Acumen Interview

How did you decide upon the name “Acumen”?

I found my artist name in the English dictionary. I was looking for a name that sounded good. And I came across this one. We can say that I was quite lazy I did not even arrive at the "b"

 

Where did your love of music come from and how old were you when you first realised you wanted to work in the music industry?`

Often music is a family affair. For example my wife has only musicians in my family. Father bassist, mother vilonist, brother drummer ... me this is absolutely not the case. But I listened to music very young with always my own tastes very asserted. I listened to a lot of rock and punk! My passion for electronic music came with clubbing. But to finish my studies as a pharmacist I had to go out less. I decided to build a label with the knowledge I had and people I knew. This is why Time Has Changed was born in 2007.

 

What’s more important, luck or design?

I think very honestly that it takes a bit of everything. Obviously it takes a hint of talent. Difficult to break through when making bad music. But you also have to meet good people at the right time. I am lucky to have a pharmacy job that makes me a living. I have less pressure with my music.

 

Do you have musical influences outside of dance music and what are they?

Completely and besides I can not listen only to dance. I need to listen to multitudes of things that also fit my moods. I can very well put myself from the classic to bottom in my car friends also a big AC / DC to motivate me.

 

What’s a normal day like for you? You seem to juggle a lot of different roles!

Exactly. I have a pharmacy and manage 7 employees every day. My days are long and rhythmic. I prefer to produce now early in the morning. I get up at about 7 o'clock. I make music until 8:30 am and then I go to work until 7 pm.To that we must add a lot of sport and my two children. It sounds a lot but I love that my life is full. I love the effervescence of a filled life.

 

One of your jobs is as a pharmacist; what do you think about drug use in dance music culture?

I know these drugs perfectly. It would be a lie to say that I have not tried it. And very honestly the perception of music is totally different without drugs. To give you a pretty funny example. In 2000 I went to see Vitalic live in a famuex after off the south of France. I had never tried drugs before. The live he did was for me a butchery. I did not understand it at all. Two months later I saw him in another club, and I was under ectascy ... I think it was one of the best nights of my life. And it was also that day that I really started to love this music.

But be careful, as a pharmacist, I do not encourage drug use. I know too well what its detrimental effects are. But it is an integral part of our techno culture.

 

In terms of how music is made, do you like to follow the rules or break them?

I really learned everything and experimented alone. Software, vsts, controllers ... little by little I made my own background. So I do not know if I respect the rules. I think I have my way of producing and it suits me well. I do not produce in the surroundings of other musicians as it is done in Germany for example at the riverside studios. It is undoubtedly something interesting and which I miss from time to time. Learn the tricks and tricks of each one to progress.

 

Do you ever get nervous before a performance?

I am completely stressed before each date. I do not get used to the world and the performance before the public. I am much more at ease alone in my studio. But once I pressed the play button I'm deep inside!

 

How does the process of creating music start for you?

I have a very nomadic musical creation process, my virtual instruments and my sequencer are always with me, with my macbook. So I constantly start new ideas. Starting from a template project I created for many years. I can start a song at the pharmacy and continue it in the evening with more material. It is very pleasant!

 

Do you think it’s important to pass on a love of music to your children? How do you do this?

I think it's important yes. But I also think that this will happen naturally without forcing my daughter or my son. They already listen a lot of music when they are at home. But what I like is that they already have strong tastes very different from mine.

 

Finally… Imagine you had to go on a journey with the Progressive Astronaut to a galaxy far, far away… and you didn’t know when or if you would ever come back. What 3 music tracks of any genre would you have to take with you on your journey?

Lou Reed - Perfect Day
The Clash - London Calling
ADA - Lucky Charm

https://soundcloud.com/progressiveastronaut/premiere-acumen-ideal-feminin-original-mix-nonstop

Acumen’s ‘Idéal Féminin’ is out now on NONSTOP
Grab it here - https://www.beatport.com/release/id-al-f-minin/1925297