Feature: Joris Delacroix [Interview]

Hello Joris, I hope you’re having a good day and thanks for joining us.
Tell us about growing up in France, how did you find your way into the world of electronic music?

The Internet played the biggest part in learning how to make music. It was very useful to me for first learning how to produce, meeting other producers and finally getting my music heard and raising my artistic profile.

As a DJ my first experiences came from mixing sessions with some friends. Then I quickly had the chance to get a residency in the summer of 2011, it was very instructive to me because at this time I had the technical skills to play out but I didn’t really know how to communicate with the crowd. It allowed me to play better sets on my first gigs as a guest DJ, and I think that’s how I’ve been able to raise my reputation as a DJ and make it my full time job.

There has always been amazing music coming out of France. How has living there affected the music you make?

I think the main force we have in France is our ability to mix different influences and create something from this. In my case, I was first influenced by the "French Touch" house music, then I discovered a more minimal techno sound coming from Germany or the UK.essentially. I put a melodic aspect into it which came from my experience as a pianist, and I think all of those influences came together to make the music I do today.

At which club or event did you experience electronic music for the first time and what memories have stuck with you from that moment?

At the Bar Live in Montpellier when I was 18. It was not exactly my first time in a club or neither the first time I listened to electronic music, but I think this is where I really discovered the power of this music and the possibilities it offers.

The Bar Live was an after party. It was very special because after party places are usually small, but the Bar Live was welcoming almost two thousand people every morning. The music there was very underground and eclectic, it was very iconic for every clubber in south of France during the 2000s. Unfortunately it closed in 2009, but it’s still a very important experience for me.

You have a new single out on Hungry Music entitled ‘Time to Lose’ tell us about that and walk us through the production process on it.

This is a track I made in a moment of calm, when I didn't have many gigs. I always get worried a bit during this kind of period because when I don’t play because I feel useless. I used this feeling for find the main theme of the track, which came pretty fast. But it took some time to find the right formula overall. I tried a lot of things with those 4 chords but without success. I found the solution with putting this theme in a moog, and a happy accident from a midi bug made a small cut between ever chords which I found really cool. After this, producing the rest of the track was quite easy.

It’s your first release on the label who have quite a good reputation from their releases with N'to and Worakls. Why did Hungry Music feel like the right home for ‘Time to Lose’?

I have known Worakls and N’to for years. We had remixed each other a few times in the past but I never had the opportunity to do something on their label before. Hungry Music was an obvious choice because I know them, they work very well and the artistic direction is based on melodic house and techno which is exactly what I produce. And I also knew that a lot of people who enjoy my music are really into Hungry Music's crew as well. I’m really happy they allowed me to join them, we made a great release together.

Let’s talk a bit about production, what was the first program/software that got you started?

Well, I first learned to produce with FL Studio. Two years later I bought my first Mac and I started producing with Logic Pro. Sometime after that I learned how to use Ableton Live when I started to play as a live act, and for 4 years to now I produce with Cubase which I've found more stable and complete than Logic.

What’s a piece of gear that always gets used when you’re writing a track? Tell us what’s in the Joris Delacroix studio present day.

In my latest productions you can always hear a Moog (essentially Sub37 but also One and Voyager) and a Prophet6. I still use my Virus TI alot, which was the first hardware synth I ever bought, and also my Nord Lead 4 still gets quite a bit of use as well. I have more in the studio but this is what I mainly use.

What are 5 big tracks you’re currently playing right now?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eaATMbvxP8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NusPL1HJoMo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzSFCMUBZYY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_MEXSaZBNA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5ceVof1ebc

If you weren’t making music, what can you imagine yourself doing for a living? Any hidden skills that might surprise us

Honestly, I don’t know. Before I found my way into electronic music, my last job was making hamburgers at McDonald’s, so I guess if a career in music didn't work out, I’d still be there. Maybe I’d be manager by now!

What can fans expect for the remainder of 2019? And what festivals will you be playing this summer? Anything you can share with us?

Summer 2019 has not been very busy for me. I do some gigs mainly in France, but not much in terms of big festivals, more clubs or our small outdoor venues. I’ve made a big live tour in France last year when I released my album. This year I want to keep it cool and make new music, that’s what I already started to do with "Time To Lose". I plan on releasing some new stuff after summer, and if all goes well, summer 2020 will be much more exciting!

Latest Joris Delacroix release 'Time To Lose' on Hungry Music is out now!
Download: Link