Yep, it’s been a steady race to the top for the France’s Ed Banger crew. Guided by the experienced hand of label owner and former Daft Punk manager Busy P, and responsible for massive names like Justice, Mr Oizo, SebastiAn and Kavinsky and many more, they’ve certainly put French dance music back on the map. Heck, they’ve pretty much taken over the map.
But the reign of Ed Banger is coming to an end. Right now. Courtesy of the label’s youngest star Surkin, the 20-year old prodigy who’s responsible for the speaker-destroying hit from last year Radio Fireworks. He’s been making waves since in the French music scene since he was only a teenager; since before he was allowed to drink. Oh, the horror. “So I know everything. And I remember everything,” he tells ITM. “So many stories. I know who puked in Thomas Bangalter’s mask on New Year’s Eve. I could topple the whole French dance scene just like that.”
Just imagine the shameful stories of debauchery that he’d have to tell? Surkin will be back in the country soon for the Good Vibrations Festival, and here he talks to ITM about French electro, his second tour of Australia in less than 12 months and his plans to bring his country’s electronic music scene to its knees.
Let us go back to where it all started. You were studying contemporary art at one stage, and then gradually made your shift into the musical realm. How did it all start?
When Radio Fireworks came out, I got a bunch of gigs in France and my first remix offers. I had less and less time to devote to school. I had to choose and that’s what I did. I don’t think there are any similarities or whatever linking what I did then and what I do now, though.
Up until 2003, you were quite the fan of rap…. Then began to make your way into dance music. What brought the change on?
Rap was getting more and more ‘electronic’ by the second. The synthetic sounds I didn’t like at first grew on me. Then I got into ghetto house, which was basically a halfway house of sorts. You put in a rap fiend and you get out a house fiend.
The last few years has seen French dance music establish itself as a strong sub-genre of its own, with Justice and Daft Punk arguably leading the charge. And going back a bit further, even the likes of Cassius. Do you see yourself as part of that, or do you think you’re making waves of your own?
I’m part of it of course, it would be pretentious to pretend otherwise. But to each his own and everyone is doing his own thing with his own style, and so on and so forth. But you know what’s more important: I’m fifteen so I don’t drink. So I know everything. And I remember everything. So many stories. I know who puked in Bangalter’s mask on New Year’s Eve. I could topple the whole French dance scene just like that.
Radio Fireworks was a dance floor monster last year, and was one track that made a bit of a crossover into the mainstream. Was it a conscious decision, or one that just happened?
I’m happy with what happened but it’s still pretty smalltime, you know, for the ‘heads’ or something. I wasn’t planned at all, that’s what makes it so great that all those guys played it.
I’ve had a listen to White Knight Two from the new EP Next of Kin. Great sound, and it looks like you’ve made a shift in recent times to a touch slower, sexier, and housier than before… What brought that on?
I’m very influenced by what I listen to at any given moment, and recently I’ve been deep into nineties house. But you know, there are so many sounds out there. Gamelan anyone? Nineties house is but one direction I’d like to check out. On the EP alone there are two others.
You’ve worked with some solid names in your time, and played to some pretty big festivals. What’s been the highlight? Anyone else you haven’t as yet – but want to work with?
The highlight… probably playing after Thomas Bangalter at the Institubes vs. Ed Banger Xmas Party last year. Was pretty cool. There are many people I’d like to work with. I just got remixed by Todd Edwards and Blaqstarr for instance, one being one of my all-time heroes and the other being one of the best Baltimore producers around. Very proud of that.
Your collaboration with Bobmo as the ‘High Powered Boys’ – how’d that come about?
Bobmo is one of my dad’s ‘strays’. My dad has that thing where he likes to take in lost street kids and get them back on their feet before releasing them in the wild. Bobmo and I were pretty good friends while he was living with us. After he moved out, we kept in touch via MSN. One day he sent me some stuff he was working on, I added to it, structured it a little bit then sent it back and that was it, High Powered Boys were a go. Sounds Of Cain featured our first two tracks, Hoes Get Down and Up Down, and it’ll be out soon on Institubes. The follow-up is almost done.
You’ve been known to rip up a club with the best of them. You’re heading out to Australia for the Good Vibrations festivals; after being here midway through 2007. What can we expect this year?
I might bring some fireworks, a couple of albino big cats, one or two lady friends with acrobatic capabilities. Plus, you know the short feral dude from Prodigy? With the dayglo lenses? That guy.
What’s your word on Australian crowds? Anything unique about us?
Madness. That’s my word for you guys. All the parties I played here were borderline scary, with girls exhibiting some fascinating behavior. Really intense.
It seems like you’ve achieved quite a bit in your time, and you’re only 20 years of age. Impressive to say the least. Where to now for Surkin? What’s the plan for 2008?
My first album! Thanks for your time!
Catch Surkin at the Good Vibrations Festivals around the country, as well as a few select sideshows…
Feb 8 – Platinum, Gold Coast
Feb 9 – Good Vibrations, Melbourne
Feb 9 – Prince, Melbourne
Feb 10 – Good Vibrations, Brisbane
Feb 15 – Electric Circus, Adelaide
Feb 16 – Good Vibrations, Sydney
Feb 16 – Tank, Sydney
Feb 17 – Good Vibrations, Perth
And check out this unofficial clip for Radio Fireworks!
middyjones says...
surkin cranks it hard
chopsy says...
institubes. benoit is king
Dan Robson says...
"But the reign of Ed Banger is coming to an end. Right now. Courtesy of the label’s youngest star Surkin..." Isn't Surkin on Institubes...? He is wearing an institubes T-shirt in the photo... Kavinski isn't on Ed Banger either, he releases through Record Makers. Anyway he'll be good next week at GV
ghettominger says...
I set up a new account to say something, I now realise Dan sums up my thoughts well in reference to Ed Banger Surkin aint Ed Banger