Laurent Garnier interviewed by Layo
The pair catch up before Laurent's eight hour set at The End
The End's Layo caught up with the one and only Laurent Garnier for a chat before his marathon eight hour set down the club in August '04, and this is what he had to say...
Layo: How you feeling today?
Laurent: Very good thank you... what about you?
Good, thanks! Having begun your DJ career in Manchester and marrying an English woman does England have a special place in your heart?
It always has, you can't beat English mushy peas and Marmite buttys
What countries do you particularly like to visit and perform in?
My favourite has always been Japan, Ireland, Scotland, England and Belgium... it's been like that for years.
How do the French and English club scenes compare?
It's very simple. You have a club scene and we have not. You can count the all club scene in France on your fingers... pretty pathetic hein!
How do you prepare for an eight hour set?
For any kind of sets (from 3 to 8 hours) it takes me usually about a day and a half to do my records... it's not about preparing the mixes, it's more like re-listening every single record each time. I take my job very seriously, sometimes a club will wait a long time to get a date with me, so the least I can do is to be ready to give them a good night, it's a matter of respect.
Beyond the performance, what are some of the best aspects that you enjoy as being a DJ?
It's all about sharing... that's what it's all about. The performance is absolutely irrelevant. It's sharing the music, the vibes, with the crowd, that's the real thing.
You take your website very seriously, its online radio and your chat forum - how has the Internet influenced what you do?
A lot. Talking with the people on my web site has helped me a lot to know what people want. For example there was since a couple of years a very big demand for a new mix CD compilation, so I started thinking about Excess Luggage... it's the same when I get tones of mails asking me to play in a country, I usually try to get it sorted.
We picked up a bootleg the other day of your Crispy Bacon and George Kranz's 'Din Da Da' - do you play any bootlegs?
Yes I do, when they are good, and there's a lot of really cool ones at the moment... I actually want a copy of that one, I heard it and I would love to play it... I think it's a funny one. Can I take this opportunity to say that I am searching for a bootleg of AC/DC and Miss-e Elliot together... If somebody can help me on that, it would be wicked.
Any new music soon from you?
Ohhhhh yes. First a 12 inch on F Com I did with Llorca under the project name of Marl Chingus, and then the album is on the way... but for that I need to finish it, but it should be out by the end of the year.
You have made interesting video promos for your music -are you involved in this medium?
Images has always played a big part on the expansion of electronic music. I've made music lately for a long featured film ,a couple of shorts and a long featured cartoon. Cinema is a great angle for electronic music producers.
What kind of films do you like?
Pretty fucked up ones, and English comedy!
Thanks Laurent
Published: 1/08/2004
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