Interview: CHLOÉ talks remixing Pantha Du Prince and more

Parisian DJ, producer, composer, and label owner CHLOÉ has had a particularly fruitful and impressively consistent career up to now, releasing several studio albums, scoring for film, and running her own label to great effect.

Alongside releasing her productions on club music imprints such as Diynamic, Permanent Vacation, and BPitch, she’s also pushed tracks from the likes of Zillas On Acid, Inigo Vontier, and Sutja Gutierrez via her Lumiere Noire Records imprint.

We had a brief chat with the French artist to talk about her recent remix for Pantha Du Prince’s ‘Crystal Volcano’, her approach to working on remixes versus an original project, and her plans for the near future. Read the full interview with CHLOÉ below.

Hi CHLOÉ, how are things for you in Paris at the moment?

There’s so much going on around the world at the moment, climate change, the conflict in Ukraine, global warming, the Iranian regime. It makes it hard to only be able to think about music most of the time.

You recently remixed Pantha Du Prince’s ‘Crystal Volcano’ for Modern Recordings, how did you approach that one in the studio?

Henrik and I have known each other for a long time, and we often see each other at festivals and events. I love his singularity, deepness, and the way he uses acoustic elements in his electronic productions.

I was delighted to remix ‘Crystal Volcano’, taken from his latest album. I wanted to use a lot of his original elements, but only some of them, accompanied by my own, to turn it into my own version. I used the textures of the marimbas with reverb and kept some synths and staccato effects. It was a particularly smooth way for me to work on this remix, probably also because we know and appreciate each other.

And is your approach to remixes much different to working on original music?

I like to make remixes as much I like to make my own music, but the two aren’t the same. For a remix you work with a deadline, which is good, so that you’re sure to deliver some music. But it’s not really your own music. You also work from sounds taken from the original version, select what you keep, remove some sounds, make changes, or add elements to make the track your own. 

Remixing takes me out of my own narcissism, and sometimes helps me to step back from my personal work, which is a positive. I like the idea of finding a balance between respecting the original version and going with my own interpretation, depending on the material of the original track. Sometimes it can be difficult to recognise the original version.

In the past you’ve also signed music to Permanent Vacation, Lumiere Noire Records, and Diynamic, what attracts you to want to sign music to a certain label?

The chance to play with and meet other artists, other labels, that’s how a network and friendship is created. We remix each other, or release EPs on our respective labels. Lumière Noire is my label, so it’s easy to release anything I wish. 

Regarding Diynamic, I’ve known Solomun for a long time and he’s invited me to play at his party at Pacha, Ibiza 3 times, we spoke a few times about releases, and in the end I sent an EP, so let’s see what happens!

Permanent Vacation are long-time friends, I’ve done remixes and EPs with them, and they recently just released our album with Ben Shemie titled ‘The Call’, under our joint alias ‘High Season’. Not as many people know about this project of mine, I have quite a few things going on, as it’s not always just electronic music, but the arts too.

Which other imprints might we see you on soon?

Now I am working on some new music, I don’t know yet who it will be for, who knows. I have some other remixes coming soon too. Also, touching on some of the more art focused projects I have done, one of those is a soundtrack to a movie, and the next one to be released is for a Chilean movie called ‘Blanquita’ by Fernando Guzzoni – to be released this month. It’s a stunning Spanish film about an 18 year old called Blanca, who was the key witness in a scandal involving kids, politicians, and rich men taking part in sex parties.

Who are some of your favourite Parisian artists right now?

There is a lot of cool music coming out of Paris, but also France in general. I like Nicol who released his ‘Analogue Vertigo’ EP on my label. Also, my friends Il est Vilaine – their live act is very nice. You Man, as well as Danse Alice, who has just released ‘Seagull & Horses’ with us too. So, there are a few for your readers to have a listen to, if they are not yet familiar.

We’re currently at the end of summer and festival season, what big events did you most enjoy attending and playing at this year?

I have played a lot this year and worked on some great projects and remixes, so honestly, I took a break this summer, which was needed. Family first and then I am back full time in Autumn.

Is there anything else you want to bring attention to before we wrap things up?

We released a third edition of our label compilation ‘From Above’ on Lumière Noire Records. it includes a labyrinth of sounds and moods, going through cinematic music (‘Star Glide’ by Damien Vandesande, member of dOP), pop reminiscence (‘Gradus Ad Parnassum’ by Vega Voga, a new project from Narumi Herisson and Tristesse Contemporaine, synthetic dystopia (‘Lost Boys’ by Ian Tocor & Joseph Schiano di Lombo), to a more Carpenter’s style like ‘Correct Settings’ by the Brazilian musician and producer Frontinn.

40 Questions: Ramon Tapia

Photo credit: Sarah Makharine