/2005?
I have always listened to a lot of music, but I would rather transpose other ideas or emotions into music. I would say painting, architecture and people are my main influences when writing a song.
Would you ever consider DJing more commercial songs such as those on, say, a Ministry of Sound CD, to get mainstream recognition, or is underground music more your thing?
My statement about music, and more precisely as a DJ, is always evolving, so it depends. I used to play more ‘commercial’ in the past. But the truth is I play songs that I like and I don’t really care whether they are famous or not. I believe underground electronic music is interesting these days so that is what I mostly play in my DJ sets. But once again, the boundary between ‘commercial’ and ‘underground’ is very abstract for me, it often depends on the sale only!
In 2005 you started your own label ‘Marketing’, again with Jef K. It’s pressed as “one to watch in the (very) near future”. Does it put you under pressure knowing that people are expecting your label to be a hit?
Not at all. Marketing is a very personal imprint where I only release a certain type of music. I am very careful about production and esthetics on this label, so there’s no room for pressure here. I just release a record when I love it and if it fits into our artistic direction. Marketing is not about making money or releasing a hit record on purpose. This one is really dedicated to the music and that is the reason why the covers are so simple. I would like people to buy it for its content.
How do you think Jef K’s contribution to your new label helped influence the music made?
Jef is very important because he has a certain form of objectivity which helps me. When I am working on a track I always need some advice from him since I can’t have a neutral feeling about it. I trust him whether he says it’s good or not. But I have a good bunch of friends with educated ears who help me a lot in the process of writing tunes. I have so many doubts always, I cannot help it…
What is your role in ‘Marketing’?
Marketing is my own imprint. I decide everything on my own from the artwork to the music which is released.
Are you still making music for ‘Crack and Speed’?
Yes, I released an EP on Crack & Speed a couple of months ago, which was called ‘Glissandi’, and I’ve just finished a new one with Tekel. It should be out in September or October.
Do you have a musical background behind you? If so, what instruments?
I played guitar in some bands during my teenage years. I’ve tried a bit of everything, from heavy metal to jazz and funk. Then I played a little bit of trumpet as well before getting seriously into electro.
Is Tim Paris your real name?
It is my real name.
What music does your CD collection consist of?
Well, I am more into collecting vinyl actually. I love a wide range of styles, everything from African music to funk, soul, rhythm & blues, blues, jazz , hip-hop and experimental.
Where is the best place you have played at?
There are many places where I had a wonderful time. Most of the time it is because of the people there and not because of the place, but I would say that my favorite spot these days is a club in Madrid called Mondo. My friend and resident DJ Gerardo Niva is in charge of the Thursdays and Saturdays and it always rocks! The crowd is fantastic there.
How does it make you feel knowing you are a loved and respected DJ across the world?
Thank you, I wish it was true! I am really looking forward to traveling more in the future. I write music for people to enjoy, and I am always glad when I am asked to go and play in a place I haven’t been before. It is a great honor to have people coming in a club to listen to you; I just try to do my best every time.
Are you working on anything new at the moment?
I have been doing a lot of remixes in the past months. I have just finished a remix for David Duriez’s label Brique Rouge of that fantastic tune from Mike Monday ‘What Day Is It?’ I’m working on a remix for Alexkid’s new single as well, his new album should be out on F-Com very soon.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
In Spain living in a beautiful house with my lovely lady and some children.
You’re about to tour Australia for the first time, what are your expectations from the trip? What sort of feedback have you received from down here on your production work?
I am really looking forward to it, I have had great feedback on my music in Oz and many DJs have compiled one of my tracks in their compilations down under. I just regret I won’t have much time to visit the country, so I hope we’ll have a good time partying and listening to music… and maybe I will get a chance to come back during the summer!
Tim Paris makes his inaugural visit to Australia this weekend, don’t miss him playing exclusive shows in Sydney and Melbourne:
Fri Jun 23 – Boobytrap at World Bar, Sydney
Sat Jun 24 – Honkytonks, Melbourne
