The former manager of Daft Punk, DJ under the alias Busy P., is the boss of Ed Banger who democratized and internationalized French electronic music. The label (Justice, Cassius, Breakbot…) is celebrating its 20th anniversary and the tour goes through Paloma in Nîmes, this November 25 with the boss in person, but also DJ Myd and guests.
How are you celebrating Ed Banger’s 20th anniversary?
The idea is to get in touch with people. We are a French label, known around the world, and we celebrated 20 years in London. There, all our French friends fell on us: but why don’t you come to Lyon, Toulouse, Nîmes etc.? So, we decided to do around ten dates in cities with which we have affinities. Paloma, I visited the room during its construction, I was in residence there for the label’s 10th anniversary… It’s a place that I love. We’re bringing back artists from the label and guests to make the party even crazier.
You represent the label.
I’ll be there with DJ Myd for Ed Banger. I will do a DJ set with new releases and obviously nods to the label. We invite Mad Rey & Jwles, more hip-hop Parisian artists but also two pretty incredible DJs. One French, Belaria, with new-wave and Italo-disco influences, and one English, Elkka, more house. The idea is to use our reputation to introduce them.
Was the early 2000s still conducive to launching a label?
Not necessarily exactly! In 2003, French electronic music was a bit on the decline, it was normal for the wheel to turn and in all honesty the proposition was less exciting. We launched a label in a spontaneous and disorganized way, which gives it its “fufou” side. I like crushes and encounters. Another detail of the time matters: it was the beginnings of music sharing, of digitalization with a loss of reference to the value of music. It became accessible and free. So it wasn’t a business plan at all!
And it worked… What is the Ed banger sound?
The sound is a mix of cultures: electro music remains the main focus, but I have a hip-hop and heavy metal background. If we add the fact of being from the 80s and 90s generation, of also being comfortable with the use of the image to embody the label, all this gives a particular color to Ed Banger, well in his time and his sneakers. My greatest pride is when people tell me that they only listened to rock or something and that they discovered electronic music with Ed Banger.
“I am proud of this family”
Justice, Cassius, Oizo, Breakbot etc. What success surprised you the most?
The luck I have is to have met different artists who wanted to participate in a common adventure. By signing with Ed Banger you know that there is the family and friends side. Together, there is a group dynamic: Justice’s success motivates others. I am proud of this beautiful family. Afterwards, I always had confidence in what we released, I defended the records like my children, but I couldn’t be convinced that Justice would be as big… Myd is also a good example: the choice of to have an artist who doesn’t necessarily have the criteria of a rockstar, who assumes responsibility, takes stylistic and musical risks, ultimately it’s a nice surprise.
This sound so typical of the French Touch has continued to invade the planet…
The international playing field has been part of my scope and my language since Daft Punk. The luck we have is that we speak to the whole world and there is a real expectation of the revival of French electronic music. This is what I can offer to the artists who join us, my network, my address book and my experience.
What do you see in the rearview mirror of these 20 years?
There are few independent labels that have crossed fashions and eras like that, 20 years is pretty. Today, I tell myself that we have done the job and that it is up to another generation to write its history for French electronic music. But I’m not going to stop there!
“2024 is a bit like the Olympic Games for Ed Banger”
What’s your news?
Spring 2024 will be to the sound of Justice, with this 4th album, the excitement is total. I can give this clue: the group has guests, still confidential, on the record. And then Mr. Oizo or Breakbot will also release their album, 2024 is a bit like the Olympic Games of Ed banger.
Daft Punk, of which you were the manager, continues to generate enthusiasm…
This is the mythical and mystical side of this group. The slightest movement of a little finger will cause a buzz. We can announce that Thomas Bangalter composed the soundtrack for Quentin Dupieux’s next film “Dali” and with obvious joy, we are releasing a two-track vinyl.
What is the economic model of a label in 2023?
The financial model of a label has evolved with partnerships with brands, music for advertising or films, merchandising… For us, it was obligatory for the survival of the label. We have never been afraid to play with the codes of pure marketing while keeping this creative instinct. I invite young people to get started, it’s hard but supporting artists and creating careers is so worth it…
For the sixth year, you are also behind the initiative of “Santa Claus is a love” in Paris, at Rosa Bonheur, mid-December.
Initially, it was an initiative proposed in the 90s by Daft Punk, a Daft club with the idea of collecting toys for associations and underprivileged children in the suburbs around Christmas. With DJ Numa – resident of Rosa Bonheur and DJ Camarguais – we said to ourselves that it would be good to rekindle this flame of generosity of clubbers, come and party and instead of paying you bring back a toy. We partnered with Popular Relief and Rosa. Afterwards, I call my DJ friends and they come.
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