Anetha is part of a new generation of French musicians and artists putting the electronic music scene there on the global map. For years over shadowed by hard hitting neighbouring countries. France, and Paris in particular have now started to come into their own and show the world what they are capable of. Originally from the south of France Anetha moved to Paris for her studies but quickly fell into the techno scene there where she began her journey.
Joining forces with other like minded creatives in the city she is now the resident of one of the most exciting parties in the city, Blocaus. With constant changes in location and lineup you never know what to expect from the Blocaus parties. Ahead of her appearance at Weather Festival this June, we had the pleasure of talking with Anetha and got to find out a little bit more about what makes her tick.
- How did you get involved in the techno scene here in Paris?
I originally come from Bordeaux, from the south of France, and I was playing there in small bars and parties for fun next to my architecture’s studies.
I moved to Paris for my master degree five years ago and this city helped me to develop more and more my passion for techno music.
After a year in Paris, thanks to Blocaus and other great collectives such as Sonotown and Concrete, I’ve been progressively able to find my place here and to play in the best venues in Paris !
- Do you have any sort of musical background? I’ve heard you’re a bit of a record collector.
When I was young, I started to listen some new-wave’s and electronic stuffs from my parents. I think that’s why now, I really like (and try !) to oscillate between different styles of electronic music : techno of course, but I also love acid, ravy melodies and strong grooves. My sets always contains some 90’s old school tracks too.
Regarding my vinyls collection, that’s right ! I still buy and love to play a lot of them, and I always bring some secret or special ones for my sets 🙂
- When and how did you become part of the Blocaus parties?
I’m part of the Blocaus project since the very beginning. I met Farouk (which is my manager now) and his brother four years ago during a party in Paris, and we quickly discovered that we had the same passion for techno music, the same influences and the same ambition to do something for the capital’s night techno scene. They were looking for a resident, and Blocaus was born !
After some parties, Exal joined the team, and recently, we added AWB and BLNDR in the rooster. Sometimes, I like to share the decks with them for fun !
Farouk and his Brother Mehdi manage this project with passion. We are a little friendly structure that organizes party monthly, and we often try to change our venues (such as la “Machine du Moulin Rouge”, the “Electric”, the “Rex Club”, the “Trabendo” or the “Cabaret Sauvage”), because our generation loses interest quickly, and that’s why we move regularly, adapting our line-ups in relation to these different venues, their capacities, their atmospheres, etc.
- The electronic music scene in Paris has gone from strength to strength in the last few years, can you talk to us about its recent explosion in popularity?
Since about five years now, we can notice a comeback to the 90’s alternative culture in Paris. Each weekends, most of the clubs are now proposing a lot of great techno or house events. We do not have to envy other countries anymore, and that’s really great !
One of the significant and main difference is that, compared to the 90’s culture, the movement is now trying to grow with the society, and not against like it was before. We are less in the conflict. The promoters are now working with the authorities, the politics and laws to try to make these ephemeral escapes happen. The approach is not the same as the one of the 90’s, but the passion is still there, and grow more and more everyday !
Also, it’s really important to notice that we are a really good team of DJs and producers in Paris, and that we get on really well with each other. Personally, I feel a real mutual support and a deep respect to each other, doesn’t matter the style, house or techno. Everyone has his place in the actually french scene, and this contributes to the emergence of the Parisian techno scene.
- How have places like Concrete helped the development of the Parisian scene?
The Concrete’s crew is part of the genesis of this movement and is linked to the development of this popularity in Paris for sure, such as Sonotown, Blocaus, and a lot of collectives which are born more recently ! They did a lot for this renewal since more than five years now, and still does !
- How would you compare the music scene in Paris to other European cities around Europe? E.g Berlin, London, Amsterdam.
As I said before, we do not have to envy other cities like Berlin, London or Amsterdam anymore. We now have a real place in the european techno scene. And everybody is recognizing it.
Of course, we can still find some differences 🙂 If I had to compare, I would say that we maybe still don’t have the same underground vibe as Berlin (as it is still sometimes difficult to organize events in warehouses or original places), but we have our special vibe, really festive, and of course a great public, which is maybe younger, but always super motivated, and more and more expert and demanding in this kind of music.
- In 2015 we saw you release your first record, what can we expect from you in this coming year and what is it going to sound like?
I’m super excited about lots of things which are coming for me this year 🙂
I’m first really thrilled about great coming gigs in France and abroad, and about a Slam Radio podcast which will be out next month.
Regarding productions, I first did a techno and ravy track for a various artists on the great “Reclaim Your City” Label from Berlin, which will be out the June 14th, alongside Francois X, Abayomi and I/Y. For this special occasion, I have the privilege to have a super videoclip made by “the29novfilm” team !
My second EP for Work Them records will be finally out in September with remixes from Spencer Parker and Antigone, and a new special track of mine, maybe more “soft” ahahah 🙂
Also, big project’s coming for us, I will manage with Farouk from Blocaus our own techno label which will be launched in September with another EP from me and a great remixer, and some other releases are planned too, I’m so excited !
Of course, others super cool projects will be announced soon : other releases on dutch and french label, another video clip with Camera Plume, maybe a new-wave track I’m working on, etc. 🙂
- How would you describe Parisian techno’s sound?
Difficult question 🙂 We really have a lot of great things coming from a lot of Parisian artists and producers now.
If I had to choose one track, I would maybe say the Antigone’s one : “And when the sky was opened » :
- Weather festival is just around the corner, are you excited to be back playing there again?
NO, NO, SO BORING ! 🙂
I’m joking, of course it’s a privilege to share the scene of one of the biggest event of the year, with such a great line-up and an amazing and crazy location on the “Bourget” airport.
This time I will play for the main event Sunday evening alongside UVB, Blawan and Len Faki so, I don’t have the choice, I really need to smash the winter room !
- What do festivals like Weather mean to the electronic music scene in Paris?
It means that the public for the electronic music scene is growing. It’s a great thing, and an amazing event since four years now, with huge line-ups.
This kind of events allow the Weather crew to propose some unique program, with the big names of course, but also with super new projects or exclusives back-to-backs, and that helps Paris to attract more and more foreign people and to reaffirm it’s now well deserved place in the top European house and techno destinations.
Follow Anetha on Facebook and check out her upcoming gigs on RA
Listen to Anetha on Soundcloud.