My buddy EIKNARF and I had the opportunity to sit and chat with Jeff and Nate (Shuttle) of Passion Pit two weeks ago at their Phoenix/Passion Pit afterparty here in NYC. This is an impromptu/candid conversation as they look back at 2009 and what they have in store in the future.
Just remember that life is just a giant cactus and we are all woodpeckers just trying to get to that precious water inside…
My intern Sam was able to get in touch with 25 Hours A Day for a brief Q&A/Interview. Check out what 25 Hours A Day has in store, including another remix for Phoenix’s next single, “Fences”.
Asian Dan Interview: 25 Hours A Day
Who is 25 Hours A Day?
25had is me, Pierrick Devin. Some people said that my tracks sounds
like a band but it s a solo project. I did remixes mostly, so far…
How could you describe your music?
It s a kind of mix between indie rock and dance music.
What are your main musical influences?
When I was 15 I was really into “French touch” bands like Daft punk, Cassius etc… And at the same time I was listenning to pop bands like Supergrass or rock bands like Sonic Youth, weezer and Pavement. These days I really love all the DFA or DC recordings releases, I’m also listening to classics bands like Talking Heads, Liquid Liquid or
Suicide. I like some garage bands too : Jay Reatard is great, the Black Lips etc…
How would you describe your relationship with Phoenix?
We are friends. I first meet them when I was working as an assistant in plus xxx studios. We spend a month working on the mixing of their 3rd album “Its never been like that”, in fact I was patching some
audio gear, line up the tape recorder and making coffee and we became closer. They shared many mp3 with me, I discovered a lot of music thanks to them. One day during this period, they listened to a track I was working on and they really liked it so they asked me to remix their track “Long Distance Call”. I was really excited and nervous at the time. It was my first remix.
[audio:http://diestruktur.com/asianmandan/music/Nov%202008/Phoenix%20-%20Long%20Distance%20Call%20(25%20Hours%20A%20Day%20Remix).mp3]
Phoenix – Long Distance Call (25 Hours A Day Remix)
Classixx the 2 gentlemen responsible for that amazing remix of Phoenix’s “Lisztomania” were kind enough to answer a few questions about themselves and their music. They are definitely going to be a big part of my Summer ’09 soundtrack. Can’t wait for more slick feel good productions from this duo.
[audio:http://diestruktur.com/asianmandan/music/June%202009/Clasixx%20-%20I’ll%20Get%20You%20(Ft.%20Jeppe).mp3]
Classixx – I’ll Get You (Ft. Jeppe)
Asian Dan Interview: CLASSIXX
1. Who is CLASSIXX? How would you describe your music.
Classixx are Michael David and Tyler Blake. Our music is hard to describe, we tend to like the blend of organic and synthetic musical elements, a nice groove and soulful melodies.
2. What are some of your influences? What was your first musical memory?
Our influences include.. World Music, Modern Funk, Ambient stuff, Kraut Rock, Disco grooves etc.. I remember Seeing Paul Simon at the Rhythm of the Saints w/ my parents in 91′. I was about 6, thats my earliest conscious musical memory.
3. What is the goal of CLASSIXX’s music?
Just to reach as many people as possible, and to enjoy it.
[audio:http://diestruktur.com/asianmandan/music/Feb%202009/Meroz%20Exclusive%20Asian%20Dan%20Minimix%20For%20A%20Short%20Drive.mp3]
Asian Dan Exclusive Meroz Minimix For a Short Drive
Asian Dan Exclusive Meroz Minimix For a Short Drive Tracklist:
1. Matt & Kim – Good Ol’ Fashion Nightmare
2. Alan Braxe Vs. Dj Assault (Mash Your Face On The Speaker) (Meroz)
3. Meroz – Your Mood
4. Galactik Knights – So Much Love
5. Thunderheist – Jerk it (Nacho Lovers Remix)
6. Laberge – We Don’t Know
7. Grand National – New Space To Throw
Asian Dan Interview: Meroz
1. Who is Meroz?
Musician, Producer, then DJ
I’m not worried about having the “coolest font” or the most “Retro Look” Its more about putting out quality music, be it using a sample or straight raw production.
I’m not letting peoples opinions on what is the new thing persuade me in the style of music
I produce. I make what I am feeling at the moment or what is presented to me.
2. What are your biggest influences? What was your first musical memory?
My Family and Friends, Positive people as well. Good Books, Movies and Art of all kinds.
My First Musical memory would be strapping on a pair of headphones at a very young age trying to sing along to the radio at early hours of the morning. After being put to bed. After Finding out I was terrible at singing I decided to play percussion Instruments.
3. Who are your favorite producers/DJs?
Todd Edwards, Paul Johnson, Daft Punk, Sebastien Leger,Teenage Bad Girl, Neil Landstrumm, Fred Falke, Alan Braxe, Hystereo, Cassius, Air, Phoenix,Frankie Knuckles, Cajmere, Sneak , Rush , Skip, the list is waaaaay to long.
Basically anyone from the early to mid 90’s and the first french touch wave House or Techno.
Victor & Pierre of Housse de Racket were kind enough to answer a few questions of mine to shed some light on the epic pop rock that they create. Find out how they are connected to Air, Phoenix, Gonzales & Sebastien Tellier. Great guys and hope to see them on American soil sometime soon.
[audio:http://diestruktur.com/asianmandan/music/Jan%202009/Housse%20De%20racket%20-%20%20Oh%20Yeah!%20(25%20Hours%20A%20Day%20Remix).mp3]
Housse De Racket – Oh Yeah! (25 Hours A Day Remix)
Houssee de Racket Myspace
Asian Dan Interview: Housse de Racket
1. Who is Housse de Racket? How would you describe your music?
We’re two guys who grew up in suburb of Paris, city of lights. We met when were teenagers at music school. Victor was wearing a Pearl Jam tee shirt and Pierre loved it.
We play stadium music in very small rooms.
2. What are your influences, musical or otherwise?
We love black music especially Stevie Wonder, Prince and (of course) Michael Jackson… but we cannot sing like them so we play very loud with huge distorsion on the guitar and a double kick drum.
3. The French Music scene is at quite a peak now, where do you see it going and are you guys going along for the ride?
We started playing music when Daft Punk, Air or even Phoenix started to raise. We considered them as (hidden) older brothers… So, it has always been part of our vision of the french music.
Now, Justice, Yelle, The Teenagers, Soko prove that something still happens in France.
We sing in french so we’re different from these bands. The past few months we realize that it’s not a problem anymore… We recently signed with a big english booking agency (Primary Talent) and we plan to play worldwide !
Huey Lewis and the News, Billy Joel, R Kelly, Daft Punk and Rick Ross all on one playlist? Only the great and eccentric Gonzales could love and throw in all these artists into one playlist. Gonzales is apparently working with Boys Noize on some original music according to this Boys Noize x YouTellConcerts.com interview so look out for that in the future.
Fairtilizer: Gonzales Interview
Check out this Gonzales TV Interview after the jump, where he discusses the difference between Major and Minor keys and their role in European and North American culture.
“Major chords represent what is wrong with North America, it is a false optimism, a fear of reality and how hard it is.” -Gonzales
So Me (designer for Ed Banger records): You have an encyclopaedic knowledge of music, but you’re equally interested in visual arts. Where does that come from?
David From our parents. Our dad, Zaki, was a radio and club DJ, but, like us, he was into many things. He writes poetry, he paints, and, as kids, we went to pretty much every Michelin-starred restaurant and museum. We were really fortunate.
Stephen We’re interested in anything that touches you. But visual things, like sleeve art, are important. Growing up, I had a photographic memory of all the record sleeves in our house……
All music shared on this site is copyrighted by the artists and are only meant as samples, please buy their music, buy their merchandise, see them live, support them, tell your friends about them, love them, cheers.
