Balance Selections 372: Raw Main

A hour of energetic house from a rising French producer…

Part of a rising generation pushing melodic and organic house into new territory, a Raw Main production is identifiable through hypnotic percussion, detailed sound design and an instinct for atmosphere that feels equally suited to headphones and dancefloors alike. In recent years, he’s built an impressive catalogue with releases landing on Lost Miracle and All Day I Dream, home to his most recent release.

With continued support from respected selectors including Sébastien Léger, Bedouin, Lee Burridge and Roy Rosenfeld, Raw Main has quietly established himself as one of the more intriguing names emerging from the melodic underground today.

On this Balance Selections mix, the French artist threads together organic textures, hypnotic grooves and luminous melodic fragments into a fluid journey through the deeper end of melodic house. Featuring music from Lost Desert, Kebin van Reeken and Jonas Rathsman, it’s an energetic hour of energetic melodic house.

Tracklist

1. Ben Monday – Let The Magic Flow (NODO Remix) {Loot Recordings}
2. Justin Bieber – YUKON (Tom VR Tech Trip Mix) {White Label}
3. Yotam Avni, Khen – Do I Feel (Original Mix)
4. Lost Desert – Aalam Waahid {All Day I Dream}
5. Kyotto – Shelter (Original Mix)
6. Raw Main – Kashmir (Original Mix) {All Day I Dream}
7. André Moret – Kamik (Extended Mix) {Sprout}
8. Raw Main – Theory of Love (Original Mix) {All Day I Dream}
9. Storken, Gusteau – Totoish (Jonas Rathsman Remix)
10. Raw Main – Acrobat Dreamer (Original Mix) {All Day I Dream}
11. Kebin van Reeken – Tribalism (Original Mix) {Synthesis Recordings}
12. Rita Lee & Roberto – Mutante (Gui Boratto Remix)

Name: Romain
Location: Paris
Alias/Producer name: Raw Main
Labels affiliated with: All Day I Dream, Lost Miracle

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It goes quite a long way back—we’re talking about the period between 1995 and 2000, when I was between 10 and 15 years old.

I listened to a bit of everything, but in France, what really dominated at the time was French rap. There was also one album that became truly iconic and is still considered one of the greatest French albums of all time: IAM – L’École du Micro d’Argent (“School of the Silver Mic”).

As a French person, I also have to mention Daft Punk’s Homework. That album is part of our cultural history—it should almost be listed as a historical monument. Daft Punk were true pioneers for my generation. They opened new paths and inspired an entire wave of artists and music lovers.

Back then, the internet wasn’t really developed, so discovering and educating yourself musically required a different approach. My parents weren’t particularly into music, so my sources were television, the radio, and record stores.

Funny story: I was mostly listening to rap at the time, mainly through the radio. One rap station used Smack My Bitch Up by The Prodigy as its intro every day, but only the opening loop. Eventually, I tracked down the full track and absolutely loved it. It was probably one of my first real gateways into electronic music.

That said, the true starting point for me was Daft Punk’s Around the World and Stardust’s Music Sounds Better With You. Those tracks were everywhere and perfectly captured the spirit of the late 1990s. Looking back, they were the soundtrack to a generation and opened the door to an entirely new musical universe for me.

As a DJ, I spend a lot of time digging for new music. I don’t listen to new albums that much, but the last track I bought was ‘Do I Feel (Original Mix)’ by Yotam Avni and Khen on Last Night On Earth.

I played it at my last gig, and I really enjoyed the vibe.

Storken, Gusteau – Totoish (Jonas Rathsman Remix): it’s unreleased 

I will say Citadelle, it’s one of my favorites.

It’s a closing track, I’ve been played this track in many gigs and i love the vibe and its also on the podcast.