Articles - Interviews

French House master Martin Solveig talks to HKclubbing.com about the making of his new album “Smash”, his early days as a DJ and opening a flower shop in 10 years.

HKclubbing: Tell us about your preparations for your forthcoming album.
Martin Solveig: After a huge tour of approx 95 gigs in 2009, I wanted to take some time to work out my next direction. It all came together very clearly and since then I’ve been working really hard in the studio. In September, for the first time in 10 years of DJing I almost closed my booking agenda to focus on composing, producing and also writing the lines of the new “Smash” project/album, combining music & video. It’s a very different approach from my previous albums – with “Smash”. I try to tell a whole story that would be a distortion of my reality with a mix of real characters, situations, absurd elements and figures. Bottom line is nothing has to be very serious, especially in our privileged DJ world. In terms of music I want to try new things, new collaborations, and stick a bit more to the music I play in my DJ sets. I want to enjoy myself and try to obtain something entertaining.

HKclubbing: What was the first event you ever played at/put on? 
Martin Solveig: I started DJing at the age of 13 as a hobby. The idea was to organize private parties for my friends when I was at school. Then I got lucky and had a chance to play in big clubs when I was only 18. The 1st dream I achieved as a DJ was playing at “Le Palace” which was the reference club in Paris in the late 80’s and the 90’s. At the time, David Guetta was the A&R of the club, Claude Monnet was the resident DJ and Pedro Winter was hosting an indie floor called “Le Fumoir” where you could hear Dimitri from Paris or Thomas Bangalter. I got to warm-up for DJs such as Roger Sanchez, Mousse T, Todd Terry or Louie Vega who were my heroes. It was a dream come true for me.                                                                                                         

HKclubbing: French is your first language; do you find it hard to write songs in the English language?
Martin Solveig: Even if I did write a couple of songs in French in the past, English has always been my native musical language so it’s not that hard really, rather feels natural.

HKclubbing: What would you like to say to all your fans out there?
Martin Solveig: I simply want to thank them for having accepted me as I am, with a strong evolution of musical style over the years. As I said I almost closed my agenda to focus on “Smash”, but I couldn’t pass on an opportunity to come back to Asia with my manager “Lafaille” and a small video team, to shoot the 2nd episode of my “Smash” web series – I will not just come to say “Hello”!

HKclubbing: Tell us about your single “Hello”. Was it difficult to put such a big video together?
Martin Solveig: The “Hello” video showcases the unusual idea of doing a sport preparation before a DJ summer tour and introduces the whole Smash concept. We were extremely lucky to be able to shoot the video on the centre court of the Roland Garros French Tennis Open in front of 12,000 spectators- thanks to the exceptional kindness of the Roland Garros’ management. Check it out!
 

HKclubbing: Have you been to Hong Kong? (If no, any chances of coming to HK soon?)
Martin Solveig: I played there 5 or 6 years ago at Dragon I. To me HK is the New York of the east, the city is captivating. I loved Infernal affairs and many other productions from Hong Kong. I’d be thrilled to come back.


HKclubbing: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Martin Solveig: Playing tennis with my manager Lafaille or opening a flower shop.

HKclubbing: What is your life motto?
Martin Solveig: Smash!

HKclubbing: What has been the most special and gratifying set you have played?
Martin Solveig: One of the most exciting nights I had was a couple of years ago in Montreal when I did a party for Cirque du Soleil. I arrived on the day for this event and I was extremely tired because of the jetlag. When I arrived at the venue, I felt as if I was transported in a place completely out of time because the decoration was so amazing. There were dancers, acrobats, and artists from Cirque du Soleil everywhere I felt like I was in a dream and played for six hours that night which was insane. That was something completely different. Another special moment was the closing of Field Day Festival in Sydney a few years ago – it was fantastic!


Check out Martin Solveig's latest "Hello" music video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfxC3TCDgCE