Interview: Scan X

In 1993 only five artists were signed to France's prolific FNAC record label; it was a momentous period when the underground French DJ community was supported by all those involved.

Since then Scan X, nee Stéphane Dri, has been witness to the progression and evolution of techno and hard house assisting with its transition into the technological age where music is no longer confined to the audio peripheral. What was originally heard only through speakers of a radio, CD player or record player has now been adopted by ‘TV commercials and video games’, notes SCAN X. And to this veteran DJ this movement has played a big role in the demise of a once close-knit DJ community who ‘fought to keep the underground alive’. His almost mournful tone was as true indication as ever that his new collaborative project L.B.S (Laurent/Benjamin/Stephane), initiated by well-known fellow musical pioneer Laurent Garnier, will bring that solidification back. 

The current L.B.S Tour is a hybrid show which will see Scan X, alongside Laurent Garnier and Benjamin Rippert, bring the live element back to DJing. And with that in mind Jasmine Phull sat down with Stéphane Dri and listened while he spoke about the past, present and future.

How did you first meet Laurent Garnier?

I met him for the first time in 1993, at the FNAC records office, few weeks before releasing my first 12"...We were 2 out of the only 5 French artists who were signed to FNAC at the time, so it was a small family where everyone knew each other.

Explain the idea behind L.B.S?

Well, as Laurent explained, and after eighteen months on tour with musicians, he began to realize that he could get as much pleasure from playing live in festivals as he could get from DJing in clubs by the past. So the idea behind L.B.S was to be back on decks for Laurent with all the flexibility and versatility that it offers, and mix it with live sessions to keep the energy that was built in those 18 months while keeping the ability to experiment new tracks live. In few words, L.B.S try to put together the best of 2 worlds : Live and Dj.

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And the best thing about working on stage with Laurent Garnier and Benjamin Rippert?

On an artistic side, L.B.S is a project to develop and fine-tune new tracks to create the live of the future, so every night will be different. So I would say on a personal side that working with Laurent and Ben is quite exciting as things are never finished or achieved...as things can always be improved; the best is always yet to come!

It must make the traveling between cities more entertaining as opposed to traveling by yourself.

True. It's more fun for sure. But you know sometimes traveling alone offers an opportunity to have reflections and to have artistic focus. Lone traveling is sometimes like being in a no man's land; really prolific for creativity. But I'm sure with Laurent and Ben we'll have those moments that are really interesting and creative conversation and shared points of view...

As the French techno DJ community quite close?

Maybe it used to be, as 10 or 20 years ago being an electronic artist meant not only doing electronic music but also fighting for a new genre to be respected. That made the people involved at the time closer. Today electronic music is everywhere (Tv commercials, the radio and video games) so I think this underground fight to keep this music alive is over. That's why I don't think the French techno DJ community is quite close anymore.

In 1998 and in 2000 you composed the scores for movies Papa and Step by Step. How was that experience? Was it very different to your regular productions?

It was a great experience. You know when you make music, you try to bring images in the mind of the listener. When doing the scores for movies it's another process...You got the images, you have to make music which fits those images. Another great thing about making music for scores is that you are free for any format, you don't think about the length of a vinyl, or limiting the size of tracks so they can be played on the radio etc. You just make music inspired by images, atmosphere or script...

Would you do it again?

As long that the project excite me : Yes!

What do you prefer: creating your own tracks or remixing others? Why?

I love both. Creating own tracks is like having a blank page to be written. Remixing other is like having a full page to be read with your own words...

It’s been a while since you’ve released an LP. Are you just concentrating on touring and L.B.S at the moment?

Well, my last 12" was released 20 months ago...I've been really involved in the last Laurent Garnier projects (albums, live, music for ballet). So even if I did many remixes lately, I will be back with new material very soon...

What is the best remedy for the late nights?

Don't go to bed at the end to be sure to make things start over...

Interview by: Jasmine Phull

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