Biting The Bullit With Watermät

We chat to fast rising French house head Watermät about his decision to ditch producing solely for others in favour of embarking on his own music project.

Jimmy Coultas

Last updated: 13th Nov 2014

Photo: Watermät

As London's Qube Project continue to dazzle the London clubbing scene with its stunning set up and discerning dance music line ups, the fresh clubbing spectacle has established itself as one of the city's coolest up and coming clubbing institutions - just taking a look at its upcoming roster will reveal why.

Next in Qube Project's sights is a full on house line up that descends on the venue this Saturday. Hooked in for the night will be the likes of Goldfish and Wankelmut, whilst anyone who's been clubbing in the past few months will be well aware of the night's next guest. 

Having worked away for years as a producer for a whole host of other artists, Watermät took the step to writing for himself at the tail end of 2013. Less than a year later, and Watermät had dropped one of the biggest summertime house records of the year, signed to massive Dutch imprint Spinnin' Deep.

As not much more is known about the Frenchman, we thought we'd speak to the man himself to get the inside track on his ascendancy in the modern house music scene.

You’ve enjoyed a lot of success since you began producing under your own name. What made you make the leap from producing for others to writing for yourself?

When you produce for other artists you need to understand the vision of the artist , the label, and at the end you don’t really have freedom. I moved from Paris to the South West of France two years ago, and at the same time I felt the need to start a project on the side, where I can do things the way I want, where I can have more fun making music.

How did it feel getting your track 'Bullit' (above) signed to a label like Spinnin’, not to mention getting support from some of the biggest DJs out there? That must have been pretty special?

It’s amazing, but also very unexpected! I did the track to put it on soundcloud, but a friend wanted to send it to couple of labels first. And Spinnin’ responded straight away, and then everything started.

The record has been a mammoth hit across Europe, with our very own Pete Tong naming it as his 'Essential New Tune of the Week'. Do you feel under pressure now to have the same success with your next release!?

Not really, cause I started this project to do music with more freedom and no pressure. I think I need to keep it like that!

The record has a real quirkiness about it, and a very addictive melody, that seems to be something of your calling card. What would you say are some key components of a Watermät tune? And where do you draw your inspiration from with producing?

I would say some deep vibe, but with some kind of energy. I like to mix real instruments with electronic elements. I use to listen all kind of music, I guess I take a little bit of everything for my inspiration.

You’re heading to London’s Qube Project on the 15th. Is London somewhere you’ve enjoyed playing before? How do you find the British crowd compared to the ravers back home?

I played at Egg London a month ago with Alle Farben, and I really liked the crowd. They’re very open-minded

How did your love of dance music start off? Was there a certain night or DJ you saw of record you heard that just converted you?

It’s from my older brother, who introduced me to the house music from Chicago in the late nineties. 

What is next for you? Where else are you looking forward to playing this year?

I'm finishing my next release, and also some collaborations. I've got lots of exciting gigs coming, like Cream in Liverpool, the 26th of December.

Last question - and it’s a hypothetical situation. You have the ability to throw the ultimate party, with guest DJs from any time in history, alive or dead. Where would you have it, who would be on the bill and what track would you play to define the evening?

I would do this up on the mountain of the “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”. Sorry, the line up would be kept secret…but Daft Punk & Darth Vader would be on the list. My track would be Elvis Presley's 'You gave me a mountain'. 

Haha, thanks!

Get your tickets to see Watermät at London's Qube Project here.

Tickets are no longer available for this event