Minuit Machine is a popular french female duo. Despite making ‘dark wave vocal-based techno’ their listening tastes are diverse. With their new EP Basic Needs recently released, we asked them to run us through their favourite records.
What’s the first record you ever bought?
Amandine: Spice Girls – “Spice”
I think it must have been the album I listened to the most in my life as I must have played it 3 or 4 times a day for 2 or 3 years ahah. I miss the times when we used to buy 3 or 4 records a year max and listen to them constantly until we knew every part by heart!
Hélène: Ace of Base – “The Sign”
I remember being really proud to own this album as it was perceived as cool in the ’90s. But listening to it now, I’m not so sure it was that good… I even had a different memory of it, something more dance music… and it’s not….!
The first time you remember hearing electronic music?
Amandine: At my first party, when I was in high school! Someone put Benny Benassi – “Satisfaction”, and I loved this track instantly! I was listening to alternative rock and grunge so it was quite different from what I had heard until then! It was the first time I felt the beat in my body and the need to dance without paying attention to the people around me.
Hélène: I was taking some modern jazz dancing lessons when I was a kid and I remember watching the performance of the older students at the end of the year. They were performing on I Like to Move it from Reel 2 Real and it was so good and fascinating. I’ve been listening to this track a lot after that, trying to dance and look as sexy as they looked on stage but I didn’t have that talent..haha!
Your favourite ever record?
Amandine: Lana Del Rey – “Ultraviolence”
I listen mainly to electronic music and mostly techno music, but this album is so comforting to me. Both sad and epic. It brings out lots of emotions in me, and I listen to it every time I need to feel inspired.
Hélène: Radiohead – “Ok Computer“
This is the first album I ever loved, like really loved. My first musical crush. I still listen to it sometimes. The emotions that it makes me feel are indescribable, it almost hurts, every time.
The guaranteed floor-filler?
Amandine: Midnight Vices – “Release The Pressure”
Actually I love all of Midnight Vices tracks! They all have a great energy, and really strong beats.
Hélène: Boy Harsher – “Pain”
There’s something about this song that talks to everybody. It’s sensual, violent, slow and irresistibly danceable at the same time.
The guilty pleasure?
Amandine: The Pretty Reckless – “Make me Wanna Die“
I don’t really feel guilty though, and it reminds me of my teenage years ahah
Hélène: Isabelle Adjani – “Pull Marine”
I love this song so much, I just can’t explain why. It’s so depressing and cute, this is a very weird mix that you can often find in Serge Gainsbourg’s songs that works on me very well.
The last track of the night?
Amandine: Minuit Machine – “Don’t Run From The Fire”
I think it’s a very sensual track, with a slow BPM that makes your body chill out a bit after hours of hard techno!
Hélène: Ka:ast – “The Infinite Thoughts“
This is exactly my kind of (hybrid) techno and such an inspiration for me.
The best chillout record?
Amandine: Kendal – Manifesto
I love dark disco in general, but this EP in particular.
Hélène: M83 – “Hurry Up We’re Dreaming”
I love the feelings of hope, peace and nostalgia that you can find in this record. It’s a feel good, relaxing therapy for me.
The best record for a family party?
Amandine: Creedence Clearwater Revival – “Transmission Impossible”
Another not-so-guilty pleasure 🙂
Hélène : Rone – “Room With a View”
We all have different tastes in my family but I think this is the kind music that we should all enjoy.
The soundtrack to a lazy Sunday afternoon?
Amandine: Tempers – “Services”
One of my favorite tracks ever is Strange Harvest! Actually, it’s even perfect if it’s a rainy Sunday!
Hélène: Air – “Virgin Suicides”
Yes…I think Sunday afternoons are depressing.
The record you’re proudest of?
Amandine: I would say our latest EP Basic Needs because it’s a mix between techno and dark wave, and I think it’s exactly what we had in mind while creating it (which is rare to achieve ahah).
Hélène: Our previous EP Don’t Run From The Fire. I felt like we finally reached the kind of music we were aiming to do. A genre we are developing in Basic Needs.
The future classic?
Amandine: Hante. – “Blank Love”
Ok, maybe I’m not 100% objective, but it’s the perfect mix between emotional and deep beats!
Hélène: Fraunhofer Distraction – “Aerial”
For those who like Witch House, I think this track is gonna become a classic of the genre.
Minuit Machine Basic Needs is out now and available on Bandcamp. Follow them on Instagram.