Interview with Michaël Canitrot

By Natalie Peris

DJ, producer and creator of the “So, Happy in Paris ?” parties, Michaël Canitrot lives for his fundamental passion, music, each weekend in the greatest nightclubs from Paris to Miami and from Barcelona to Tokyo. Michaël is sought after to create and direct custom sound designs for luxury brands such as Dior, Cartier, Versace, D&G, Prada, and the Crazy Horse cabaret, allowing him the opportunity to further his music in the most demanding contexts. It has been a great honour for him when the International Cannes Film Festival asked to him to imagine his own soundtracks for their Red Carpets and official parties. Obsessive and meticulous, Michaël’s perfectionist nature complements his musical creativity. His style is an eclectic, rhythmic and melodic blend of House, Pop, modern Disco. Michaël grew up listening to Soul, Funk, Disco and Rock, but his sound is also a product of his many travels and experiences. Michaël’s culture and artistic open-mindedness enables him to create timeless and universal music.

  1. Can you tell us at what age did you decide to get into the music business? Was there someone who influenced you to do so, another artist, family member musician etc.?

I´ve been playing music music since I was 10 years old, mostly influenced by my parents who are great music lovers. But I had my first gig in an actual club when I was 17. It was one of the most popular clubs in Paris back then: Les Bains Douches.

  1. What kind of equipment did you start out with? How much has that changed to this date?

At the begining, I used 2 ghettoblasters to play without a mixer ! But now I’m playing on USB key with a Pioneer CD player. It’s a little bit different. I can also say that I’m a litlle bit nostalgic about vinyl … it was something special, and not just for me !

  1. Can you describe us one Michaël Canitrot day, of course when not on tour. How does your day start off, any producing rituals?

 I wake up around 10:00, eat a good breakfast with some fresh fruits and a croissant. After that I basically work on my mixes and productions all day long. During the evening i like to meet with people, friends and get some nice inspiration in the streets of Paris !

  1. You have been travelling quite some bit this year, tell us what show will 2011 be remembered for?

A fantastic year of parties all around the world with unforgettable memories from Asia, a huge summer tour in France and Europe, my first gigs at Green Valley and a New Year party in Brazil ! I hope 2012 will be as good as last year!

  1. Looking back on your busy schedule, we see you also had a show in Zagreb not so long ago? What are your impressions on the Croatian clubbing scene.

Croatian people are very active on the worldwide clubbing map, and the clubs are very special too! I can with no doubt say how Croatia is probably the most mature country for Electronic music in the east part of Europe.

  1. Your most recent releases „White Escape“ and «Blue Collision» have been well received in the house scene, do you have any more surprises up your sleeve for 2012 that you would like to share?

These 2 tracks are very important to me since they are the first instrumental tracks I have ever released.  I love producing vocal tracks but I also wanted to try something different and I am very happy that to see that my fans and big DJ names are supporting them.

  1. Could you say, besides your outstanding music, how good looks helped your career in some way as well? Generally, how important do you think looks are in today´s industry?

For me it´s like a global thing, music works better with a great visual. And I’ve always loved fashion which I find very inspiring.

  1. Throughout the years you have been highly demanded among large fashion companies, not to mention a great highlight has not doubt also been spinning at the International Cannes Film Festival. What is it like playing for such prestigious events? Do you have to prepare your mind a certain way before your shows?

You know, for an artist it´s a great opportunity to explore others kinds of parties and events, and it’s such an honnor to play for the biggest film festival in the world.
When you play or make music for the catwalks you have to be very curious and open minded…You can mix Classical Music, Electro, Pop/Rock or French Songs…Different designers have different needs, and the musical research I have to do for these shows is always very enriching. We also developed a musical theme on Christian Dior’s life, his tastes, his influences. It was so exciting.

  1. Aside from producing and DJ-ing, you also run your own label Aime Music. How do you stay motivated with such a crazy schedule?

To have a label is a liberty, a liberty to release what i want and when i want , plus it’s also great to support other fellow DJ’s. An amazing tune from Nico de Andrea « I Found You »is coming up…so stay tuned!

  1. What are your thoughts on the dubstep mania taking over recently? Do you think it is better as a producer to stay consistent to your own sound or adjust to the listeners prefferences, as we all know the music scene is constantly changing?

Our life is a journey and so is our musical career. It’s important to keep a spirit, to have values, but it´s also important to move and explore differents ways…So today it´s dubstep and tomorrow it will be another style … I keep my ears open … there is something good in all styles of music.

  1. Can you outline some tracks that have inspired you over the years? What is your number one track at the moment?

I’m mostly influenced by bands like Earth, Wind and Fire, Radiohead and Nirvana…it’s my musical background. Half of Black Music (Soul, Funk, Disco) and half of Pop/Rock. But I have to say also that at the beginning of my career I was very fascinated by the most famous French robots – Daft Punk. They are living legends for all French DJ’s! And at the moment my favorite track is Michael Woods “Last Day on Earth”.

  1. A random personal question, when you are away from home, what are the things you miss the most?

I guess I mostly miss my studio and my bed.

  1. Do you play any instruments in your spare time?

I do, I play the drums.

  1. Are you planning on working with any new artists in the future? If so, who?

I´m working on many tracks at the moment, but I’m not interested in calling upon big-name singers. I just want to find the perfect voice for my tracks and get the emotion right. It’s all about creating something different and fresh.

  1. Do you have anything in particular you would like to say to the readers of Electronica.hr?

First I would like to wish you all a magical year 2012 and to thank you for reading my interview …I hope I will be back in Croatia soon partying with all of you!

MORE INFO:

www.michaelcanitrot.com

www.facebook.com/michaelcanitrotofficial

soundcloud.com/michaelcanitrot

twitter.com/michaelcanitrot