It’s not every DJ/producer who can boast hearing their tunes in the sets of some of the biggest and most influential artists working in dance music. And it’s not every DJ/producer who gets to see their name up in lights as the headliner, or supporting some of the world’s most influential live electronic acts. But France’s SebastiAn has done exactly that, and he’s been the name on everybody’s lips who have been craving the now massive French electro sound that’s been blasting around the world for the past few years. This notoriety would have at least something to do with his support of the enigmatic Daft Punk, on their world-defeating ‘Alive’ tour from 2006 until late last year, when the robotic duo finally made it to Australia for the massive ‘NeverEverLand’ tour.

But it was SebastiAn’s talent as a producer that earned him that massive support slot in the first place. He was snapped up by the notorious Ed Banger Records several years ago and since then has been massively in demand, commissioned to rework the tunes of everybody from Sebastian Tellier to The Klaxons, from Kelis to Rage Against The Machine. He’s even been hired to rework our own Cut Copy! For those looking for a definitive collection of his work, his new A Fine Selection of Remixes album collates together all his productions from past two years that have been dominating DJ sets both locally and internationally. ITM chats to “un maestro de l’electro Francais” who’s rising quicker than a Harrier Jump Jet.

First off Sebastian, I’ll ask this question; did I miss out on much when I didn’t see Daft Punk last year? Because obviously, the triangle thing is unbelievably cool.

Laughs

How exactly did SebastiAn get his start?

I first started when I got my first computer. I started working more on hip hop, then it became more focused on beats.

How exactly did you come across the sound you’ve created now?

Yeah, I’d say it was more experimentation, going from hip hop style tracks to more beat driven music.

The Steak album was certainly a change, were there many differences in production? Especially because most of the music you made for it was complimented with moving images

Mr Oizo wanted to make a movie and asked me to make something different. He just asked me to do something that had beats. Basing a lot of the material off of old French movies.

I’m going to go a bit fanboy-ish here and say Thanks for creating and releasing Dog on Ed Banger Vol. 3. That was an epic tune! How did that one spring to life?

Yeah, I really like to take apart different styles, including the ones I don’t really know.

What made you decide to compile your remixes and release them?

I really wanted to compile the remixes. This album has different versions of the remixes released. I did it more to have some material out before I release the album. Putting the cool remix album out, then comes my own personal album.

Do you reckon you could let slip some details from the new album?

Laughs Like?

Any possible titles? Similarities to the older stuff?

I’m aiming for a new style. I can’t really say much about it, I have to work on it a little more before I’ll release anything. It has to be more complete.

Is it a tiring effort?

It can be tiring, but I’m working more on composition and big noises so it’s expected.

It seems as though your music is spreading across more spectrums of media, with your remix of Kavinsky’s Testarossa Overdrive appearing on GTA IV, what’s it like to licensing your tracks to various outlets?

I’m not really sure, sometimes they’ll call and say “We want to put your track in a commercial”. That’s all.

The French sound is huge and has been over the last few years. Touring with Daft Punk, did you cross paths?

I met them on the tour, because of the remix [of Human After All they wanted to meet me after the remixes I released and Ross Ross Ross. We started to talk before their ‘Alive’ tour kicked off.

Any remixes in the pipeline?

I think the album will come before more remixes.

Live vs. DJing, who is the winner?

I really wanted to play live, my album for example playing that live will be great. DJing is cool, but live is much more personal.

Are you a fan of the festivals or clubs?

I really prefer small clubs, it’s closed, the people are more fun. I like everything, but clubs are better.

When can the land downunder expect another French invasion?

I will be coming back! I really want to come back, I had a very good experience in Australia, the people were great and everything else was great. I want to be back soon, so I’m thinking sometime near the new album’s release.

SebastiAn’s A Fine Selection of Remixes is now available through Ed Banger/Shock, and from all good digital distribtion sites. Expect big things soon!