Features » Q&A » Berzinque – “I don’t think focusing on social media is the main answer”

Berzinque – “I don’t think focusing on social media is the main answer”

Paris-based DJ and producer Berzingue has recently returned to Point Neuf for his latest EP ‘Architectures’. We asked him to join us for our rapid-fire QnA.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

Don’t mix red and white wine.

What’s the next big thing?

I just released an EP on Pont Neuf and another one is coming soon on Shall Not Fade.

Best club experience?

Sisyphos Berlin with the Pont Neuf Crew.

What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?

When I was 16 I called people to sell them auto-funding PV panels for three weeks.

How do you know when a track’s finished?

When I get bored of it.

What was your last day job and when did you realise you could give it up?

I’m still an architect and honestly, I’m not willing to give it up at the moment.

Which song do you wish you wrote?

Anything by Satie, Ravel or Debussy. In electronic music, it would probably be ‘Deep Burnt’ by Pepe Bradock.

What’s the easiest way to make it in the music industry?

I’ll tell you when I actually make it! But I don’t think focusing on social media is the main answer.

What’s the worst track you’ve ever released?

Under our former name ALVA with Calmos we released a track called ‘It’s all good’. It was not.

Recommend us a film.

Les douze travaux d’Astérix.

Recommend us a book.

Les fous du sons by Laurent De Wilde

What or who is underrated?

ASMR

What or who is overrated?

Ginger and coriander. Do people like eating soap or what?

What do you lust over?

Any top-end studio

What’s the worst gig you’ve ever played?

Won’t name the club, but I remember playing with Calmos when someone spilt a whole pint of beer on the turntables a few minutes before we began. The pitch fader was totally unstable so it was almost impossible to make transitions.

Collaboration: rich creative experience or pain in the ass?

I have done quite a few and it’s never been a pain in the ass.

What’s the secret to a great mix?

A great room and lots of experience I guess. I don’t think that I have either tbh.

If you could only listen to one more track, what would it be?

Maybe a Ricardo Villalobos track because the drums would drop in 5 years and the bass in 10. More seriously, ‘Echoes’ by Pink Floyd or ‘Chameleon’ by Herbie Hancock.

What one piece of software/kit could you not do without? Why?

My RME audio interface. A rock solid, clock-steady unit which has never failed once in more than 5 years.

Art or money?

Art

Ronaldo or Messi?

Zidane

Strangest place you ever wrote a track?

The MPC live has 4 hours of charge so you can find me pretty much everywhere with it. That includes bed at night, with me trying to groove silently when my girl is sleeping, but also the corner of the kitchen while cooking stuff, and even sometimes the WC.

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A post shared by Berzingue / ALVA (@raph.berzingue)

Must-visit record store?

I was absolutely amazed when I entered Amoeba in San Francisco. I admit it’s not the least well-known, but I loved the feeling of coming into a huge library of music.

What’s your favourite label? Why?

So hard to choose but I’d pick R&S for the music they released over the years, and Ed Banger for the creative ideas.

What’s the worst thing about making music?

Being fed up with a track before it’s even released.

What’s your motto?

To thine own self, be true.

Name something timeless

The Blue Note catalogue.

Tweet us a tip. What’s the best production advice you can give in 140 characters or less?

Buy all my releases. Trust me it works. I gave this advice to a young child who could not compose bangers. This young child was Kerri Chandler.

Can music change the world?

Yes since it can change people.

What are you listening to right now?

Right now I’m listening to ‘That Jewel’, a very nice downtempo track with deep vibes from my friends KX 9000 and Cosmonection. Just minutes before I was listening to Tour-Maubourg’s new album ‘Spaces of Silence’.