Egg London Podcast 008 - Franck Roger

The Paris underground scene has given rise to some of the biggest names in dance music across the board; Daft Punk, Laurent Garnier, Dimitri From Paris, Ivan Smagghe, Jeremy Underground Paris and DJ Mehdi to name a few. Right at the top of this very talented pile lies Franck Roger, a man dedicated to old school house whilst still pushing things forward.

A staunch supporter of vinyl, his sets have won him support around the world, and earned him recognition from those artists that originally inspired him to become a musician. His love of the old school does not only lay in the music and the format in which he plays on, but also his use of analog equipment during his special live sets.

A multi-talented individual certainly, not only a producer / DJ, but also label boss, with his imprint Real Tone Records putting out releases from the likes of Maya Jane Coles, The Martinez Brothers, Shonky, Burnski and M A N I K. His new label, Home Invasion, is set to be a vinyl only label, with a real emphasis on the releases being collectors items. Again drawing inspiration from the past, the label is set to take on his major musical influences whilst still having a modern twist.

We caught up with ever cool Parisian ahead of his gig at Egg Presents on Friday 9th May alongside the Decay Records camp with Sascha Dive, Gavin Herlihy and more.

Where, how and on what was the mix recorded?

The mix has been recorded at home where all my records and studio is. This is where I feel the most comfortable and able to create a mix that I am happy with. I used two mk2 turntables, 2 cdj's and a wonderfull DJR 400 that I have had for 8 years now and that i love to play with. It's recorded live without any playlist in mind which is how I feel the best, no pressure, just a the feeling of the moment and that's also my vision of djing at home or in a club, keeping it live and real.

The Parisian underground scene has given rise to some fantastic artists and some very influential movements in Electronic Music. Laurent Garnier with his distinctive 'French Techno' sound, then Daft Punk, Alan Braxe and Cassius were instrumental in what was labelled 'French House' by the media. Meanwhile Mr. Oizo & Ivan Smagghe, amongst others, played their part in the evolution of 'Electro House' and acts such as Jef K, D'Julz & Jeremy Underground Paris have been instigating a classicist House revival for many years now. You've been there from the start witnessing, and being a part of it all since day one. What effect has this musically rich city had on you as a person, performer and musician?

All the names you mention here take a lot of influence from a special musical era which existed in the US and it is the same for me too. French producers gave their 'special treatment' with a classy touch of course. I think we can talk also about St Germain and Shazz here. Paris is a city with tons of talented dj's and producers and it also influences all of us in a crazy race of production, especially today with all the Parisian labels that do only vinyl for most of them, we all have respect for each other and provide one another with energy and inspiration. If i lived out of Paris i would have followed a different path with my music for sure.

How would you describe your sound as a DJ and also as producer?

My sounds as a dj and producer is an instant sound, instant in the moment, just a feeling as a dj when you have a good crowd you wanna give them all you have, so the moments can be magic, in the studio the approach is different, you're all alone with you're machines, so you need to project yourself in another dimension, imagine how the record will be received once played in a club. My sounds are mostly old skool in the studio and even the way i play, i keep it raw, no time to sleep behind the decks, that's how I feel it.

You’re known for your love of 'old school' house music, how did you first discover it?

I first heard what we now call 'old school' house on the radio in the 90's when i was around 15, recording shows on tape, running to record stores with my walkman to find out what was playing etc. I was always on a quest for the tracks I'd hear and I found this really exciting. As I didnt have much money at that age, Id only buy EPs I really loved making my collection from this era all the more precious for me.

So it was this sound that I grew up with, at the time sounding so new and exciting, now it sounds old for the younger generation but for me this is the real essence of house music, this is where i come from. Now old school is hyped which is a good thing, all the repres's from the records that took us years to collect are now here again, its a cycle. I dont follow the hype , I play house music, can be old or new, if it feels right and gives me the right emotions Ill play it.

You’re a strictly vinyl man. What is it you love about this format and do you think it has a future in dance music?

I buy vinyl every week but it doesnt mean that i only play records, it depend on the travel conditions etc. I rip a lot of my records so I an play them on CD if I want to take a bigger selection of music with me to a gig. I do believe that vinyl will never disappear, thats my thought, we will all go back to vintage things, in arts and in music and we love evolutions and technical progression but there will always be a love for something that people can hold in their hands, record shops and label owners alike will always survive I feel.

You just launched your new imprint Home Invasion. Can you tell us about your vision for the record label and what musical direction you plan on taking with it?

Home Invasion is for now and always will be a vinyl only label, why? Because I want people to take time to listen to the music and for it not to get lost in the millions of releases on Beatport or in their Itunes.. I dont have anything against beatport but i want to see that people are loving the music by buying a real physical copy. I mean, I know it can cost 10 euro but to me this is an investment in something that will stay in your collection for life. The Home Invasion records will also be stamped one by one as I want buyers to know that i time and effort in to them one by one. It's an artisanal thing and in the studio it is the same, old skool with many machines, outboard, machine drums, synths, effects etc.. the list is long and very interesting. Musically I will follow my directions influenced by all those years behind me and will try to keep it futuristic and modern at the same time, with my touch, spacey and trippy for some times too, I don't wanna lock myself in a certain style, I just want to follow my inspirations and this is what is so exiting to keep being an artist and feel free and alive everyday.

What are you working on at the moment? Anything you’d like to shout about?

Im working on the next Home Invasions but I am in no rush. I want to keep the label with only 4 releases a year not more, keeping time to promote it well spending as much time as necessary to create something I'm truly happy with. The focus is on Home Invasion at the moment but I always enjoy working on remixes when i have time and if I like and feel inspired by the project and feel inspired like the one that will come soon on Decay Records from Juliche Hernandez. The next release, Home Invasion 3, will be out mid-April and is already receiving very good feedback from many dj's so i've got a good feeling on it :-)

And finally, what artists are you loving right now?

I don't have special names to mention as there are a lot, i will go for some of the new blood in Detroit, and in New York.. There is a lot of great productions coming from there at the moment and it is really good to see that. Paris is rocking with hold youth and rue de plaisance records, syncrophone records too, so many to mention and so many names that are making this world go round :-)