Parov Stelar aka Marcus Füreder (born November 27, 1974) is a musician who lives and works in Linz, Austria. He performs with his Band - the Parov Stelar Band - and as a DJ worldwide. He is also the head of Etage Noir Recordings. After gaining experience as a DJ at nightclubs during the mid-late 1990s, Parov Stelar got involved in producing and publishing in 2000 for the first time. Parov Stelar's Tracks have been used on more than 700 Compilations (for example: Hôtel Costes, Buddha Bar, Electro Swing) and have been the soundtrack for numerous TV ads, TV shows, TV series and movies. Today we have a huge chance to interview one of the finest Austrian producers because of his upcoming album “Princess”. It followed notably the interviews of other famous producers like Marc Romboy, Da Fresh, Umek, Avicii or Dr. Kucho. First, I wanted to thank Parov who answered our questions and Get In PR who help us to get this interview.

 

"Hello Parov,

On 19th April you will release your brand new album “The Princess”. Could you please give us some anecdotes about this album? How did you produce it? I think you finished it only a few weeks ago.
> Yes, finally. It was a hard piece of work. I would describe it as a perfect combination of some stuff from my past completed with new creative influences! But high priority for this process has definitively been for me that my own handwriting will be distinguishable at the final product.

Who is this princess?
> The Princess is the beautiful lady, waiting in the towerJ For me, the Princess is a kind of pseudonym for ”the beautiful things in life”… But one thing is also important to consider that everything which seems just golden and glittery. Also has a shady side! And one little secret by the way…. I am definitely the DIVAJ

Will there be a single release for this album? I think it will be “Jimmy’s Gang”, right?
> Right, the first single will be “Jimmy’s Gang”, to be released on March 16th.

2011 is over. If you look back to it, what can you say about it? What is your vision of the couple past months? A lot of work for the album and some touring dates?
> It was a very exciting year, being on tour, developing as a person - as a result of making a lot of new experiences (good and bad ones of course, but finally every single experience is necessary for developing). Also a year which has overwhelmed us, seeing how big our fan base actually is and how they support us… That’s incredible!
So we have been traveling around a lot, seeing different countries, getting in touch with interesting cultures…and as a result…. Found new inspiration for producing a new album….”The Princess”. So all together I can resume it was a very successful year and I can feel we are growing with the right speed and I am absolutely fine with the direction of it, not only as an artist, also as the owner of a music label.

Let’s go back to your musical roots. Could you briefly tell us how you became DJ and producer?
> It happened by accident… I have been a graphic artist, so I designed some flyers for techno events and clubs and finally had the chance to get in touch with the music scene and started to make some production trials.

I think it is obvious to say that your influences come mainly from jazz. Is that right? How did you fall in love with this style that we can find in your music and also in your design?
> I would associate the genre Jazz with freedom, also the cat is for me a symbol of autonomy. I got definitively also influenced by pop music… But in general I am open minded in different genres. The most important fact or attribute of music is that it is able to transport emotions….

If I was to sum-up your music I would call it “electro-swing”. But from your point of view, how would you qualify your own music?
> My club tracks are definitely a mixture of swing and electro-music.  I really hate to categorize music in general, music is universal and people feel connected to our type of music independent of age, sex or origin.

Parov Stelar is your pseudo but it is also the name of your band. Could you please introduce to us some of the members of the band and notably Max the Sax aka Markus Ecklmayr (Sax). How did you meet the guys?
> I was searching for the best guys and finally found them around Europe – They all have been successful artists at that time and the funny thing is now they are all based in Austria….

And moreover, how do you decide which dates you do with and without your band? Bring all these people must be sometimes complicated?
> Not really because finally it depends on the enquiries of the presenters and the availability…
Some hosts prefer to have us as Parov Stelar Trio… and for example for festivals they prefer having us on stage as Parov Stelar and Band….

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 was growing up in a family of artists. So it was absolutely normal and nothing special for them…

Besides your production schedule, you have worked tirelessly to bring your imprint "Etage Noir" to fruition. How do you manage all these tasks? You need to have a good team to help you I can imagine! When we interviewed Fedde le Grand some months ago, he was mainly help by his family. What about you?
> I am more than glad to have people next to me, who are doing a great job, knowing exactly how to deal with problems and also with success…. It’s not a secret telling you that I do not call it a “company” it is more a “family-cooperation”… People working together because they believe in the same thing, feeling good and satisfied with their responsibilities…
It is the same important thing like in war, you need your own army, where everybody knows his part – being ready for new challenges J… But of course in a positive way…

An about it, are there 2 or 3 artists you would like to present us today, that are signed under it, or you would like to sign?
> I can suggest you all of the artists we do have… Started with DJ Pat Poree which is our DJ support on our actual Parov Stelar & Band Tour, as well as our great DJ Alex Ryba!

Parov, this interview will be published on a website mainly read by French people. So, what do you know about the French electronic music scene? Are there some artists that you personally know or especially love their music?
> There are a lot of great artists at the French music scene…. Just to point some out of them: Daft Punk, Kitsune, Ed Banger, Air…

I don’t know if you heard about him, but there is a crazy guys that dance on your music : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twqM56f_cVo and all his videos got more than 5 million views each time. What do you think about that? Part of your success?
> Of course I know him and he finally reached more than 7 million viewsJ… It’s a friendship and we invited him to Vienna to support us on stage at Vienna’s life ball some time ago. So it´s not always a question of success or… Who is part of who´s success…

Besides music, what are your hobbies?
> Just having time for usual things, like spending time with my wife Lilja Bloom, with friends… Just having a little bit of my “daily life routine”… Beeing lazy, going into nature, doing some sports, having dinner and some beer with my buddies…

 

Parov, before we conclude this interview we have a few more questions. Sometimes one word is enough!

The track you advice us to listen to in your discography? 
> Powder

An artist you would like to work with one day?
> There are a lot of great artists….not easy to pick just one. But I am more than glad to have my band surrounding me…so working with my band colleagues fulfills me completely.

3 words to define your music?
> Dancing melancholic party.

Are you using vinyl or mp3 for your mix?
> Mp3.

The software you use to produce?
> Logic Pro.

One privilege, being DJ, gives you access to?
> Connection to a lot of interesting and creative persons.

One word about France?
> Baguette.

Your favorite track these days?
> Kavinsky “Night Call”.

Parov, 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 album and your live dates. A bientôt!
> I’d like to thank you guys as well! Best, Parov.

MORE INFOS ABOUT PAROV STELAR
http://www.parovstelar.com/
http://www.facebook.com/parovstelar
http://twitter.com/parov_stelar
http://www.youtube.com/user/etagenoirrec