Introducing: Nicolas Masseyeff

Back in 1989, on the scorching French Riviera, Nicolas Masseyeff's long affection for electronic music first began. After that first kiss, then the man spent 15 years in his hometown as a record dealer, before buying his own outlet, Limelight, and turning it into the most respected record store in the whole of Southern France. Drawing inspiration from a wide sonic plane that includes minimalism, jazz, new wave, Detroit techno and Chicago house, it's producers like Steve Reich, John Cage, Carl Craig, UR, Basic Channel and Larry Heard that Masseyeff looks up to.

It's no surprise, then, that in 1998 Nico began experimenting on his own. Only in 2006 was he happy with the musical identity he had forged for himself, though, so only then did he release his first productions, and this month he launches his debut album, The Motherland, on Herzblut Recordings...

Introduce yourself…
I’m a French DJ and Producer, hailing from the French Riviera in the South of France. I’m about to release my debut album, The Motherland, on Stephan Bodzinʼs Herzblut Recordings in November this year. I have releases on several other labels already such as Boxer, Systematic and Tsuba to name a few. And I just love music!

How and when were you first infected by electronic / dance music?
I heard electronic music for the first time when I was 14. This was in 1989. A friend of mine lent me a tape he had stolen from his brother’s car and then I did some copies for us. We had no idea who did the mix, nothing was written on it... This was my first DJ mix, which I listened to and enjoyed for months. I remember actually one track from the mix and this was «Steve Point Dexter - Computer Madness».

How and why did you get into DJing and producing?
After I discovered this new music, I tried to find a shop where I could buy «house and techno music» and this was really hard in the early 90’s. But music stores started opening year after year. I bought my first turntables when I was sixteen to perform as a bedroom DJ and I also kept sharing my passion through the decks at local parties. After that first touch with electronic music, I spent 15 years as a record dealer. I managed my own record store, Limelight, which became a really well known music outlet in Southern France. 1998 marked my debut in the studio and my search for a musical identity began. It has been a meticulous quest during which I built up fervor towards machines and technology. It usually takes me a long time to learn and to find a way to materialize my ideas.

What are the most important things for you when making music?
I usually try to create an atmosphere, where I feel good; it could be melancholic or full of joy. Totally depending on my mood. I also try to find some interesting musical elements, an emotionally charged or catchy note for example. This helps me write a small story but honestly speaking I’m a bit of a maniac, I spend too much time on the details and sometimes I simply have to stop, because it becomes ridiculous (smile).

Same question when DJing... what are your goals?
When I am djing, as I have a really eclectic music taste, I love to play from deep house to techno. The most important thing for me is to feel the crowd and when I know what they want, I try to construct my DJ set around their wishes but with the tracks that I love. I try to have a connection and a perfect exchange between the crowd and me. I love this feeling; this way it makes my DJ set always different! I just try to make everybody dance. I think all DJs are saying the same (smile), aren’t they?

Who or what would you consider as your main influences?
i draw my inspiration from a wide sonic plane that includes classical music, minimalism, jazz, new wave, Detroit techno and Chicago house. My favorite composers and producers are Steve Reich, Jean Philippe Goude, Carl Craig, Martin Buttrich, Stephan Bodzin, Nik Bärtsh and his band Ronin to name few.
 
And I think my favorite DJ is Laurent Garnier. I get goose bumps everytime I listen to him…. And I really like Gilles Peterson too, I always discover some amazing tracks and artists through those guys.
 
I actually love so many different artists and I discover new ones every month for years now. I believe many of them have influenced me, but it is hard to pinpoint their influence. It is a hard question you are asking…
 
What makes you, you?
Music, passion, perseverance, parties, beer, friends and family! I think it is a good combination…
 
Musically, what got you most excited recently?
Let me have a look at my Ipod !!!
Recently I really fell in love with a track called «Lava» which is included in BNJMN’s «SQUARE» minialbum, released on Rush Hour. The whole release is superb!!!

Another track that I find amazing is the fantastic remix of my friend Stephan Bodzin for Dominik Eulberg‘s track «Teddy Tausendtod »!

And also Oliver Huntemann’s Paranoia Album which is soon coming out on Ideal Audio. It’s a proper techno album to play and listen to. I love the down tempo track he has in the album – Wahnfried (feat. Ane Trolle). Beautiful!

What are you working on?
Now I’m working a lot on my LIVE act to refresh it and to add some new elements to it… To have the best setup to perform The Motherland. And at the same time I’m also working on some new tracks with my friend Oxia.

Who are you outside of music?
I’m like everybody else I guess... Nothing more… I love to spend time with my friends and family around a nice BBQ or to have drinks… Good wine, saying dirty things etc. But all this always happens around music just the volume varies.