BOg’s unique musical vision sidesteps fleeing trends and musical fashions, remaining focused on human emotions: sensations, feelings and imagination. This, along with an urgency to constantly push the boundaries of creativity, has seen him steadily build and continually expand his own loyal, global audience.
The love for BOg’s releases, on the likes of Bedrock, Visceral, Watergate, Hoito, Plattenbank, Diynamic and Innervisions, along with those on his own ATLANT label, have cemented his reputation as an exceptional, ground breaking artist of immense talent and depth.
He has just made his long-awaited return to Bedrock with the stunning ‘Corso EP’, so this is a perfect opportunity to catch up with this uniquely creative, multi-tasking, Paris-based, Romanian DJ / Producer / Label Owner and find out what’s been going on…
WWD: Hey BOg, welcome to When We Dip. So, how’s lockdown in Paris been for you?
It has been very productive so far and, honestly, as a producer I’m used to spending most of my time at home in the studio or on the road. However, I did miss going out for a while. I tried to focus on my label, my own music and set my mind into a working routine, so I can forget about the lockdown and all the negative thoughts coming from this situation at the moment.
WWD: The situation we’re in now has completely shut down so many things that we’d all taken for granted in our day-to-day lives. Have you been able to stay creative during this time?
At the beginning it was difficult because it felt somehow like tomorrow doesn’t exist, the next hour doesn’t exist. It felt very strange, as something like this, at this scale, never happened before and it was a new situation and we had to learn how to deal with it. This situation should be a lesson for everyone that we should not take things for granted and that everything, even the next hour, does not exist, tomorrow doesn’t exist, everything is potential. If you don’t feel inspired at the moment, you have no motivation to work on new music just don’t stress, don’t blame yourself because it is absolutely normal.
WWD: Tell us about your new ‘Corso’ / ‘Juno 99’ release on Bedrock?
I have a good relationship with John Digweed and Bedrock since a few years and from time to time I am sending over new unreleased music of mine. He really liked these two tracks and it just came naturally to sign these. Bedrock is home for me and John is an inspiration for everyone. There is no crazy story behind these two tracks.
‘Corso’ gets its name from a coffee shop in Paris where I like to have my coffee during the week, early in the morning, and ‘Juno 99’ comes from one of the first synths I ever owned, which was the Juno 106. Why 99? Well, the number 99 comes from a Daft Punk track called ‘Revolution 99’, which was released back in 1997 on their first ‘Homework’ album. Daft Punk has always been an inspiration for me and since I live in Paris and in the neighbourhood and just a few blocks from where they first recorded this album and 99 has always been one of my favourite numbers… Eventually, all these details connected somehow and this how I got the names for this new EP.
WWD: When things get rolling again, what positive changes do you hope to see happening?
I really hope to see promoters and people supporting young artists a bit more. I’m absolutely mind-blown by how many good demos I’m being sent for Atlant from new artists I’ve never heard of. Our industry and our scene need new, fresh and talented artists and these new kids need now, more than ever, the support of everyone to help them survive and keep doing what they love.
WWD: How have your musical tastes developed over the years? What was the first genre you got REALLY into as a kid and where did things go from there until today?
I have been and I am still a big fan of Daft Punk, Chemical Brothers, Pendulum, Burial, Cassius, Depeche Mode… I think the first genre I was listening to when I was a kid was some French House. I always loved this more melodic touch, I believe in harmonies. I have also created a Spotify playlist, which is called “Daylight”, where I’m showcasing different electronica and downtempo music that inspires me and shows another side of myself.
In my day to day life, I try to discover new interesting music that inspires me in a new way and, trust me, there’s so much interesting music out there! You will not believe it! Would you be shocked if I told you that I really like a Rihanna track? Well, I hope not, because some of her tracks on her last album were produced by artists from our community. For example, take Pional – he produced a track for Rihanna. I was listening to some tracks from her last album and some of the instrumentals are absolutely mind-blowing. From really dark, twisted basslines, to warm, colourful synths and beautiful choirs and pads. At the end of the day, you can find inspiration in everything and that is the main thing that makes our community so interesting.
If you want to check my “Daylight” Spotify playlist:
WWD: Has the lockdown changed your music listening habits?
Not at all! Old habits remain old habits. Music everyday 🙂
WWD: What things in your life have you found that you most value?
Honesty, friendship, family and love. Love in no matter what form. Love is for free; we don’t need to pay for love. Love for something you do, love for someone close, love and respect for nature.
WWD: You’ve been releasing your music on Bedrock for a while now, so, digging into the label’s incredible back catalogue, can you give us 3 favourite tracks that you find inspiring as an artist?
After I read this question I immediately knew that I would go first with:
Guy Gerber – Stoppage Time
Guy J – Lamur (Henry Saiz Remix)
The Japanese Popstars – Out
Of Nowhere (The Japanese Popstars Remix)
WWD: When you’re in the studio making music what’s your creative process?
A glass of white wine (Chablis) and the creative process starts.
WWD: What gear do you use to make music, hardware or software, and how has your set-up changed over the years?
I’m not really using that much gear nowadays – mainly VST at the moment. I learned over the years that I have to be productive in any environment, it doesn’t matter if I’m in a hotel room somewhere, doesn’t matters if I am in the hotel lobby or on the plane, my laptop is always with me and I have to learn to work with that.
WWD: What do you prefer – studio or DJ?
Both, because they are very different experiences and unique in their own ways.
WWD: Give us your thoughts and intentions regarding your own Atlant label?
The intentions with Atlant are to release and support new artists that I am discovering along the way of my journey and, so far, we’re keeping that trajectory. I think we’re doing a good job and people are slowly discovering and understanding what Atlant is. Some things take time, but don’t worry I have until the end of the world to sort this!
WWD: What do you think a new ‘normal’ for the music industry will look like as we move forward?
Honestly, I don’t know right now. Things are way more complicated than we know for sure and our community will get hit hard, unfortunately. But, we need to stay together. No matter how big some people think our community is, in fact we are very small and we should support each other. A new normal? I don’t know, but I really hope the new normal and the new trend is going to be about good music and supporting new young artists too!
WWD: Thanks for speaking with us !
BOg – Corso / Juno 99 EP including John Digweed & Nick Muir Remx is out now. You can buy & listen here