I started with “Spinal Scratch”, an infectious tune from Thomas Bangalter, and since then have become infatuated with one of his musical outlets-Roule Records.
Many of the artists represented on Roule have helped to define the current French House sound. These include Romanthony, Stardust, Roy Davis, Jr., DJ Falcon, Alan Braxe, Together and Mr.Bangalter.
Viva la France,
DJ Phantom
My favorite Australian guys are back on the blog!
As a duo Northie & Benson have been producing some phenomenal tracks (their “Sandstorm” remix has been played many times in my DJ sets). Individually, they each hold their own style and stand out as fresh, young, top-notch DJ/producers.
This time I’ve got a Brain Matters remix of an Art vs. Science track + A Northie remix of Sam Little + A Benson remix of M.I.B.!!! (yes, the Will Smith movie).
Parlez Vous Francais (Brain Matters Bootleg).mp3
M.I.B (Benson Bootleg).mp3
These guys are now a part of the Trouble Artists Agency(check it out here), gettin’ down in clubs across Australia! Look out for a Trouble Artists featured on Disco Droppings very soon..
DJ Phantom
His takes on some big tunes such as The Youth (MGMT), Drummer (Boys Noize), and Nightcall (Kavinksy’s latest single!) have put MMMatthias way up there for me in terms of Producer/Remixer peoples!
Here’s a taste of what he does..
I was “high as a kite” after he agreed to do a little virtual interview. 
Interview.
1. How were you first introduced to electronic music?
Through older friends. When I was 12-13, I always hung out with guys who were 15-16 and some of them were into DJing and they showed me all kinds of electronic music like Prodigy, Chemical Brothers, Daft Punk (to name the biggest ones). Strong influences were radioshows at that time, since I was too young to enjoy parties by myself…I stayed up all night in front of my radio, recording whole broadcasts on cassette until 6 in the morning.
2. As a DJ, I’m constantly looking for new music and interesting remixes to play for my friends at shows..yours are some of the most interesting to me, what’s your approach when it comes to producing?
Concerning bootlegs, I decide spontaneously. Depends on how much I like the track and the artist and how much sense a bootleg would make in a promotional way. For remix inquiries, it just depends on how much I like the track. It doesn’t matter to me if the artist is still small or famous…but unfortunately there’s not always the time
to perceive every inquiry I’d like.
3. Currently, who are some of your favorite artists?
I recently listened to Toro y Moi, some Gui Boratto stuff, enjoyed the Breakbot EP, but also loved some of the releases from Sound Pellegrino. Of course tons of other stuff as well!
4. Any big plans for the rest of 2010?
I’m starting a Party (“La Boom”) in my hometown Trier in Germany together with my friends dAi and ManooZ, got touring plans for Australia with Trashbags and a lot of releases coming! You can check my Myspace (www.myspace.com/mmmatthias) and Facebook pages for updates (http://www.facebook.com/pages/MMMatthias/124606589
723?ref=search&sid=1250649686.2618240901..1)!
Keep it movin’,
DJ Phantom
I was into this guy’s set at Zippy’s Java Lounge in Everett, Washington-He sent over his album entitled “Awful”, and I have a few tracks off that for ya’ll.
Ice Cream Antisocial.mp3
Claude.mp3
Interview.
1. You’ve just finished an album, congratulations! Was there a overall theme or mood you were going for with this release?
Thanks! I don’t know if there was really a theme, at least not one I had in mind. 8 of the tracks were made in a relatively short span of time, so I think they just came out being consistent for that reason. The other 2 (the tracks called Claude and Ms. Inose) are older (maybe like half a year old) but I used them because I really felt good about them. So, generally speaking, I was in the same mindset while programming the whole thing. I guess that’s as close to a theme as I got, just hearing a certain thing in my head and trying to tap into that.
2. How were you introduced to electronic music?
I guess electronic music was always around me (crazy synth in Reading Rainbow, car commercial music, NES music, et cetera), but the first time it was really called to my attention as an entity of its own was when I was maybe 11 years old. My cousin had some “techno” CDs and I listened to one song, and it was just kind of dumb stuff. I’d probably dislike it now, too. Cheesy samples and stuff. A little after that, an older guy (well, he was like 15) I really looked up to at my church gave me a CD by Joy Electric, but my mom didn’t like it, so I wasn’t allowed to hear it haha. When it actually became accessible was when I found out about Fighter X, he played shows in my little town and stuff. That’s when I got actually interested.
3. Currently who are some of your favorite artists?
I guess I’ve been really into DODDODO for quite a while. She’s really awesome, and I still haven’t burnt out on her stuff for quite a while. The other electronic stuff I’ve been into the most is Maruosa, Sphyramid, Saskrotch, and Abortifacient. Also Albatrosicks, a really over the top J-pop band. Non electronic stuff I like a lot right now is Cibo Matto, Rin Toshite Shigure, nhhmbase, Ghosts and Vodka, and I guess I just got back into the Smashing Pumpkins haha.
4. What do you love about music?
That’s really tough! It’s not something I have really thought about, I guess. It’s just something I have to do, I guess, because that’s how my brain is wired. Playing music is kind of like problem solving for me, I guess. putting everything together in a form that feels “correct,” even though that’s totally subjective. Then when I’m happy with it, I can share it with other people. It’s a challenge for myself, and it’s both public and private. So, those are things I really like about it.
5. Any last words?
Nothing really comes to mind, I guess. I think I already said too much haha.
DJ Phantom
dd 