During the early 2010s, we saw the epic rise of a Parisian label that not only redefined the sound of ‘French Touch’, but also birthed a range of artists who went on to become icons in their own fields. I’m talking about Roche Musique, and among their star-studded roster lies an artist who embraces the sound of the cosmos throughout his genre-fluid releases. If this is your first time being acquainted with the story of Electronic producer Darius then the timing couldn’t have been greater… His sophomore album OASIS has just arrived, and we can tell he’s matured ten folds as an artist as he invites a range of different genres to mingle with his cosmic aesthetic, plus we’re acquainted with surprising features such as Kadhja Bonnet and Benny Sings that prompt him to stretch his creativity.
For many, the popular Romance EP was their first introduction to Darius. The vibrant House sound found on Romance was inevitably channeled into his 2017 debut album Utopia, albeit with more of an introspective feel and soulful ambiance. OASIS bridges the gap between both worlds and simultaneously laces in the sounds of his childhood in such an elegant manner.
OASIS is sonically the album where I tried to pay homage to all my early inspirations from my pre-teen years to today. A return to my roots by drawing from a whole bunch of sounds that have remained in my favorites for all these years, and succeeding as much as possible to find myself in childhood.
In this interview Darius opens up about his youth, the making of OASIS, working with Kadhja Bonnet, and much more. Darius is among the producers that inspire me immensely especially since Utopia is one of my all-time favorite albums, so it's quite the blessing having the opportunity to do this.
What were some of the moments you cherished the most when you were an up-and-coming producer still making music in your bedroom?
The recklessness of youth. The fact that I didn't really think about what I was doing, but just did it because it was my only reason for being and I was determined to make it in the music world. At the time, we were in the early days of Soundcloud, the platform was exploding and what was exciting and very motivating was being able to see the reaction of people commenting on every part of the track.
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That's a feature I really miss because it allowed people listening to your music to interact specifically at specific times, details that for a producer are super important. There was also the ability to share music at any time of the day or night, it was very exciting to be able to upload a sound I had just finished in half an hour and see how people would react to my new creations.
All this helped me a lot to gain confidence as a beginner producer who was making music in his room, and this with my first computer and a low-end headset. In short, I have very good memories of it.
If you could go back in time, what age would you be again? And what were the soundtracks/albums that defined that period?
This would be at the time of my official debut as Darius 2011-2012. I was 21 years old. That's really the age where I started to assert myself musically. I felt like I could accomplish something and it was a survival period in a way because there was nothing else that mattered other than my new ambitions as a producer.
The "Discovery" album will always be the album that inspired me. The only album that encompasses almost every sound I wanted to hear and inspired me deeply.
Then there are a few classics (among others) that have fascinated me since I was a teenager and that I still listen to today:
Simply Red - Sunrise
The Ones - Flawless
George Michael - Fastlove, Pt. 1
Superfunk - Lucky Star
Jamiroquai - Little L
Patrice Rushen - Remind Me
Far Larry's Band - Act Like You Know
Will Smith - Men In Black
I thought it'd be fitting to ask a question or two related to youth as that's exactly what your latest album exuberates, especially since OASIS is a nod to your teenage years. I'm curious as to what inspired you to go in this direction for the project?
It's very accurate! OASIS is sonically the album where I tried to pay homage to all my early inspirations from my pre-teen years to today. A return to my roots by drawing from a whole bunch of sounds that have remained in my favorites for all these years, and succeeding as much as possible to find myself in childhood. This artistic direction is also a tribute to my mother who shaped my first musical culture. All these inspirations come from the sounds we listened to together and that made us vibrate in the car, in the living room, at parties, etc. This album is the best way to thank her for all those beautiful memories that I keep engraved in my head. She is the first person who always believed in me.
During the creation of OASIS, what was going on in your life and how did that influence the production process?
During the creation, I tried to create inspiring environments in order to be able to move forward in the best conditions of inspiration.
I worked in many studios that I rented in Paris, and I also isolated myself in studio residences far from the capital for weeks at a time to reflect on myself and my music. The goal of these residencies was not to be distracted by anything external. I was looking for every way to continue to assert myself musically without anyone interfering in my choices and my artistic direction. This allowed me to listen to myself in depth. In the end, all the sounds that we find in OASIS came out naturally and stem from this creative process.
What I find beautiful is the fact that the sci-fi/spacey sounds found in your last album Utopia can also be picked up here, especially on "Faded" and "Winter Sadness". Could you elaborate on your fascination with cosmic themes and how they relate to your work and the latest album?
I think that the cosmos is a fascination that we all have deep inside us, to different degrees. For my part, since I was a child I have always naturally looked up at the sky like a dreamy child. I remember my first questions about our existence, about wanting to know what is out there in the universe, how it all works and why we are here. For me, we are here consciously in a material world but we sometimes forget that the magic of this world is right in front of our eyes, every natural light that shines on Earth and as a form of magic already visible. I know that I am and will remain until my last breath moved by a simple sunset, by the stars, by our knowledge and discovery of the cosmos. I believe intimately that the universe is linked to us, to our spirit and that it influences our lives.
I know that this fascination for these themes was strongly stimulated by certain movies/ soundtracks that marked my youth and inspires me consciously and unconsciously in the way I create my music.
How did you go about picking collaborators for OASIS? The list of features is so diverse yet it works beautifully with the overall progression.
Thank you very much! Each collaborator who has been involved in OASIS is an artist I like musically and who accepted my invitation because they also liked the project. I always work on the basis of my heart, no matter the musical genre of the singer or his fame. The most important thing for me is what I feel and if the music makes me vibrate, I spread it.
Talking about progression... In which way does the order of the tracklisting guide the mood you're wanting us as listeners to experience?
I think naturally I tended to organize my tracks according to moods / musical genres. I found that the progression worked well when it started with more organic/funky/groovy sounds and ended with some more airy / electro things to give it some breath. As if we start from the earth to the sky.
It was a pleasure to see Khadja Bonnet on the LP! How did that connection happen, and what were among the lessons you walked away with from your experience working with her?
It was a pleasure for me too. I think perseverance is definitely the lesson I learned the most from this experience. Kadhja Bonet is an artist that I tried to invite on my first album UTOPIA because I was already a fan of her project. Without success because I don't think she really saw my message on Instagram, and I don't think I was really ready to take the challenge either. Looking back, I needed more musical maturity and more resources to pull it all together and carry her voice in the best way possible.
What I was proposing on OASIS was more of a bridge between our two respective worlds. Despite the distance between us, I was very lucky that she was still motivated/involved and willing to try several things on different demos I sent her. We ended up with "Nothing To Me" and I'm really proud of the final result.
After I read your post about why you chose the title OASIS, I'd love to know what being present and being in the moment mean for you?
Sometimes people can tell us that we are present but our minds are elsewhere. As a musician, I always try to be mindful of that with the people I love and be in the moment with them. Being a great dreamer originally has allowed me to develop this creative part of myself. But the present moment with my loved ones reminds me that it is also my greatest inspiration. You have to be able to deal with both.
Okay so, 1) An artist/band you’d love to have a D.M.C (deep meaningful conversation) with 2) An artist you think would be rad to party with 3) An artist you would love to spend a week with in the studio.
Daft Punk
Kaytranada
Tame Impala
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