The divide of musical churches with Vitalic

Image: Vitalic 

Electro and techno veterans don't come much bigger than Pascal Arbez, better known as Vitalic. The pioneering French DJ and producer has been making waves since the release of his first single in 1996, and since then he's generated some of the most influential electronic music. 

The release of the Poney EP secured Arbez his heavyweight title, and the OK Cowboy album four years became one of Vitalic's standout records. Responsible for some of the biggest dance music tracks of the last dcade and one of the most unique musical minds around, his legendary status remains assured. 

We caught up with electronic mastermind ahead of his headline gig at Ministry of Sound for The Gallery on Friday 28th November. 

Vitalic @ October Mix 2012 by Livesets Archive on Mixcloud

Hi Pascal, thanks for taking the time to speak to us. First up, you're headlining Ministry of Sound this November, it's one of the most prestigious clubbing brands in the world, does that mean there's extra pressure to execute a great set?

Well yes... but anyway I always have some kind of pressure. We call it 'Le Ministry' here - the name by itself puts pressure no?  Some pressure also comes from the times I would use some unreliable equipment onstage and there was always some kind of technical problem happening.

Concerning the music, I do my stuff hoping it will please the people but don’t try to stick to the fashionable sound at any price. 

Tell us about some of your previous musical experiences in London...

I had a lot, when I was an exchange student I used to go to The End quite often. There I saw DJ Hell starting the set with techno and ending with disco. It actually totally changed my sound. I realized how much I loved disco stuff and decided to send him a demo, that was Poney EP. 

How do you find the UK crowds compare to the rest of the world?

I think it’s pretty similar to any other crowd: the people are happy and make noise when they enjoy the music. On the other hand, I think the UK crowds are really sensitive to hypes and trends.

You've been part of the dance music scene for quite some time, how have you seen it evolve and what are your opinions of it currently?

In the beginning electro was very underground and quite apart from the rest of the scene. I loved the 2000s when 2ManyDJs brought all of us together by making a mega mix of everything. Now it’s back again divided into different churches.

But it’s ok, things evolve. As far as I am concerned I still belong to no church. No need to mention EDM that was just a moment... it's is something different.

It's been around 2 years since you released your last album Rave Age (check 'Rave Kids Go' from that above), have you got anything in the pipeline due for release you can tell us about? Are albums something you prefer to take your time with?

I am currently working on the next LP. I’m totally into it and I tour less to have the time to focus. I do take my time to make music because it takes time to get concepts, new sounds, learn the new pieces of equipment, find new techniques...

I could produce much more music and much faster but I don’t see the point. After I just released an album I feel like I have nothing to say anymore for some time. I need to 'recharge' my battery. 

Speaking of albums, your debut OK Cowboy ended up being one of the biggest albums of the 2000s, and very much defined the electro movement at that time - did you feel like there was a lot of pressure on you when you followed it up? 

This interview is mostly about pressure ha? Yes I felt pressure of course. Nobody wants to disappoint. But I felt like I had to change my sound for the second LP and I took the risk.

Pressure shouldn't prevent you from doing what you have to do. I was totally fed up with the saturated Moog bass I used to make. People were expecting that but I didn't want to remake it.

When you look back at your back catalogue, are there any tracks of yours that hold a special place in your heart? 

All these tracks are real mini stories. It’s not like I am making a song and then I put a random name. The initial start is a story I have in mind, so they are all a bit special. I think Polkamatik (listen above) is even more special to me cause I made it when my first son was born. I wanted to compose a lullaby for him.

In your opinion, who has been the stand out DJ/producer of 2014?

Maceo Plex

What’s next for Vitalic?

The LP.

Finally, a hypothetical question, you have the power to throw the ultimate party, and you can be joined by any DJs from history, alive or dead, who would join you on the line up and what song would you play to define the night?

I would invite John Peel - all night long session. We would finish on The Normal's 'Warm Leatherette' (below). Then the world can explode.  

Catch Vitalic live at The Gallery at Ministry of Sound on Friday 29th November alongside Phil Kieran and Ant Brooks. For tickets head here or follow the box below.

Tickets are no longer available for this event