'Getting that house feeling' with Chez Damier

Photo: Chez Damier / Credit: Kyo

House music seems to everywhere at the moment. Never before has the genre enjoyed such widespread success in both the underground and the mainstream, with legions of new producers keener than ever to deliver their own take on the sound, leading to a whole variety of exciting new innovations based on that original house template.

Stemming from a select few pioneers at the start of the movement, responsible for breaking the mould and creating work tantamount to genius, these figureheads carefully cultivated the fledging house scene from its infancy in Chicago and Detroit through to the worldwide success story that it is today.

One of those figures is Chez Damier, who since the early nineties has been one of the true pioneers of the deep house scene. From his very first release on KMS (listen to that above) through to his latest release on Popcorn, Chez has set the gold standard for matching floor ready house beats with thoughtful, soulful melodies that transcend the furtive movements that exist within the world of house music.

Ahead of his appearance for Content's 5th Birthday this Friday, Ben Smith spoke to Chez about his history in Chicago, Detroit and New York, his thoughts on house music crossing over into the mainstream, and finding God.

You're set to play Manchester for Content's 5th Birthday at Spektrum on Friday, are you looking forward to it? What have been your previous experiences of playing in Manchester?

Yes I am very excited to be a part of the Content's Birthday. I have had the pleasure of visiting Manchester over 15 years, it's one of my most favourite cities in the UK.

You’re rightly described as a legend in house music circles, does that status bring any burdens with it? How do you react generally to that status?

I am very thankful for who the people and fans say that I Am. It’s a bit strange for me to hear it because I always thought that all legends were dead, so to my surprise I guess I am a living one. Burdens, maybe because it is such a high honor to live up to.

You're originally from Chicago which has a rich history in the evolution of house music itself, so how did you get drawn to Detroit which is where you opened the Music Institute?

The story is a book itself so I will keep it simple. Chicago taught me dance, Detroit taught me production, New York taught me sound, the UK gave me understanding and Europe is teaching me how to master it.

The Music Institute was pivotal towards the evolution of house and techno, what was it about that club, why was it so important? Where do you think we would be without it?

The Music Institute was important because we were all such young people trying to move the nightlife forward in Detroit. It was a juice bar in which our inspiration came from Chicago. As far as where would I’d be without it, um still Chez Damier, but maybe a fashion designer, or a whole another person like a defence lawyer.

Back in 1996 yourself and Ron Trent went your separate ways, he stayed with Prescription while you concentrated on Balance, (listen to their collaboration on 'Morning Factory' below) how did that decision come about, and did you enjoy having the opportunity to shape your own imprint? 

Well Prescription was named by me along with Balance, but the concept was Ron and myself. Hey in every divorce there is something that goes to both sides, we decided that Ron would take the eldest and I would keep the baby. 

For an extended period you had a break from the music scene, why was that and do you think it was an important part of your career?

Hey, God found me on the streets losing my mind, so yes I had to be restored. In terms of my career, I would have never came back, but faith had a different plan for me.

When you returned, how had the scene changed? How easy was it to get back into the swing of things?

The scene had changed a lot, but people were still looking to release their tension so I understood that from the start. In terms of how easy it was for be to get back in the game, I was on the guest list.

House music is definitely back at the peak of its powers, with its influence bleeding over into the mainstream and popular culture. Is that something that you’re fairly happy about? How does it compare to when you were growing up and it was more of a subculture?

Yes I am very happy that it has crossed over, back in the day we thought we were the only ones on earth getting that house feeling. But in all fairness I think we should be running the world, we were releasing the tension for eight bucks a night with a clear mind and dreams on Monday.

Where would you say you are you at musically at the moment? What producers have been doing it for you, and do you have any new releases or productions in the pipeline?

To be truthful I am just trying to find my soul in all of it. There are a few new producers I like, but I likemusic that will last in my spirit, not music that I will forget after I walk out the club. I will work on an album this coming year.

Bit of a hypothetical one now, is there anything about dance music at the moment that you'd perhaps change or reset back to when you we're experiencing the evolution from its roots back in the US?

Every time and every place I play I AM RESETTING it, but not backwards.

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