Psychedelic, intoxicating, and unique grooves that surprise and transport. These are the main ingredients of the growing success of Swann Decamme.
Founder of the Parisian label Curiosity Music, this French DJ and producer shines with a tech house to minimal style, and a pronounced taste for hypnotic loops and sound waves.
The quality of his productions is not only recognized by electronic music fans, but also by renowned artists, such as Richie Hawtin, Paco Osuna, Marco Carola, Stacey Pullen and Luciano, whom all support his music on a regular basis.
And as a result, Swann Decamme frequently travels to European and Central American clubs, visiting places like Colombia, Dominican Republic, Saint-Martin as well as London, Barcelona and Paris, delivering deep and brooding DJ sets to adoring crowds…
Balance Selections Q+A
Name: Swann Decamme
Location: London
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swanndecamme
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/swann-decamme
Alias/Producer name: Swann Decamme
Labels affiliated with: Curiosity Music, Dawn Till Dusk, Earthly Delight, Magician On Duty, Time Has Changed
My last 3 releases:
Swann Decamme & Mark Howls – Mystic EP [Earthly Delights]
Swann Decamme & Mark Howls – Elements EP [Dawn Till Dusk]
Swann Decamme, Mark Howls feat. JOMA – Elyxium [Magicians on Duty]
What music did you listen too as a child?
When I was a child, I used to listen to the music my parents liked: rock, punk, jazz-rock, reggae, French songs… Everything but not too commercial. We listened to a lot of music in the car and at home on weekends. Stuff like The Police, The Clash, The Cranberries, Lou Reed, UB40, Jacques Brel, George Brassens, Serge Gainsbourg, U2, B52, Iggy Pop, Bob Marley, The Pixies, The Stranglers, Blondie, Trust, ACDC and so on. My father loves to sing and listen to music. In his youth, he was a singer in a hard rock group.
When was the first time that you realized that you liked electronic music?
After graduating from high school in the city where I spent my childhood, I went to university there. I had a friend who usually went out in clubs and I was fascinated with becoming a DJ, so I decided to look for a school to learn how to mix. My parents had settled in the south of France and a school had just started in the city where they lived. So I left university at the end of my first year to join this school. I didn’t know it yet, but from there I really got into music. In all, I studied for six years in four different schools.
Which producers/artists/acts inspire you?
I love The Pixies, their album “Doolittle” is sublime! I can listen to it any time of the day, it’s magic! You know what, I’m going to listen to it now! In electronic music, I discovered Dubfire about eight years ago and I was immediately caught by this sound. I’ve always loved Dubfire’s music, he really has a unique style.
What was the last album that you downloaded/bought?
I bought the vinyl album from Japanese artist Kazuya Nagaya ‘Dream Interpretation’ published on Dubfire’s label SCI+TEC. Nothing to do with the techno-minimal generally associated with SCI+TEC. It’s a very chill album with beautiful moods! I invite you to listen to it, it’s so soothing.
What is your current production and DJ set up like?
My music studio with all my equipment is in my parents’ house in the south of France. I had installed a “box in the box” system using Bode diagram and all the other techniques I learned during my studies. I built my own studio with different types of materials. The acoustic is superb, and the view is incredible.
I used to spend entire days in it working nonstop. I have lots of great memories there. I miss it at times! After leaving the family home, I finished my Bachelor at the SAE Institute in Paris, so I continued to produce music but with a more limited set up: Ultrasone Pro 900 headphones, some plug-ins, samples, Ableton or Logic and my MacBook. Nothing more.
I opened up to collaborations with a lot of artists and I used to compose in their studios. It was cool and it opens up the field of creativity. Besides, as you can see, Mark Howls and I really work well together. We are like partners in crime, there is a real alchemy when we are both in the studio.
Regarding my DJ set up, I started almost ten years ago with CD and vinyl turntables. After going into the studio, I started mixing with Traktor (2 X1). I must say that I love playing on 4 decks, it opens up the possibilities with effects, loops, etc. I feel a bit like in the studio. I play from time to time on CDJ but not often. In fact, I find it rather boring.
What releases do you have on the horizon?
I just released an EP (Mystic) on the New York label Earthly Delights. There are three tracks composed with Mark Howls which I am proud of.
In May, another EP will be released on Magician On Duty, a label from Miami. We are going to release an Instrumental version of “Elyxium”, a track that was published last October (this track reached the Beatport Deep-House top 7) and four remixes from Double Touch, Nhii, Quatri and Baez. I’m really looking forward to this!
Then I have an EP produced with my friend Djena which will be released on Time Has Changed, Timid Boy’s Parisian label. They will do a remix.
Talking about studio work, I have an EP with two tracks in progress with Mark Howls and three tracks with Djena.
Where can we hear you perform?
I came back a few weeks ago from Saint-Martin island where I played at the SXM Festival, it was great! Sadly, I had to cancel a tour in the United States and the Dominican Republic because of the borders closure and the Coronavirus health crisis… It is sad, but I really hope that the situation will soon improve.
I co-founded the L’Amour à la plage events. I am the artistic director for that event, and also a resident DJ. Our next event will take place at Ti Sable in Martinique, as soon as we are allowed to have gatherings again.
More info here: https://www.facebook.com/lamouralaplage
Tell us more about the podcast you made for Balance?
I have included most of my last tracks released in the last twelve months as well as upcoming tracks and other wonders to discover. Thanks for the invitation!
My Recommendations
The top track in my DJ wallet currently is:
Patrice Baumel, Audiofly – Atacama (Original Mix)
If I could recommend only one of my tracks for you to listen to it would be:
Swann Decamme, Mark Howls – Pacific (Original Mix) [Earthly Delights]
If I could recommend only one track for you to listen to it would be:
Pixies – Where Is My Mind
Balance Selections 126: Swann Decamme
Tracklisting:
01. Swann Decamme, Mark Howls – Elements (Original Mix)
02. Hraach, Armen Miran – Gravitation (Original Mix)
03. Swann Decamme, Mark Howls – Pacific (Original Mix)
04. Swann Decamme, Mark Howls – Myriad (Original Mix)
05. Swann Decamme, Mark Howls feat JOMA – Elyxium (Baez Remix)
06. Swann Decamme, Mark Howls – Mystic (Original Mix)
07. Lazarusman, Urmet K – The Meeting (Baez Remix)
08. Guy Gerber – What To Do (&ME Remix)
09. Jonas Saalbach, Fulltone – Mahe (Jonas Saalbach Remix)
10. Hrag Mikkel, Pambouk – Ashoon (Original Mix)
11. B Sophie Hunger ‘There’s Still Pain Left’ (Laolu Remix)
12. Butch – Lale (Original Mix)
13. Lena Platonos – Bloody Shadows from Afar (Original Mix)
