Delighted to present episode fifteen of our podcast this week and this one’s a real Christmas treat. After a superb encounter with Systematic’s Greg Gow two weeks ago, we kick on with an uber-talented artist, who has been one of our standout producers this year. He’s a Frenchman (following in the footsteps of Nico Masseyeff) and he’s long been championed by tech legend Laurent Garnier and our very own Ian O’Donovan. He is of course, Xavier Januario, better known to you and I as Oniris. With releases on Flow Vinyl, Herzblut and, most recently Detroit’s KMS this year, he’s laid down a huge marker for 2015. We’re honoured to have him on WWD 015. Enjoy!
WWD : Thanks for taking the time to chat Xavier! You’ve just released your latest EP Back Home on KMS (22/12/14), what can you tell us about the release? Has it been long in the pipeline?
The tracks of my KMS release were finished in March and i spoke for the first time with Dantiez Saunderson at the end of april. He explained to me that they couldn’t release them before November because they had many EPs scheduled until then and it will finally come out in December!!
WWD : We’re delighted to have you featuring in our mix series. Can you give us a little insight about your mix?
For me, working on a podcast is completely different than playing as a dj and that’s what interests me. The audience is in a different mood. When you listen to a podcast, most of the time you are at home, at work or in your car so the music has to be deeper & smoother. I focus on the atmosphere more than on the dance floor side of the music
WWD : You’re following on from Toronto’s Greg Gow, who actually features on your Back Home EP with a quality remix. Do you know Greg well?
Not really, we never met cause he lives in Canada and i live France. First, i contacted him to ask him if he could add me to the promo list of his label Restructured because I love their releases and when i had my release scheduled on KMS, i asked him to remix one of my tracks.
WWD : What was it about his productions that encourage you to have him take part in the release?
I’ve been playing a lot of his releases for years now and I respect him very much as a producer. He had already produced some tracks & remixes for Detroit (Transmat, KMS…) so i thought he could do a great job and that the Saunderson family would love it too.
WWD : Obviously, you’ve been one of the guys impressing us in 2014, we loved your works on Herzblut and Flow Vinyl but we’d love to know what producers have stood out for you this year?
Thanks guys! For me, there are so many talented producers who have really impressed me in 2014 but just to name a few : Gardens of god, Sebastian Mullaert, Alex Niggemann, Ian O’Donovan, Culoe de Song, Ten Walls…
WWD : Any local Nice talent we should keep an eye out for?
Nicolas Masseyeff is for me the best producer around but you already know him…
WWD : Looking back on 2014 what was the stand out moment for you as an artist?
Playing live for the 20 years of the legendary Astropolis festival in France in july, on the same stage than Jeff mills, Scuba and Tale of us. That was huge!
WWD : What can we expect from you in 2015? Have you set any goals for yourself?
New EPs & remixes, some gigs in clubs & festivals where I’ve never played…. My goal is to keep on releasing the music that i love, no matter the genre as long as, in my opinion, it’s good music.
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Beatport : Back Home EP [KMS]