Photo: Fernanda Mattos

The French-born, Berlin-based artist is an accomplished producer, live act, label-owner of Dame-Music and DJ, stunning crowds with her vinyl sets Bloody Mary encompasses all aspects of an established electronic musician: she’s a vinyl DJ, she’s a producer, she performs live, and she’s been running the label Dame-Music since 2010.

2020 shows no signs of slowing down: a full collaboration EP with Cardopusher is set to drop in February, including a remix from Sarin. This will be followed by a double vinyl release to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of Dame-Music. The release will include tracks from label artists as well as some exclusives from special guests.

TF: Tell us something about you. What’s your background? Where did you studied and who influenced you to explore musical processes?

BM: Hi guys! Thanks for the invite. Well, I started listening to electronic music when I was a teenager. I was going to illegal rave parties in the south of France and I started buying the records I was listening to on the weekend. I’ve had a special attraction to vinyl (of any genre) since a young age. If I had to name someone who influenced me it would be Laurent Garnier, as he did so much for the techno scene in France back in the 90’s. He had a real voice and was even on national TV standing up for what he believes in.

TF: What do you think is the role of new technology in composing music? Do you rely more on digital or analog sound?

BM: I like working with hardware gear while jamming in the studio. In my opinion, it’s more fun like this, and I love that I can actually make music while standing up and dancing to get into the groove. After that, I record into my DAW (I use Ableton). This is the moment when I sit to arrange, process and mix the track. These days I’m more patient while working with my computer than I used to be, that’s maybe the reason why I now record my instruments with less external effects on them. I like spending time working with software effects. To be honest I don’t really care about digital or analog, but more about my creativity and the final sound that comes out at the end.

Photo: Marie Staggat

 

TF: What new hardwares did you apply to make ‘Conformity Kills’ LP? Do you have a particular method while working in the studio?

BM: Usually I start working on the bassline(s) and jamming with my hardware gear for the rest. I only record if I have the direction of the track in my head. I don’t like having many loops in my laptop (I hate it actually, lol..) Regarding the Conformity Kills EP, for my part I made the 2 acid lines with my Xoxbox. I added some FX noises with my PRO II and used mostly the TR 707 for the drums.

TF: Which aspects of sound have you been examining recently? Is the impression that your music produces on the audience important for you?

BM: Spending time in the studio over the years makes me feel more and more confident while exploring new sounds. I’m in the studio almost every day and I love to work on different styles of music. For the last few months, I’ve been working on abstract sounds and using a lot effects. I normally like my club productions to sound raw but I also love to use a lot of effects while working on projects not oriented for the club. I hope to share these new projects and music with you one day.. who knows.

TF: In this EP you had a deep collaboration with Cardopusher. What time did you need until you sorted things out and started working effectively together?

BM: The idea to work on the project came when we first met last year, as we spent the day talking about gear and music production. Regarding the EP, we didn’t actually work in the studio together as we don’t live in the same country. We sent files/projects to each other online, and we did the full record really quickly, as we both work fast. Both of us took part in the whole production process, from recording and arranging to the final mix.

TF: Our typical question … any book or movie that you would like to recommend to the public to feed your creative side?

BM: Charles Baudelaire – “Les Fleurs du Mal” (The Flowers of Evil). I was heavily influenced by this amazing book during the time I was working on my first album “Black Pearl”. I also named each track on the LP after poems from it.

TF: What are you working on now? What ideas or plans do you have for your future work?

BM: 2020 is a special year as I’m celebrating the 10 year anniversary of my label Dame-Music. A double vinyl is actually under construction, including tracks from label artists and some special guests. This special edition will be out in the summer and will coincide with a series of label nights in my favourite clubs around the world. I’m currently working on a new live set and on some other projects for friends for their labels … More news coming soon!

TF: To say goodbye, what can you tell us about the premiere track you publish with us? Any experience during the creative process? Why Sarin for the remix?

BM: I asked Sarin to do the remix as he is one of my current favourite producers. He added his own touch to the original track “Out Of Control” which already has a strong identity. I like the way that he didn’t use much of the vocal, but kept the 2 original basslines. I think his remix is brilliant!

TF: Thank you dear! …

Listen exclusively, “Out Of Control (Sarin Remix)”.