noir-music.com
1. Hello, René ‘Noir’ Kristensen! Thank you for accepting our invitation to this interview. How was 2011 for you and how did this year start?
It was a really good year with a lot of crazy Sh*t. It started kinda slowly with a lot planning. I was thinking a lot about my forthcoming directions an both artist and label sides. Things kinda escalated over the summer period, both for Noir and Noir Music and I can`t remember things have looked better than they do know, so I am happy with the way 2011 turned out.
2. Tell us 5 songs that represents you.
Because it kinda got me into electronic music when I was only 6-7 years old. I loved the melody, sounds and especially the vocals. Dont ask me why, cause I cannot explain why I fell in love with that kinda music so early in my life.
Cause I really liked the new wave sound coming from especially uk-bands during the eighties. I remember being fan of Duran Duran for a short period around the age of 10-12 years.
I was so fascinated with the whole detroit, chicago house scene and used to tune into uk radio stations to be able to listen to the new club-hits from the acid scene that hit uk in the late 80s. Again at a very early age for that kinda music but I remember it sounded so fresh and especially names like Inner City really grabbed my attention: The mix between club music and radio vocal hit music.
Depeche Mode – Enjoy The Silence
I think this is the perfect electronic pop-song and again when it came out in 1990 it sounded so fresh, well-produced and better than all the rest of the pop-music. I became a big Depeche Mode fan with the release of their Violator album and almost obsessed with looking like their lead-singer Dave Gahan.
Because I really do enjoy good songwriting and a proper pop-track now and then.
Today everyone on the radio sounds the same, I almost can`t hear the difference between Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Madonna etc. Its the same shitty electro dance productions.
Adele is an example of good music and its a big WIN for the music scene that she became the best selling artist in 2011, selling more than all the assembly line produced music.
3. I know that you received the award for ‘Upfront DJ of the year’ at the DDJA 2009. Also, in 2010 you received the award for ‘Producer of the year’ and in 2011 you were nominated in 5 categories at the DDJA and came out with the high-scorer as the only artist to win 3 awards ‘Producer of the year’, ‘DJ of the year’ and ‘Africanism’ for ‘Upfront track of the year’. Please tell us more about your passion, your musical background.
When my father died in 1997 I inherited just enough money to buy computer, software and a synthesizer to start my dream: produce music. I didnt know anything about music software, about chords and harmonies. But I was lucky enough to have friends who taught me everything I needed to kow and over the first 10 years of producing music I just sucked in impressions from the many musicians I have worked with. Electronic music is my life and its been like that since I was a little boy. I feel very blessed to be able to live from producing music, running my labels and djing all around the world. Its been a dream come true and I enjoy every day.
4. Recently you have released the second single, ‘Found Out’ (with Richard Davis), from your next album. You currently working on the album, when it will be launched and what kind of collaborations we will find?
The album will not be out untill late in 2012 or early 2013.
I am taking my time with it. And it does take a lot of time to get from A to B when you work with singer/sogwriters on each track like I do. I write all the music and then have someone in my head who would be perfect for the vocals, so far the people I have contacted have said yes. I cannot reveal and actually dont know all the singers I will be working with yet. You will have to wait and see/hear.
5. Regarding your producer skills, what are the main influences? How do you get inspired when you produce a track?
I get inspired everything around me. A good underground record or a mainstream poptrack could the inspiration for me to sit down and start on a new track. But also mood swings and experiences, memories from around the world trigger good ideas and great melodies.
I usually sit down with my keyboard and start out with a groove or melody line that I have in my head.
I play everything via my keyboard and dont really programme anything in the beginning phaase of a track.
6. What’s your definition of a great record?
Passion, heart and soul. And it helps if the production sounds crystal clear and well-produced too.
7. How would you describe your sets? What are the styles you mix more often?
Deep and sexy with a nasty edge.
I really do like to play everything and play from deep slo mo 116 bpm house to 128 bpm techno.
It depends on where the night and crowd takes me.
8. Which was the best event that you have mixed for?
I really can`t tell. I have had so many great experiences.
Djing in front of 35.000 thousand at Sensation was pretty special and so was a gig in front of 150 people at Le Pearl in Lyon. I like both big and small events. As long as the crowd is up for it, then I enjoy it a lot.
9. Are you laptop based now or are you still using the CDJs primarily?
I started out with vinyls, switched to cds after 10 years and now I use Macbook Pro, Traktor and The S4 controller from Native Instruments. So I’ve done it all – wonder what the next thing will be?
10. What is your favourite piece of equipment / gadget?
Right now its the Maschine from Native Instruments, cause I just got it.
11. Could you tell us some interesting facts of your career of DJing, may be humorous moments or something?
I have been to China djing 4-5 times I think.
One of the times we went to a restaurant in Shanghai just before i had to play one of the gigs.
I like spicy food and I knew the restaurant and ordered what I had the last time I was there.
But apparently my body wasnt prepared for the hot chilli and I ended up with bad abdominal pains which resulted in me farting a lot 30 minutes into my dj set.
The light jockeys and people around the dj booth were covering their noses and wondering wtf was smelling so badly.
After 60 minutes I gave into the pain, had a resident dj play 2 tracks for me and went to destroy their toilet completely.
It felt like I was shitting out all the food I have had for a week.
Then I went back to play the rest of my dj set and because of the chilli my arse was burning like hell and I sweat like a pig all nite because of the burning arse-hole and the chilli working my body.I dont remember worse timing and abdominal chilli pains ever and at the same time it was pretty funny.
I remember smiling and laughing when I saw people covering their noses, cause I was the only one who knew what was smelling so badly……. LOL!
12. Your favourite producer.
Brian Eno, Flood, Gui Boratto and from Denmark Trentemoller.
13. Who would you like to remix your music?
I am looking forward to the remixes of ‘Found Out’ coming from Deetron and Tiefschwarz.
Those are names i have had in mind for quite some time.
It always changes who I like the most, right now I am really excited about those remixes and they were on top of my list.
14. If you were to pick some DJs who have had some brilliant performances in the past year, which ones would you choose?
Jamie Jones, Solomun, Luciano (a very deep electronic set), Loco Dice, Thomas Schumacher, Art Department (Live) are amonst the ones I have heard and enjoyed the most over the past year.
15. What is your opinion about online promoting? Which are the advantages and desadvantages?
I like online promotion. I enjoy being able to reach fans and getting reactions via Facebook, Soundcloud and Twitter.
The desadvantage is the illegal downloads being spread across the world really quickly, but to be honest I don`t worry to much about it.
16. Have you a favourite quote, something that inspires you?
I once read (on Facebook) a quote from a DJ writing.
‘The clubs and promoters do not pay us to play in the clubs. They pay us for the travelling and wait in airports.’
Thats true. We get paid to ‘work’ and the work is travelling. Playing in the clubs is the fun part.
17. What is your advice for young DJs that are just at the start of a DJ life?
Try to find you own sound/track-selection and way of mixing. Don`t copycat other DJs and artists.
Do your own thing. Believe in yourself and what YOU LOVE.
18. A message for all the people out there who love electronic music.
Keep on loving the electronic vibes. Its not just a ‘thing’ its a life-style.
Thanks for all your love and support.
Noir & Richard Davis – Found Out [Original Mix]
Interview made by Adriana L.L. © 2012 DJs Arena, Music – News Romania. All rights reserved.
