“Never ask Dimitri from Paris what he is going to play prior to a set, he doesn’t know, and always lets the crowd inspire the moment...”
Well we all know no artist reveals his act before the performance but to put it in writing on an official press release is quite amusing.
“So you already have the answer,” laughed the French DJ and producer, born Dimitrios Yerasimos, over the phone. “Honestly I don’t. Every place you go — even if you’ve played there ten times — there’s always going to be a combination of things, whether it is the mix of people or the atmosphere or if it is the full moon or it isn’t, that is going to make the night unique. So I’ve learnt that even after 30 years of DJing, you can’t take things for granted. You have to come with an open mind. I can, however, tell you there will be disco.”
The 52 year old known for the 1970s funk and disco sounds that created today’s house music and original soundtracks from the movies of ’50s and ’60s, will take the stage at Madinat Jumeirah nightclub Pacha Ibiza on Friday, May 8. With an illustrious career behind the decks, Yerasimos, is one of the first artists from the electronica music field to receive the rank of Knight of the Arts and Letters from the French government in 2005, along with Air and Cassius. He has remixed artists such as Björk, the Cardigans, James Brown, New Order and Quincy Jones but it was his 1997 album Sacrebleu that brought him into the top 10.
Excerpts
You’ve had a career spanning over 30 years, what are the changes that you have seen in the field of DJing?
Music was very ‘musical’ with a lot of notes, quotes and events in them, and dance music evolved, stripping everything that was, like, 100 per cent efficient. It’s gone down to being just a beat nowadays. I think everyone wants to get straight to the point fast [which] kind of makes for a very monotonous mix. I’m trying to make it a little more eventful and cheerful. I’m always championing the disco vibe because it was the essential dance music 40-50 years ago and mixing elements from that with more modern sounds, has helped [me] achieve a sound which is more playful.
As far as technology is concerned, yes, I started playing records on turntables but I’m now using a computer. So it’s a big change from when I started. But technology is just tools and you can’t forget they only facilitate. That’s why a lot of guys can now DJ without developing any skill. Yet the crowd can still tell the difference between someone who’s skilled from someone that isn’t, even if he uses the same equipment. I’m quite happy with the skills I’ve developed over the course of my long career and I think they are essential to the way I do my sets. It’s much more about programming and getting the right music out at the right time than how you play the music — be it from the computer, a turntable, a CD, from an mp3. What’s essential is the kind of vibe you will create when you are behind the decks.
In the light of these changes how have you seen your own music change?
Honestly, my music hasn’t changed. As I said, I’m trying to keep that thing going and as there are less and less people doing it, I do more of it. Of course I’ve changed quite drastically with the recording and the way I make music. For me it’s beneficial because I can now do things in my home and that allows me to be more creative. So the new tools can make you more creative but it still needs to come out of your head. The music I produce still keeps those elements of melody, disco influence and I’m trying to make it work with the new generation. I want people to explore things they are not familiar with. So that challenges me every time I DJ or produce music.
You are a Greek origin, French DJ born in Turkey, how do you see yourself?
Nationality wise I always think myself as French because I’ve lived there since I was three. All my friends and childhood are here. It’s probably the culture I’ve soaked in the most. But the fact that I’m from different places — and I’ve also travelled a lot since a very young age — I’m quite at ease with different cultures and places, maybe I’m a cosmopolitan French. Cosmopolitan also happens to be a cocktail and I think cocktails are always more interesting to drink than normal drinks.
How much do awards such as the Knight of the Arts & Letters make a difference to your genre of music?
I don’t think it makes much of a difference. People see you in the top 10 list of DJs and take that into account much more. I see it for all the DJs and electronic musicians being recognised by an institution such as the French government that until now paid more attention to traditional fields. So it’s nice and I have a little medal at home, which I never wear but am happy I have it. It’s more of a conversation piece.