Parallells are Thomas and Julien de Bie, formally trained jazz musicians who take that into their own multi-genre tracks, always with a melodic and emotive edge. They are both DJs and a live act who also run their own Klassified Records and a creative hub in Amsterdam which combines arts, music studios and a co-working space.
In the near future they have a huge remix of Pupkulies & Rebecca’s masterpiece “Fou de Toi” coming on their own label, and a new release on Sapiens. Ahead of that we catch up with them to find out how and why they work together, where they grew up, about life in Amsterdam, and much more.
WWD: Hey guys, welcome to welcome 🙂 Let’s start quickly ! Why does working together work so well — are you similar in your tastes or is it a case of opposites attract? Do you both do a bit of everything or have set roles?
To be honest, there isn’t a secret recipe. We are lucky to share the same passion and live from it. We really listen to each other and talk frankly about our disparities. Being indulgent and understanding is key. We focus on the things that matter and most importantly we thrive to push each other up. Our tastes and visions are very similar and our strengths and weaknesses complete each other, so it works!
WWD: What was it like growing up in the south of France?
Imagine yourself waking up everyday looking at the immensity of our sweet Mediterranean sea, sun is shining its light, a gentle wind making the waves curve towards an endless conversation with the roots of the immensely beautiful mountains of the Alps. We were extremely lucky to have grown up with the city life, the sea and especially the nature. Adding to this mesmerizing natural landscape, the exquisite symbiosis of Italian and French cuisine and wine. Et voilà, welcome to paradise!
WWD: What music scene was there? Any parties to go to?
Back in the days, it was the rise of the French Touch, Justice, Daft Punk, ect.. But since then it didn’t evolve too much, if you compare to other European cities, the south is quite late music wise, except in summer! That is why it needs some alternative music. We actually used to have our own “Klassified Music Festival” in Eze two year ago, and several events. Other cool events to go to are the Limelight parties and their famous “Bal des Fous” and the Crossover summer sessions.
WWD: Why move to Amsterdam? What was the main factor?
The are many reasons that got us back to Amsterdam. The main one is that we are half Dutch and have family around. We also spent the past 7 years studying in The Netherlands. So it is basically home. Most of our friends and Klassified artists are based here, electronic music is omnipresent, they have the best creative & chill vibe, ‘poffertjes’ and ‘hagelslag’, and everything grows here!
WWD: How does life compare there? Is there a good scene?
Life here is the definition of personal fulfillment. You have the freedom to initiate projects, meet people, share ideas, simple riding through life. The scene is very creative, pop-op shop, museum, and the electronic scene is very developed, plus many artists are based here.
WWD: Tell us about your new remix on Klassified — what inspired it?
We are truly hooked by Pupkulies & Rebecca and could listen to their album all the time. We really fell in love with “Fou de toi” which is funny as it means “crazy about you” in French, and really wanted to create a more energetic and powerful version for Burning Man. After sending to them, Pupkulies & Rebecca really liked it, so we decided to release the remix on Klassified. The French sexy vocal of Rebecca that always put smile on everyone face and the new break really gives a complete new dynamism to the track.
WWD: Could you tell us about your video series — about each concepts and what insights they offer?
The album will be called ‘A Day At’, the idea is to spend a day recording sounds of unusual places or jobs and to translate the setting/scene and its components into music with analog instruments. Ranging From a kitchen, green house, ski station, wood factory, an hotel, a dentist, a supermarket, an hospital and lastly an airport, all the sound characterizing the place is used to make the music, in that sense, it is completely organic. This will be our first album this year.
We started shooting and recording the second series “A Day In” that translates a city or culture into music. The first episode has been shot in Essaouira – Morocco with the sound of the Medina and collaboration with local Gnawa legend, Maalem Omar Hayat. Bangkok, Mexico is in the making with more hidden treasure and culture, all of which in captured by the talented lens of the film-maker Arnaud Moro.
WWD: Tell us about Klassified Studios —- who works there? How long have you had it? What sort of setup is there?
‘The House of klassified’ is our new baby, the headquarter of Klassified, a truly international project. Designed in Mexico City by architect Piero Demichelis Dema, engineered by sound engineer Xicoténcatl Ladrón de Guevara, and crafted by Amsterdam based design company TWO-O. The idea is to host an ongoing activity program that merges the label’s music productions through two musical studios, and event organisation through a co-working space, a showroom and an art gallery in a 170 square meter commercial space situated at street level in Amsterdam West. The home of Sam Shure, Joep Mencke, Vander, our mama Klassified Valeria and many people coming in and out in the creative disciplines for collaboration.
WWD: What else are you working on?
Many things! We are finalizing the music for the new documentary “A Journey in the Bush” shot in South Africa. We also went to Real de Catorce, in Mexico, to shoot a small documentary about the Huichol culture and record their musicians. We have a release coming out in Agoria’s imprint Sapiens, and the House of Klassified will be full of surprises with new expositions and projects!
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