Space 92 has put his stamp on the techno genre in 2020 with a string of releases that have topped sales charts on websites such as Beatport. He has closed out 2020 with a two-track EP on UMEK’s label, 1605.
In addition to his tracks on other labels, he also runs Perfekt Groove Recordings which is one of the main outlets for his tracks.
We are expecting to see Space 92 headline many events once Covid allows clubs to open again, and took this opportunity to find out more about this talented French artist.
> For the people reading this who have not heard your music before, how would you describe your style, and the key elements that define it?
I produce trancey techno with a mix of the different influences that I got during my years of producing other styles of electronic music. My music always has some emotional parts with strong melodies and a lot of groove to the rhythm. People tell me my blend of styles is something that really stands out, and I’ve been told they can often guess a track is by me even before they see the ID, which I think is a big compliment. Having a unique sound is something that most producers want more than anything, so it makes me happy to think I have a recognisable style.
> Your most recent release is on UMEK’s 1605, could you tell us about the concept of the new EP?
The EP is two pumping tracks that were inspired by two sci-fi movies I love, “Dune” and “Blade Runner 2049”. I wanted to make something that was as epic sounding as both those futuristic movies, so I worked hard on finding a really powerful melody and some percussion that was really explosive.
> Could you talk us through the creative process of putting a track together, and list any specific equipment used to bring your sound to life?
Well, in the past I tended to use a lot of hardware from brands like Moog and Roland, but I’m 28 years old, and grew up with computers, so I actually feel more comfortable using VST’s and software programs. Nowadays, my setup is soft based including the Ableton Push 2 controller and the DAW Software with a lot of VST’s.
> How have you been keeping busy during the Covid 19 lockdown, do you have any tips for staying motivated with music, as it seems you have maintained a pretty steady schedule despite the pandemic?
Covid 19 has been a bit unusual for me, as although it affected my day to living negatively like everyone else, it has also been a time where I’ve had quite a lot of good news with my music career. I released my remix of Twins Project track “Bass In Your Face” in march which was the start of lockdown, and the track became very successful after going Number 1 on Beatport in the Techno Peak Time Chart. I guess the lockdown gave people more time for discovering new music, and I was luck enough to benefit from that. After that remix, I got a lot of motivation to continue focusing on my music, and then my next track “Planet X” made in collaboration with The YellowHeads got over 2.3mil streams on Spotify… it also spent seven weeks as a number 1 seller on Beatport. Recently a track on my own label Perfekt Groove Recordings called “Phobos” also had a Number 1 Beatport in the techno section, and in just a few months has had around half a million streams on Spotify. So yes, during this bad period I maintained a very strong release schedule, and gained a whole load of new fans, which has been a huge surprise that’s made me feel super proud.
> How are things going with your own label Perfekt Groove Recordings, which artists have you been most excited about signing?
After releasing “Phobos” in September, we slowed down a bit with releases on the label, and at the moment are waiting for the covid-19 situation to get better, but we have lots of things on the way with the label. We now get a lot of demos every day because of the “Bass In Your Face Remix” and “Phobos” charts success on Beatport. One of the most exciting signings was with Tocadisco some years ago, as I’m a real fan of his work.
> What is coming up next in your music schedule, do you have any other releases in the pipeline?
I will have a few releases with a very big label next year, but it’s still in the process of agreeing a final deal, so sadly I can’t say anything more about this at the moment.
> Could you give some advice or words of wisdom to any aspiring producers who might look to your music for inspiration?
Don’t try to reproduce what you hear from other producers, because at the end it will bring nothing special for you, and you have to find your own style that mixes all your influences.
> Thanks for taking the time to speak with us today, we like to finish our interviews with a couple of questions that are a little bit light-hearted… without getting to personal, could you tell us something many don’t know about you?
Thanks to you, it’s my pleasure. Of course, I love music, but also go running a lot, and every day I go out into nature, as this is something that brings me a lot of inspiration.
> You don’t need to mention names, but what’s the most “outrageous” thing you have ever seen happen in a club… was it something outrageously brilliant, like a blindfolded DJ mixing seamlessly and scratching with their elbows, or something outrageously cringe-worthy, like some embarrassing drunk person urinating on the dancefloor?
Oh yes, many thanks ahhahaha …. I saw someone drunk who took the decks with him from the DJ booth, and stopped the music playing right in the middle of the night. It was quite funny, as he didn’t seem to understand it wasn’t a good moment to take his decks home, and I was really glad it wasn’t me playing when all the commotion happened.
> Thanks for taking the time to speak with us, is there anything extra you want to add before we wrap up the conversation?
Thanks so much to you, I would like everyone to stay safe, and hopefully see you all on the dancefloor in 2021!
> You can pick up a copy of Space 92’s new release on UMEK’s 1605 from ... HERE …
