Gesaffelstein: The way I make music is natural and spontaneous

Ben Scales, along with a troop of resident DJs, runs one of east London’s least predictable and most enjoyable underground club nights, Potty Mouth Disco. Their parties are not always at ‘officially sanctioned’ venues, and probably don’t contribute to bringing about democratic change in the Middle East. But they do always deliver a forward thinking, hands-in-the-air music policy even Mugabe would throw down to.

Recently he interviewed one of 2011′s hottest tips in dance music, the French artist Gesaffelstein. Real name Mike Levy, Gesaffelstein is headlining Potty Mouth Disco’s Easter Special later this month, and is one of the freshest young techno and electronica producer/DJs around right now. When you hear his tracks you immediately know that a new talent has arrived. Hence why he’s been nicknamed ‘Brodinkelstein’ and people like Laurent Garnier, James Holden, Erol Alkan, Chloe, and Tiga to name but a few have been playing and supporting him.

Notion: When you were growing up in Lyon did you want to be a producer/DJ? What were your main musical influences in your formative years?
Gesaffelstein: It wasn’t a clear objective to become a DJ/producer, it came more naturally. I have always been very faithful to my first music influences such as New Wave and the electro from Detroit. Today, I’m listening to less and less of “entertaining” music. I’m not listening to music on an iPod in the street or in the tubes… And when I listen to a track that I love, I don’t listen to it a thousand times, I just need to go in my studio and I try to produce something better.

Notion: There’s been quite a lot said of the influences of The Hacker and New Wave in your music, but your use of vintage analogue synths sounds updated and innovative rather than an imitation of the New Wave genre. Did you see a gap in electronic / techno music for this kind of fresh take or is it just coincidence that your style happens to have kicked up such a storm?
Gesaffelstein: To be honest I’m using analogue synths just because the sounds are much better than on the virtual synths. I don’t know if I’m “creating” a new style of music but my music sounds different than what was made in the 80’s. Of course New Wave inspired me but I don’t want to re-create the same music or the same sounds today in 2011, it’s hard to explain…The Hacker has the same opinion on this question.

Notion: The way you use portamento/LFO in some of your tracks has quite mind bending qualities in a dark basement at 5am. Is it your intention to create dark atmospheric music people are going to go nuts for on the dancefloor or is this just your natural style of making music?
Gesaffelstein: It’s very natural and spontaneous, but again I can’t really explain to you why.

Notion: Listening to some of your DJ mixes reminds me of a few recent mixes by several Kill The DJ artists – impeccably chosen tracks, experimental and techno influences, constantly evolving, and with a few leftfield tracks you might not expect to work, but do work really well. Is it a French thing,l do you think?
Gesaffelstein: I don’t think that it’s a French touch. It’s just a matter of taste. I play records just because I like them. It’s as simple as this.

Notion: You’ve been DJing quite a bit recently with Turbo A&R man Thomas Von Party, and we’re really excited about having you both down for Potty Mouth in April. What can we expect from a Gesaffelstein/TVP combo on the 22nd?
Gesaffelstein: I don’t really arrange my set before, depends on lots of extraneous things.

Notion: What’s the biggest tune in your box at the moment?
Gesaffelstein: MMM – ‘Nous Sommes’.

Notion: What have you got planned for the rest of the year now?
Gesaffelstein: I made a new maxi called Conspiracy part 1 who will be released on Turbo around the 25th of April. I’m also releasing a new EP on my own label, Zone Records. it’s a collaboration with The Hacker. And also remixes for Moby, ZZt, and Depeche Mode – one of the best bands of all times.

Notion: Out of these two scenarios, which one appeals to your personality the most? Partying on a private yacht full of beautiful women who’ve all got ‘We Love G’stein!’ stamped on their tiny bikinis; or having a meal and a few glasses of wine in a good restaurant with close friends.
Gesaffelstein: The second scenario but without wine, I don’t like wine.