DJ/producer, multi-instrumentalist and sound engineer, Alexkid is credited as an early protagonist of 90s Parisian underground culture. Says his official biography, and that’s just a dry extract of what Alexis Mauri is for electronic music.
The three albums he released on Laurent Garnier’s F Communications imprint have met amazing critical acclaim; and every release of his on Rekids, Desolat, Cadenza, Cabin Fever, Freerange or Supplement facts have cemented his place in the minds of every DJ, producer and music lover.
We talked to the multi-instrumentalist, producer and DJ about how he sees the modern music world and his new album.
– What is quality music for you? You are one of the producers who don’t take the thousands of modern producers seriously, so what is it about?
Hmm.. I never thought I could appear so harsh. I don’t think I’m not taking modern producers seriously. I actually think there are amazing new producers out there at the moment. I believe it is all about commitment and effort.
The problem is that with new technologies, a lot of people can easily choose the path of laziness and too quickly believe they’re delivering quality. It’s all about the personality you put to your music, the effort. It’s revealing yourself.
There are a lot of producers – young or old – who don’t commit to this, and in my humble opinion it also defines what is quality music.
I would tend to think that honesty is something that could define Quality Music. As long as you really mean what you’re doing, and you’re pushing your own boundaries, it is already a success. After that, it is all a matter of taste and it is very subjective.
Even if some music is light hearted, it can also be “real” … but never think that it is anything more than a party track. I just have issues with people thinking that they are what they’re not. We’re making Electronic Music, it is fun, we – as producers- need to give it an interesting dimension, and not only just try to fit a certain standard that creates a trend, and as much as possible, leave the egos out of the way.
– Who are the ones you do respect these days?
From the Young ones? A lot of them actually. I really enjoy the work of Cristi Cons and Vlad Caia. They always have an edge to their Music… There are too many to name them to be honest with you. Enzo Siragusa’s been delivering very good club tracks at the moment. I love to play them.
From the older generation, it can go from Villalobos whom I admire in his approach to music, to Melchior Productions, or Jovonn, uh… I could list so many. It also depends on my mood.
Let’s say that I have respect for the people who make music for the right reason: Music, sharing a passion, and a moment.
– Who are the young prodcers / djs who, in your opinion, are really into what they do?
Again too many… and young is subjective… I am now 41, which when I started was quite hard to imagine that I’d be still deejaying by now. Given the fact that now there are house and techno dos in their late fifties and some in their sixties even, I sort of feel young myself… Obviously not compared to the ones in their twenties. The good thing is that there is a very young and newer generation that comes back to a vinyl only type of deejaying. I’m not against other medias to play music, but I appreciate that they chose the harder way. It somehow shows respect for what our trade is. A bit like in Kabbalah, you learn best choosing the path of most resistance. hahaha
– What is the “music forever”? The all-time classics like the Motzart and Beethoven’s masterpieces?
In Electronic? … hmmm… I would have to say that Aphex Twin’s “Window Licker” from 1999 on Warp has to be one of them. Still so avant-garde and it’s almost 20 years old… I’m a big Warp fan.
– Where do you stand now in the world of electronic music, how do you see it?
I have no idea. l just keep on doing what I do, because it is a culture that I love and that I want to defend. I just try to do my best every day, have fun, and enjoy the privilege to be doing this. It is hard work in a way, even if the hedonistic part of it might make people think somewhat else. But still, it is the best Job ever.
I love spending time in my studio exploring my Machines, and I think people know me that way. Like a Studio Nerd.
I’m not the most sought after DJ if we look at the Hype standards, but I don’t care about the Hype… I’m quite a long lasting one, and I would like to believe that it’s thanks to my efforts and dedication during all these years. I have the respect of my piers, and that is already a good thing. Simple things make me happy and keep me going.
– How is the night life in Paris in the past year. has it changed due to the political situation?
As I have been living in Berlin for the past 8 Years, it is a bit difficult to answer that properly. I can only witness it through my parties at the rex, and there isn’t much of a difference. Of course there was a moment of Paranoia, but from what I also heard from my parisian friends, there was a moment where everyone reacted and went out to party even more. A sort of reaction to the situation. the “eat d’urgence” didn’t really affect the night life to my knowledge. Now, I might be wrong… but this is my feeling.
– What are your plans for releases in the coming months?
I have a fair amount of releases coming out. I finally found a bit of time to go back to the studio as I’ve been neglecting my own productions whilst setting up 510k creatives (my booking/management/label/platform) with my partner.
I have done a lot of remixes, and some Exclusive tracks that should come out in the next few months. Also Alexkid “Selected Dubs” Vinyl Only, which is a collection of my favorite remixes l have made lately, with originals and previously unreleased tracks. All of them in a Dub Techno direction, like my label Wu-Dubs.
– Tell us about the concept behind ’Selected Dubs’ and about Wu-Dubs
The concept is simple. I am looking for elegant and timeless Dub Techno productions according to my standards. The first release was mine, the second was Maksy, a young producer living in now in London, and the third release is Tel Aviv’s very own Stephan Bazbaz who has sent me an incredible amount of beautiful tracks. This should be out in September I think. There’s been unfortunately some delay with the mastering. I can’t wait for the next releases.
