Artist Interviews

Q&A: Kris Menace

By | Published on Thursday 3 February 2011

Kris Menace

German-born Christophe Hoeffel assumed his now iconic Kris Menace alias in 2005, having worked as a DJ and producer since the mid 90s. He has since garnered a reputation as a prolific mixer, building through the years a diverse remix roster including tracks by Kylie, Robbie Williams, Metronomy, Air and LCD Soundsystem. His debut single ‘Discopolis’, a 2005 Vulture Music release, burgeoned from underground beginnings into a massive house anthem, dominating Ibiza dancefloors that year.

Numerous further singles followed, including collaborations with key electro house figures Alan Braxe, Felix Da Housecat and Fred Falke, the latter of which was released via Kris’ own label Compuphonic. 2009 saw Kris form the Black Van side project with DJ koweSix (from Hamburg electro outfit Moonbootica), releasing ‘Yearning’ via DFA and then ‘Moments Of Excellence’ through Permanent Vacation.

He then turned to Steve Angello’s SIZE label for the release of 2010 EP ‘Masquerade’, and has stayed put for new double A-side single ‘Phoenix/Triangle’, which is out now. To find out more, we caught up with Kris to ask the Same Six Questions.

Q1 How did you start out making music?
My sister introduced me to techno in 1991. Two years later I found myself in a studio with a friend who showed me everything from Cubase to Notator (Logic). I learned by doing, you could say.

Q2 What inspired your latest album?
Honestly, I can’t really say that I was inspired by something. I just did what I liked at the time.

Q3 What process do you go through in creating a track?
Most of the time I have an idea in mind when I go into the studio, that’s before switching anything on. Once the idea is there everything goes very fast. I like to create music out of moments, rather than working on a track for weeks until it’s perfect. If you try to make it perfect you will lose the magic.

Q4 Which artists influence your work?
Whenever I listen to something, I absolutely absorb it. So my answer needs to be: everybody that I have ever listened to!

Q5 What would you say to someone experiencing your music for the first time?
I hope you enjoy it!

Q6 What are your ambitions for your latest album, and for the future?
I hope to make more outstanding music and to create more side projects like I already have done with Black Van, Menace and all the others…

MORE>> kris-menace.com



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