Busy P / Pedro Winter Interview

Is managing Daft Punk the best job in the world? We find out...

Busy P aka Pedro Winter has enjoyed an illustrious career in the music industry as a promoter, artist manager, label manager and DJ/producer. He became Daft Punk's manager in 1996 when their career was in its infancy, and has continued to work with them ever since. In 2002 he launched Headbangers Entertainment, which looks after some of the best talent coming out of France, including Daft Punk, Cassius and DJ Mehdi. Headbangers Entertainment soon spawned his record label, Ed Banger Records which has become one of the most exciting labels in house music with artists such as Uffie, Justice and Mr. Flash all falling under its umbrella. Busy P is the permanent support DJ for Daft Punk, and has played alongside them all over the world, developing his reputation as a top DJ in the process, whilst also making a name for himself as a talented producer. As Pedro geared up for his set at Underwater alongside the legendary Carl Craig and Darren Emerson in October '06, we caught up with him for an interview...

Endclub.com: Hi Pedro. As some of The End's crowd may not have heard you DJ before, how would you describe your style behind the decks?

Busy P: A UK club mogul once said I was a sort of Erol Alkan meets Dimitri from Paris... which I took as a compliment. I play more electro these days, not really into this minimal shit... Let's say Bootsy Collins fighting with LFO !

Having enjoyed a career as both an artist manager and label manager as Pedro Winter, and as a producer and performer in your own right as Busy P, what side of your work gives you most satisfaction?

I think the whole package is important for me. I like to DJ to make the crowd sweat, I like to have a label to make the new star shine and I like to be a manager to ask for crazy stuff on the riders!

You're contribution to electronic music over the last ten years has been huge, what do you feel has been your greatest achievement?

I'm proud of being there 10 years later. I still have a lot of work and a lot to prove. All I want is to be there in 10 years again. I feel very lucky too. Being in the Daft Punk adventure for so long is a gift.

As a DJ, you regularly supported Daft Punk on tour, what is your best memory from that time? Are there any particularly special gigs that stand out?

Bad memory in Italy in Rimini, I was beat up by the crowd! Amazing moment, Coachella 2006, first Daft Punk show in 9 years, I cried (for real).

You have an enviable track record for fostering and nurturing talented new acts. What's the secret to great A&R?

If there was a secret A&R would be easy... A&Rs prefer to go out and spend their label money in night clubs... All we need is passion and love for what we do. I think we have responsabilities for our music culture. I want to keep electronic music inovative and fresh.

Ed Banger is one of the most exciting labels in electronic music right now, what do you think is so special about the current crop of artists coming out of France?

French kids are into Hip Hop, House & Rock. They know what's they talk about, so they can mix up all their influences easily whithout trying to be 'cool'. It's a chance. France was hot musicaly in 1997 (thanx to Daft Punk).
I'm more than happy that the flame is back in town , and even more lucky to see that people like you are interested in our work.

What have we got to look forward to from Ed Banger in 2007, and where do you see the label going musically over the next years?

We're gonna release Justice album in April, then Uffie, then Mr Flash. I'm so proud to put out 3 first albums. We also have a bunch of singles from the artists of the label, and also some surprises from some friends.

What can we expect from you in the future as an artist? Do you have plans to write more music?

I plan to put out a 12'' before summer 2007. I did remixes for DJ Hell & Fancy, I hope I'll do more if I have time. I also have ideas for my Busy P album...

We're hoping to hear some super-exclusive upfront Parisian magic - anything special we should be listening out for? Are there any tracks you're particularly looking forward to hearing on The End's soundsystem?

All I ask to the crowd at The End is to be crazy and have fun. I DJ for them, I'm not there to show off my good taste ! I'll play a ton of new stuff from Paris. Also, I'm so proud to play The End, i've been there a lot as clubber. One of my best DJ souvenirs is when I played back to back with Jacques Lu Conte a few years ago, what a night!

Last word will go to Darren Emerson who invite me for the Underwater party.
THANK YOU mate! So proud to be next to you and Carl Craig, Old School x New School, this is the secret. Eternal Respect!

Published: 15/10/2006

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