Regarded as one of the finest producers and DJ¹s of his time, Kris Menace is just as likely to get support from Erol Alkan, Soulwax and A-Trak as he is from Mylo, Sasha, Tiesto and Pete Tong. It¹s this perfect balance of underground credibility and widespread accessibility that has seen him able to carve a niche for himself as a hugely respected figure in electronic music and maybe one of the busiest remixers alive. So today, we have the chance to offer you an exclusive interview with him. It follows notably the interviews of other German DJs like Thomas Gold, Extrawelt and Butch.
 
“Hello Kris,

Honestly you are for me one of the best producers ever with Fred Falke. It is a great honor to interview you about the work you¹ve done along the years. I think I¹ve hear almost all of your releases that are always amazing. In a few days «Phoenix» and «Triangle” will be released under the label of Steve Angello SIZE Records. Could you please tell us more about it? Why this imprint? Indeed you¹ve released also «Masquerade EP» on the same label this year.
> I love to surprise people and I think nobody ever thought that I gonna release something on Steve Angello´s "SIZE" label, which has released some of the best records over the last years and became one of the most important dance labels around. The first release went really well, and I’m looking forward to the feedback on phoenix.
 
I saw a few weeks ago on your Facebook account that one of your status was: « This year Grammy’s nominations are a joke and another proof how fucked up this business is! Sad but true. ». Could you please tell us more about it? What about this business you are talking about?
> Things like the Grammys are not relevant or important to music anymore. When you look closely it’s all fake and bought. There are so many innovative remixers, great records and talents... they don’t really care of the actual music anymore. You can see that the industry doesn’t know what to do and this is a sad truth!

2010 is over. What will you remember from this year? You¹ve done so much between your «Masquerade EP», but also «Walking on the moon» featuring Emil, and your new collaboration with KoweSix from Moonbootica to create the Project «Black Van».
> 2010 was a very productive way. I think it was one of the most important years for myself. Black van is a great project and we have some great plans with it. I formed "menace" for my darker side, which´s first release on fake blood´s label "hz & tones" was a great success. And also with Kris Menace I had some great releases. I’m really looking forward to 2011.
 
For 2011, what we expect from you? New tracks? An album maybe? A compilation?
> I´ve teamed up with Rex the dog, DJ Pierre and some other great artists to name a few... but you should also watch out for a lot of more material from "Black Van" and maybe another new project which is on the way...
 
After we gave this little introduction about your music news to our readers, we wanted to get back to your origins. Indeed, could you please tell us in a few words, how did you become a DJ and producer?
> I started to produce music in 1993 after my sister introduced me to techno. A year later I already played in some great clubs but stopped DJing a few years later to focus more on being a promoter. In 2000 I started the work it baby label and later I formed Kris Menace for myself.

You hit the clubbers thanks to your debut single, «Discopolis», with Lifelike, released on Alan Braxe´s legendary French Label «Vulture Music» that became a huge Ibiza & House anthem. What a start!!!!  Do you think the people will always see you through this production even if you¹ve done other massive tracks like «Jupiter», «Metropolis» or «Walking on the moon»? Is it not too difficult to change the mentality, or do you think it is positive?
> I always tried to spread my production styles. Maybe that wasn’t clever for making quick money, but since that, people don’t just reduce me to "Discopolis". I could have continued to release the same style on and on, but I think that’s something which will only help you for a short term period. i think with tracks like "Scaler", "steamroller" or my remixes for Booka Shade I clearly set marks...

 You¹ve worked with legends like Alan Braxe, Felix Da Housecat, DJ Pierre, Steve Aoki, Rex the Dog, Spooky and as a remixer for Depeche Mode, Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue, LCD Soundsystem, Royksopp, Underworld, Moby and Air. What do you prefer: doing your own tracks or the remixes?
> Both are totally different worlds... While u r very limited when you do remixes, as u have already existing parts and an a&r , band manager and actually band who all needs to approve the remix and maybe want some changes, you can do whatever the fuck you wanna do with your own productions. I can’t really say what I prefer. Sometimes i like to be challenged with remixes, and sometimes I really just wanna work on my own ideas without people telling me what to do... it depends to be honest...

At the beginning, did your family understand what you did for a living? And now are they proud of what you achieved along the years?
> I think nobody who’s not really deep into music can understand what I’m doing. At home, I don’t speak about my work. My family knows that I’m playing music in clubs, that I travel a lot and that I write and produce music, but they are not aware of the actual results. I think they even didn’t know that I use an alias called "Kris Menace" till they saw an interview on the television a few months ago.
 
What is your vision about the French electronic music scene? You are part of it for sure!
> I really like that there are so many people popping out from nowhere with great tunes. The whole Ed Banger / daft punk / phoenix / air thing made the French scene huge around the world and thanks to that people a lot of more talents have a great chance to become big!
 
If I¹m right, Alan Braxe is one of your best friends. Could you please tell us how did you meet and what is your relationship now?
> Alain and me met thru Delphine Quemé, who was the label manager of Vulture back in the days and the sister of DJ Falcon. I’ve met her in 2003 or 2004. Alan and me started to DJ together for a few years later. We are still good friends but since we are both DJing separately nowadays and having families we both don't see each other so much anymore like we´ve used too.
 
What about your buddy Lifelike, who notably released this year the fantastic EP «Love emulator» that I ranked in my 2010 Top 20?
> Laurent and me are still good friends. There was a misunderstanding a few years ago which became public, but overall we are even speaking about working together again for another track.
 
Besides music, what are your hobbies?
> My family. Whenever I have a bit of free time, I try to spend it with my family. I have 2 kids and that’s a hell of a hobby I can tell!
 
Kris, to conclude this interview, we have a few more questions to better know you. Sometimes one word is enough!

The song you advice us to listen in your discography?
> All songs! They are all different and on their own!

3 words to define your music?
> Soulful, listenable, danceable

Are you using vinyl or mp3 for your mix?
> Traktor Scratch controlled by 2 CDJs

One word about France?
> Strike! ;)

The software you use to produce?
> Cubase, wavelab, sonicworx and more....

One privilege, being DJ, gives you access to?
> To see a lot of places around the world!

Have you already used you aura of being a DJ to go out with a girl!? Did it work?
> Isn't it more contra productive to tell a girl that you are a DJ? DJs don’t have a great reputation when it comes to girls...

Your favorite track these days?
> Radiohead - everything - unreleased remix

Some words about our website Actualités Electroniques?
> AE is a great website for electronic music, keep up the good work!

Kris, thank you very, very much for the time you devoted to Actualités Electroniques and particularly for this full and exclusive interview. We will wait for sure for your next productions. We hope to see you in France because I never had the chance to. A bientot!
> Thank you so much! Great interview questions! Speak soon, Kris”

Dj Aroy

MORE INFO ABOUT KRIS MENACE
http://www.facebook.com/krismenace
http://kris-menace.com/
http://www.black-van.com/
http://loveonlaserdisc.com/