“I would like to trust that music still makes the difference…“
– Vadim Svoboda
Interview by Edouard “Dooks” Morin
Times are tough! New artists and new labels, it’s difficult to find the way forward.
A French DJ and producer based in Berlin, Vadim is part of the young generation of talented producers contributing to the regeneration of the French electronic scene. After several releases on Lessizmore: and Welcome To Masomenos, Vadim is back with a new EP, “SUPERCHARGED”, and this for the launch of his own label, makesense.
Vadim is back with a new EP, “SUPERCHARGED”, and this for the launch of his own label, makesense
Picky artwork and music, makesense is a concept which could help Vadim keep his head above water!
Hello Vadim! Introduce yourself, please…
Hey, I’m Vadim, 26 years old. My parents dumped me at the piano from an early age, and I’ve always played music. In the course of time I came to drum machines. Actually I suddenly clicked when I went to Ibiza, where I took my first slap. Since this experience, my beats have become deeper.
I really love music production because you have an easy control over all the instruments: from the first steps to the coating what is a bit more difficult with the cinema for instance, matter of my higher education.
A few months ago, you chose to set up your own label and you released its first EP called “SUPERCHARGED”. Why did you take this decision?
We set up makesense to get more visibility. We didn’t want to wait one and a half years before releasing a track. Moreover, it’s a lot of fun to run a small business! We’re going to bring some artists together, to produce music and organise some parties: what a pleasure!
I actually set up the label with a friend I met in New York, Jules Eugène, and running a label is a big creative boost for us; after all is said and done it’s the best way to finalise ideas!
Why “makesense”? (English name for a French label)
Jules found the name and I really love this expression. You know, everybody uses it in the US when you’re done with your speech. It just sounds great! Furthermore, it derogates from the rule of the French singer singing in French, but you know… .
The other half of the label lives in New York, where I started to produce myself and to play live. So we put the expression in one word, it makes it “Frencher”… makesense?
hardware, unheard-of grooves, attractive elements that you never heard before
Concerning music, what kind of style do you want to release on your label?
Rather than a style, it’s first a way of doing! We really love hardware, unheard-of grooves, attractive elements that you never heard before. That’s why there will definitely be diversified EPs and tracks: either the lower body won’t be able to stop dancing or the music will immobilise you in a horizontal position, requiring without doubt the entirety of your available nerve cells.
Then what is the guideline in your productions?
I appreciate tracks in which the groover is not wriggling out itself of a layer of loop, without making much of effects and as few samples as possible.
Concerning the piano, I really love Romanticism. In my opinion, it’s really important not to be garish, not to force the emotions. As a result, dynamics don’t disturb me and I’m not shy of submixing elements, starting with the kick! In each session, I recorded hours of audio machines, beatboxes and synthesizers. The use of hardware sequencers and machines – certainly a module that you can touch – is my main creative boost.
You succeed in associating an interesting concept with your label. Can you present it in a simple way…
The concept is really simple: it’s a ghost-tracks server called “Pirate” which is exclusively reserved for our vinyl buyers, who can then download collaborations, remixes and unreleased tracks. The tracks are chosen by the artist of the upcoming EP. He has carte blanche to share with us what he likes until the next release.
I should also mention that the more vinyl you buy, the more access you’ll get to the pirate catalogue, taking into account that the tracks will be presented randomly, some of them with a higher coefficient of apparition than the other.
that the more vinyl you buy, the more access you’ll get to the pirate catalogue
With the recrudescence of new labels, is the concept the only way to get out from the crowd?
I don’t think so. I would like to trust that the music still makes the difference, but it’s true that if you’re developing additional concepts, you do indeed have more chance to attract attention, to create interest around your project, to increase the reach of your music and, most of all, to have fun! Sincerely, at the beginning, I was in it for the minimum: music and that’s it; a beautiful well pressed weighty white vinyl. But you reflect: “oh! While we’re at it…” and suddenly one day a friend is speaking about design, another one about the internet, and so on. At the end, you’re just full of ideas, you get a new content, towards which it’s easier to be objective. For instance, it has allowed us to work with a friend, Hugo Denis-Quenec, a great draftsman!
All the EPs will be strictly released on vinyl. However, the last time you told me: “MP3? Why not! But later!” Why?
We get excited about the MP3 because it lasts. For that reason, it’s not so rare in the world of music. So at first we imagined makesense as a vinyl-only label. Since then we’ve changed our minds because it’s in a way counterproductive. In the end, it’s better to share music through as many media as possible. But things will probably change…
“Pirate” is our little way to encourage people to support the vinyl.
In case of a multi-format release, there will in any case be a long wait between the vinyl and the digital release. Furthermore, “Pirate” is our little way to encourage people to support the vinyl.
By the way, we talked last time about the problem of the jackets that split open when – during a gig – you put your vinyl hastily in its sleeve . What was your idea to remedy this problem?
Haha! Yes! We chose to include a black inner-sleeve lined with a soft electrostatic plastic so that the vinyl doesn’t tease the sleeve or keep the dust and damage the vinyl. Thanks to this solution, the vinyl goes back to the sleeve in total confidence!!!
We chose to include a black inner-sleeve lined with a soft electrostatic plastic so that the vinyl doesn’t tease the sleeve or keep the dust and damage the vinyl
“SUPERCHARGED” offers two music styles: one dancefloor, another chill-out!
Olala! The word “chill-out” has been mentioned! I would say three… “SUPERCHARGED” has been made without weak will of style! I was already finished with “Nuit Blanche”, more “after” in a way. I prefer the word “after” because I imagine people dancing. Concerning “chill out” music, it’s rather the spirit that dances.
I started to work on a new session, beginning with short pieces from the “Nuit Blanche” session, faster with regard to the rhythm but still mind-blowing and slow in its progression. The session was really long. I was working only on this one for a long time and was beginning to get fed up with it. So, I was soul-searching about the possibility of producing a simple dance track, as if I were always just searching to complicate things. One day, I just clicked “Save on File”; I cut all the sounds and I kept only the essential. That’s how “Part 1” was born. Its name, “SUPERCHARGED”, highlights the “catchy” aspect of the track, which contrasts with its minimalism.
After that, I reworked the original session to bring out more of its “trippy” side.
Which artists are the most likely to respect the guideline of makesense?
A maximum I hope! Actually, we’re looking for young producers with a strong musical personality! For the second release, we’re relying on Cristi Cons (a:rp:ar), a young Romanian, who has delivered us a brilliant three-track EP! Makesense002 should be released at the end of April! So watch out…!
Actually, we’re looking for young producers with a strong musical personality
In summary, why should we buy makesense001?
Just to play it loud and download unreleased tracks on the “Pirate Server”, in other words to get into the concept!
Did I forget something you would like to speak about?
Yes! Don’t forget to check out Jules-Eugene’s upcoming gigs in NYC, Celine’s (Sundae) little Paris quake starting wih the Malibu, Roman Azzaro’s new guitar setup, the 2nd mandat of David k, Bipolar ‘s 5.1 dub techno live set, the forthcomings bal taquin and Supernova Project parties, Varoslav’s label Rue De Plaisance & Seuil & Le Loup’s label Hold Youth! And the fancy music of the Chasse-Spleen, lovely duo. Also keep an eye on Dooks, Jason Lanox, Damien K Shari, KeyAll Records as well as Popcorn Records!
Don’t forget to get the next Rex Club compilation mixed by DYED including “Supercharged Part 2”!!!
Don’t forget to get the next Rex Club compilation mixed by DYED including “Supercharged Part 2”!!!
Vadim Is playing B2B with Celine at LA GARDERIE on feb 25th in PARIS
Facebook: Vadim Svoboda
Interview in French: http://www.crazyjack.
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