Parisian artist POPOF is definitely among the most widely recognized names within the worlds of Techno and House music. That certainly has a lot to do with his prestigious career path to date and a range of achievements that very few artists could claim to possess. Over the years he’s lent his remixing skills to artists such as Depeche Mode, Chemical Brothers, Moby, BookaShade, Tiga and had his original productions displayed over imprints of the likes of Sven Väth‘s infamous Cocoon outlet, Kerri Chandler’s Kaoz Theory, Jamie Jones’ Hot Creations and of course his own label Form Music. We talked about all the above topics and many others, including his latest release on Deeperfect, in a pleasant interview which we now present here on When We Dip. Welcome POPOF!
WWD: You just dropped this mighty EP on Stefano Noferini‘s Deeperfect. Can you give us a few words about this great studio work?
POPOF: Hello there! Thank you for your kind words. I’m very happy with this “Synaptic” EP, made in collaboration with Stefano Kosa. The feelings and inspiration behind it derive from the good relationship I have with Stefano, and the way we click musically.
WWD: How did this approach happen? Did you think the label was the best output for your new work after it was done or was it something previously architected between you and Stefano?
POPOF: Stefano and I chat a lot online. One day he sent me a few musical ideas he had in mind. I really liked the concept and agreed to taking the project farther, and this is how “Synaptic” was born. A true example of how the Internet has drastically changed the way things are done!
WWD: What have your efforts been most dedicated to at the moment? Productions, GIGs, Label management…
POPOF: My main focus at the time, as an artist, is making music. I’ve been working really hard in the studio for the past year/ year and a half, because I’m having so many creative outbursts. Between 2017 and now, I’ve released on my own label, Form Music, on Nicole Moudaber’s Mood Records, on Adam Beyer’s Truesoul imprint, and I have another one coming up on Pig & Dan’s Elevate, in addition to my current release on Deeperfect. In parallel, I’ve also been putting a lot of effort in Form Music.
WWD: About your record label, Form Music… How would you describe the concept that led to its creation?
POPOF: If you look at Form Music’s official description, it says: “FORM is an electronic music label founded (…) in order to gather both new and established talented artists and to promote artistic open-mindedness by assembling various genres of electronic music”. And I could not say it better. I founded Form Music because I wanted to offer a platform to all sorts of artists, without taking into consideration their status or fame level. We’ve had releases by Julian Jeweil or Umek, and we’ve also supported younger rising talents such as The Reaktivitz, Animal and Me or Bulgarian producer Gallya – Form Music’s newest release, out August 24th – check it out, she’s an amazing artist! Another aspect to Form Music is our showcases, which have gained significant importance throughout the years. We’ve just completed a very successful USA tour, and we’ll, once again, be at BPM festival this year.
WWD: About the GIGs now… Where have you played recently? Any GIG you would say was a very special one? Where are you most looking forward to playing?
POPOF: I haven’t stopped this year, it’s been insane. Since the year began, I’ve been performing at almost every Resistance/Ultra Music festival event around the world, from Miami to Beijing, Singapore or Seoul, and I’m not finished yet because I’ll be also playing at Ultra Japan in September. I’m due to perform soon – amongst others – at Mysteryland (Cocoon stage), Pyramid Amnesia, Resistance Ibiza’s closing party… Not forgetting the Form Music showcases, during which I usually play with my partner in crime, Julian Jeweil. We’ve got another one coming soon, somewhere in Latin America, with Oxia and Julian. About special gigs … I would say Glastonbury last year was an amazing experience. Also, Space’s mythical closing with Carl Cox, because it was a historical event.
WWD: About this travelling and playing part… Are you the kind of person who enjoy embracing different cultures or is the traveling part something you don’t really enjoy?
POPOF: I enjoy immensely going to different places and discovering new cultures, new horizons, or new people. Traveling is exhausting, I won’t lie to you, but hiking to Machu Picchu, eating Lebanese food or wandering the streets in Tokyo is something I feel privileged to do. I’m a very lucky person.
WWD: When you’re not playing, producing or selecting tunes, what do you most like to do?
POPOF: When I’m not traveling or working, my main priority is my family and spending as much time as possible with my son. I also am into all sorts of sports, from working out to boxing to snowboarding during the winter holidays. Lastly, since I’m French, I’m obviously obsessed with good food and good wine. I love cooking and enjoying gourmet dishes.
WWD: Looking back to the beginning now… Do you have any early music memories? Please, tell us how your connection with music started.
POPOF: I don’t have a specific early childhood memory related to music but I definitely was raised in a very music-oriented family. My late father was a musician, my mother loves music as well; and so we’d always have records playing at home.
WWD: Looking into the future now… For the last quarter that approaches and the next year, what are your plans?
POPOF: In terms of releases, as I said earlier I have a new EP coming out on Pig & Dan’s Elevate imprint and I’ve also been working on new music. Other than that, more GIGs will follow; They’ll take place everywhere around the world – Europe, South America, South-East Asia, the US … Form Music also has a bunch of releases planned for the end of 2018 and next year. Check out my official social media pages for more info 😉
Purchase ‘Synaptic’ EP
Connect to POPOF and Form Music