#Interview Rodmusic x Aslove

How did the Aslove story begin?

It all started when I discovered Justice and suddenly wanted to move from rock to electronic music. At first, I was trying to do the same thing as them, and over the years I started to find my own style, which led me to the music I make today, which I like to call Electro Pop.

When you were younger, did you already dream of working in music?

Yes, but in a different way. I was really drawn to the technical side and to the sound engineers at gigs. I used to draw them afterwards, trying to recreate every little knob I had seen on their mixing desk.

Your father is a huge rock fan, and thanks to him you quickly made your first covers of Gorillaz, Radiohead and the Stones… Where did the idea of reworking those tracks in a completely different style come from?

Yes, my father’s musical culture opened me up to lots of genres, and so to lots of different artists and bands. The idea of reworking certain tracks came to me quickly because back then I had never written any original tracks. So, as the easy option, I started with covers.

Do you think covers like these would have been as well received a few years earlier?

When I put my first covers online, they had already been in fashion for several years, but that was really the moment radio stations started playing them on air. That’s what then happened to me when Radio FG played my cover of ‘Put Your Records On’ without anyone even asking them to.

Isn’t the general public more open-minded musically than before?

That’s a hard question to answer because, on the one hand, technology lets us keep pushing sonic experimentation further in our tracks… But on the other hand, we’ve never had so many tracks in similar styles on the radio or in the charts as we do today.

A year ago, the world discovered you with “Put Your Records On”, a Corinne Bailey Rae cover. Can you tell us the story behind that track?

I came across a cover of the song on the page of Australian singer Mia Wray and had the idea of using her voice to create a new track. It was just for my social media, originally. But shortly afterwards, Radio FG contacted me via Soundcloud to ask for permission to play the track. That was the starting point of my ‘professional’ career.

Aslove - Put Your Records On ft. Mia Wray (video)

You went to the United States to shoot the video?

Yes, together with my label, we went to shoot my first video in New York. The experience was absolutely crazy. I savoured those few days because it was an indescribable opportunity for a young producer like me to live something like that so early in my career.

What has changed in your life since the success of that track?

Not much, apart from the fact that I work twice as hard as before. I’m in my studio pretty much all the time, when I’m not at a gig, in a club or at a festival.

Your music has quite a romantic side. Are you romantic in real life?

I’m all for love in my music, and in real life. I’m not called Aslove for nothing (haha)…

A few months after the success of “Put Your Records On”, you were asked to do an official remix of “Bon Appétit”, Katy Perry’s single. How did you react?

It was incredible to get that chance. When my label floated the idea of getting my hands on Katy Perry’s ‘Bon Appétit’, I couldn’t believe it. For me, she is a real pillar of Pop culture. I also admire one of her producers, the brilliant Max Martin, who has written countless hits. So when I received the parts to start the remix, I got a real lesson in how Americans work in the studio. And I had a great time working on the vocal parts, which were of exceptional quality. After that, I had to be patient before her management told us my remix had been approved. I was really proud!

Katy Perry - Bon Appétit (ASLOVE Remix) ft. Migos

A remix EP of your latest single “So High” has just come out. It features Hugel, Le Marquis and Retrovision, three major artists on the French electronic scene. Was choosing them a personal decision?

It was a decision I made together with my manager, who knows the French electronic scene inside out. Hugel meant a lot to me because it’s thanks to him that I got to work with Norma Jean Martine, the singer on ‘So High’. Since I had remixed his track ‘Baby’ last summer and I play his remixes a lot, I really wanted him on this pack. As for LeMarquis, I really like him and we’ve had similar journeys. He also made a name for himself by posting covers and unofficial remixes on Soundcloud. I recently remixed his single ‘Up All Night’, so it felt natural to invite him to remix me. The result is really top quality, so much so that the YouTube channel ElectroPosé immediately shared it with its million subscribers. Finally, I wasn’t really familiar with RetroVision because he works on the EDM-leaning future-house scene, which isn’t necessarily the one I know best. My manager played me his productions and his latest remixes and I was blown away by the quality of his production. He too managed to deliver a great remix of ‘So High’, with a very club-ready, up-to-date approach. In the end, I’m really happy with this 100% French remix pack!

Aslove - So High (Remixes)

Lots of artists talk about real solidarity and camaraderie on the French electro scene. Is that something you feel at your level?

Absolutely. Over the past year, I’ve met lots of other artists I get on well with, like Huko, Hugel and Kungs, whom I met for the first time at the Pool Party by DJ Mag last summer, opening the Electrobeach festival in Port-Barcarès.

What should we expect over the coming months?

Lots of remixes for artists like LeMarquis, Maan On The Moon, Kev and Mosimann. But above all, the release of my EP ‘Preface(s)’, with my latest single ‘So High’ as the first taste. The release date will be announced soon, I can’t wait! Follow me on social media @aslovemusic so you don’t miss a thing…