St.Germain, France - Official Interview

Home
What is Garage?
What is Deep House?
What is Speed Garage?
What is 2Step Garage?

THOUGHTS
INTERVIEWS
CLUBS
RECORDS
EDITOR
ADVERTS
LINKS

Search my site?

What is Garage? || What is Deep House ||
What is Speed Garage? || What is 2-Step Garage

HOME || THOUGHTS || CLUBS || RECORDS || INTERVIEWS || ADVERTS || EDITOR

"Carl's Garage and House Website"

St.Germian, France - Offical Interview

Name:

Navarre Ludovic

St.Germain

Age:

28 years old

Present Location:

Chatou

(France)

Born:

Boulogne Billancourt

(France)

Earliest musical Influences?

1. Was it through being brought up within a musical family?

My Grandfather used to be a fan of the Hammond Organ, and I certainly inherited that from from him, because I'm just like him, a big fan of the Hammond Organ Sound.

Was it through having or being forced to learn to learn a musical instrument?

I learned to play the guitar at the age of 9/10 years of age, but I took only 10 lessons in 2years to become proficient.

3. Was it through listening to the radio, or your mother and fathers records, or to their discussions as to who they liked?

I used to like listening to the Radio (Radio 7) in France, but it didn't influence me in my personnel musical taste because I already loved the kind of music in which they were playing.

Who was your musical idols as a child/ Teenager?

4. Was it James Brown, Marvin Gaye, Stanley Clarke

5. The Commodores, Earth, Wind and Fire, Fleetwood Mac, etc.

Or was it a Particular Sound?

6.The Sound of Philadelphia, Stax, Motown, or the Hiphop influence or certain Rock music influences?

The word hero is a bit exaggerated, but when I was very young, the style that I loved was actually Ska, Reggae, and Dub, the Jamaican Sound.

How did you get into the World of Djing?

7.Was it through taking part in school party ?
8.Djing at a relatives party
9.Or at a local youth club in your area?

10.Where?

I never wanted to become a DJ! The story is that 2 of my best friends offered me my 1^st DJ mixer when I was 15/16 and so, I learnt to mix at home but more in the aim of becoming a remixer than a DJ.

11.What styles of music did you play when you first started out? And Did they help you understand certain techniques
that have to be learnt within the DJ world.

I listened and looked at DJ's like Dynasty and Cash Money….. and Soul music was the first styles of music that I started playing when I ventured out.

12.What styles of music's do you prefer to play today when playing out?

Today I like playing Reggae, Dub, Soul and Funk, Salsa, The Deep House Sound (Chicago and New York) and The New Jersey(Blaze and Smack) Sound.

When I am at home I love to listen to Soul, Rare Groove, Rap Latin music, Jazz, Reggae and Dub music.

13.What do you think of the press in concerns to the music of GARAGE and Deep House music.

They have helped bring us a huge renewal of interest within the music of Garage and Deep House music scene.

14. Have you at anytimes had problems of being misquoted by the press at large (local press, national press or International press)

I have no problems with the press. My dealings concerning the press in general have been very good, even though my interviews seem to be very dark at times!!!

15. Have you managed to travel to England before to DJ??

I haven't planned yet to come to England for a DJ set, but why not. I don't know the Garage scene in England. I only know it does exist, contrary to France where nothing happens.

16.What do you think of the scene within England and France? Is it encouraging, or have we still a lot to learn from the Americans? What do think of Garage newest invention Speed Garage, or the Sunday Scene Sound?

I've only been once to England where I visited a club. This took place last year. Don't ask me to name it because I cannot remember. English House music as viewed in France, seems to have gained a reputation of liking and the playing of Hard house, rather Deep House and Garage. This experience was not great for me. I've got no problems with Hard House, but not all night. Regarding the mentioning of the Sunday Scene Sound or Speed Garage. To be prefectly honest I don't know of its existence yet. Quite frankly, I've been far away from the House scene for quite a while now. I don't know that many clubs within England that play the music that you have mentioned.

Within France, the House sound barely exists. There are a few very good radio stations like Radio Nova, Radio Latina and Radio Africa. However, there is no black music culture as such here in France. France is more orientated towards Pop and Rock music.

18.Are you a resident DJ in any clubs within France?

No. I'm not a resident because there is no House club or scene in France; and secondly its not what I like to do.

19. Would you ever leave FRANCE, if given the chance, circumstances or the opportunities to do so. And if so where?

I've been thinking of coming to London to settle down for a while, but never America. Its too hot, and its a country that bases everything on money. So. No way!!

20. Are DJ's from France listening and taking an interest in the new sounds that are coming out from the rest of the world?

The French peoples are starting to listen and are interested in all sorts of new music's such as Trip Hop and Jungle

21. Given that music and Pop culture in France seems to be dominated by Pop,Rock and Commercial Dance music. Has the French Underground network, set-up Pirate radio stations to get a more truer from the House music that many places in the world take for granted?

I not too sure, but I don't think that there are many pirate radio networks in France, that is geared towards House and Garage music. Radio Nova is a station that I listen to the most. It is one of the few stations that plays new and interesting stuff concerning black music culture.

22. Have you got a special method in constructing new songs or tunes that you put out to your fans and the public at large world wide?

Yes there is a method that I use to create new songs. Its called the PEPE (St. Germain) Method, but I can't tell you any more that that!!!! However, the Hammond Organ Sound that is getting constantly used all around he world just lately cannot be achieved with feeling with these new machines around today. Only the original organs seem to be able to get that feeling, and that sound. I love using real instruments, but I have a weakness for samples also!!

What of Jungle. Do you take any aspiration from this style of music? Also the Time Stretching aspects of Jungle has crept into Garage. What do you think of this?

No, I don't take my aspiration from Jungle. I should maybe use my sound from FNAC, and then add a speed Rap Rhythm.

I do sometimes use Time Stretching myself. To put you straight there is no Time Stretching in Jungle as such, they use VARISPEED.

People who wants can try this PC software http://inside.hku.nl/~bram/hammer/index.htm#downlaod

23.Have you seriously thought of starting up your own label. Who would you like to attract to the label?

Yes, I have already thought of starting up my own label. Here I would sign in my opinion sign up talented peoples only.

24.Is there any rivalry between yourselves and Shazz. Or do you have a good working relationship that sees you within the same field?

Between Shazz, and myself there is no rivalry, because our music is a bit different. He is more pop orientated than me. I am more into Black music that's all.

Shazz and I, have already made singles together, but at this moment there is no plan to do anything with each. I'm very busy at the moment, and I am not only into the Deep House music.

For instances, my next album is more complex than the album that I did previously called Boulevard,. By that I mean more musicians, more producings

In England, and across the world you will be always remembered for the single that you brought out called "Alabama Blues". The mix that drove everybody crazy which the remix duties fell to a young gentleman called Todd Edwards. How did this come about?

I asked Mr.Edwards, if he could do a remix of Alabama Blues, because I liked his samples and his work that he was doing at the time. In fact, this single project came about from you the English people ( as usual!!!) I just fancied the remix Soul and Salsa remix!!!!

Anyway, I'm afraid that it. Please get back to me about your thought concerning this Interview. I'd like to thank St. Germain for his time and effort.

Thanks for the support Carl

Please E-mail me if you have any queries regarding this Interview

carl@garage-music.com

What is Garage? || What is Deep House ||
What is Speed Garage? || What is 2-Step Garage

HOME || THOUGHTS || CLUBS || RECORDS || INTERVIEWS || ADVERTS || EDITOR