Bim De La Disco: ZIMMER(Interview)

Happier Melodies Before Sunset and Afterglow

Dream a day, a perfect day; especially a cheerful afternoon full of sunny skies, fresh air, passionate feelings and smiling faces; at this very moment a Parisian gentleman takes his place to supply the background melodies, melodies which make you happier and take you higher. As Bim De La Disco, we are proud to present our personal favorite beatific DJ and producer Baptiste Zimmer who is beter known as “Zimmer”, the creator of these happiness infusing melodies..

Zimmer, who has grown up between France and California first cought our attention with his single “Cruisin” that after its release , made him a member of the Discotexas Family. He has many remixes, edits and reworks of such names as Kamp!, Jean Winner, Pompeya, Moon Boots, Montevideo, Chic, Tina Turner and many more in his discography and he is also the emperor of Horizontal Disco, which sounds like down tempo disco tunes full of warm and happy melodies. This Parisian gentleman is also the mixing master of his addictive monthy tapes which are products of his mixing mastery, that you will not keep yourself from listening.

As Bim De la Disco, we have spoken with multicultural talented Parisian Dj and producer via internet to discuss his career, future plans, influences, daily life and disco stuff before his upcoming show on Friday(19/04) at the club 1888, which has become a trademark of night life in İzmir.

Bir gün hayal edin, mükemmel bir gün; özellikle güneş ışıklarıyla dolu, taptaze bir havanın olduğu, tutkulu duygular ve gülümseyen yüzlerin hakim olduğu hoş bir akşam üstünü; işte bu noktada Parisli bir beyefendi kendinizi mutlu hissetmenizi sağlayan ve sizi yükseklere çıkaran melodileriyle fon müziği için yerini alıyor. Bim De La Disco olarak söz konusu mutluluk verici melodilerin yaratıcısı ve şahsi favori Dj ve prodüktörümüz olan Zimmer’ i sizlere sunmaktan gurur duyuyoruz.

Fransa ve Kaliforniya arasında büyüyen Zimmer ilk olarak dikkatimizi “Cruisin” adııyla yayımladığı ve kendisinin akabinde Discotexas Ailesi’ nin bir üyesi olmasını sağlayan çalışmasıyla çekti. Külliyatında Kamp!, Jean Winner, Pompeya, Moon Boots, Montevideo, Chic, Tina Turner ve bir çok isime yaptığı remix, düzenleme ve yeniden çalışmalar bulunan Zimmer; aynı zamanda sıcak ve mutlu melodilerle dolu hafif tempo disco tınılarının hakimiyetindeki Horizontal Disco’ nun imparatorudur. Bahsi geçen Paris beyefendisi aynı zamanda kendinizi kesinlikle dinlemekten alıkoyamayacağınız, mixing üstadı olduğu bağımlılık yaratan aylık tapelerin de sahibidir.

Bim De La Disco olarak çok kültürlü ve yetenekli Parisli Dj ve prodüktör ile bu Cuma(19/04) İzmir’ in gece hayatındaki marka kulübü 1888’ de gerçekleşecek olan performansı öncesi internet aracılığıyla kariyeri, gelecek planları, gündelik yaşantısı ve disco hakkında konuştuk.

1-We know that you are a dual cultural musician and you have lived in so many cities including Berlin and Guadalajara ; we would first like to know where you come from and how did the cities that you live impress your musical style? What is it mean of being at Home for you?

I was born in Annecy, a small French city in the Alps. I mainly grew up there, but I also spent time in California. During my studies I moved to Paris. I’ve travelled a bit after that, living in Berlin and Guadalajara (Mexico). Berlin opened up my mind to deeper music. Mexico was an amazing place for disco. I’m Back in Paris now, and that’s really where I feel at home.

2- What was the main thing that affected your mind to produce music and when did it happen? What’s your Muse when you produce your melodies, what are your inspirations?
I’ve been Djing for a long time. Around 2010, I really got into Nu Disco, and thought I should give a go at producing it. Hopefully it didn’t take too long to make decent tunes, so I kept doing it. About inspiration, it sounds cheesy but I’m very affected by the weather. For instance I had my most productive run when I was living in Mexico last year. I need sunshine to produce.

3- Our motto is “Palm Tunes, Happy Tunes” and we think that especially your Horizontal Disco sound suits our motto very well. How do you describe Zimmer sound and what are the differences between Horizontal Disco and Vertical Disco?

Basically Horizontal Disco is the more down-tempo, chill stuff. Vertical Disco is produced with the dancefloor in mind. My music is melodic, yet electronic. I want my music to take you somewhere away from the present, to be emotional. I like to picture the situations where people would enjoy it, making it like a movie soundtrack.

4- When we listen your sounds and your splendidly addictive “Zimmer Tapes”, we feel like and imagine being at the beach before sunset and afterglow wearing a basic tshirt and comfortable shorts and dancing barefoot with a big smile on our faces. What’s your favorite place to play; a big venue, a small club, beach or etc. And which was your unforgettable show?

To be honest, you’ve pretty much described my favourite place to play ! I’ve played a party like this in Mexico last year, on a desert beach, with only about 100 people, it was amazing. Anything outdoors is always fantastic. Clubs are cool too. Smallers are more fitted for disco, but a big one can be fun from time to time. It’s harder to feel the people though. I play barefoot whenever I can, even in clubs.

5- Two years ago you first fascinated us with your first EP “Cruisin” that was released via Discotexas. Discotexas is one of our favorite labels over the last years and you are one of the unique stars and creators of soulful melodies of that talented family. Who discovered and supported you in the beginning and what’s the story behind signing with Discotexas?

It’s a pretty simple story indeed. As an aspiring producer, I’ve always told myself I should wait until I’m really happy about a song to send it out. I made Cruisin’ in October 2010. It took me a few months to polish it, and once it was ready I send it out to my 3 favorite producers. One of them was Moullinex. He replied instantly, and gave me a few advices to make the tune better. Once that was done, he asked if he could play it in a mixtape. I was so excited that evening! A couple days later I got an email asking for more tracks from Hugo, the Discotexas manager. That was it, my musical career had started!

6- Lastly you released remixes for Jean Winner, Pompeya, Jupiter and at the end Kamp!’s song “Melt”; what’s next for Zimmer musically in 2013 and in the near future and please tell us your producing, remixing process?

I’m working on a whole bunch of projects right now. Last year was big for remixes, so I’m trying to focus back on original material right now. I’ve got a new single coming up, with an amazing vocal featuring. It’s really horizontal disco. We’re finishing up right now. A couple other housier originals are almost done too. I’m of course also working on new remixes. Just finished one for Moullinex, and I’m working on 2 others for big pop singers. I’m pretty busy in the studio these days!

7- Please tell us how do you select such amazing tunes and combine them skillfully and make us feel like we are in a journey to happiness with your Monthly Tapes? Rest assured that we can’t wait for your tapes!

Glad you like them! Actually I put a lot of effort in finding new unheard tunes. I dig music in so many places, I don’t just stick to promos. Once I have a preselection of 40 / 50 tracks, I get behind the decks to find the best progression. I always try to tell a story with the mix, to have an idea driving it. It’s not just a chart mix. People are starting to feel that, it makes me really happy.

8- What do you think about nu-disco scene generally in 2013 and the future? Is it going more deeper dreamy house or does 80’s sounds leave their place to 90’s sounds , especially hip hop and R&B? Do the trending sounds affect your production?

Production wise, that trend has of course affected me a little, but I really try not to deviate too much from what I deeply like. There’s a lot less disco based music out there these days, which is a shame! Despite that, I think The R&B vocal trend will soon be over, almost every hit has been sampled to this point. I’m curious to see what’s next.

9- Would you tell us your daily life and how do you spent your time out of producing music, what’re your favorite foods, drinks, places to hang out, listen music and etc.?

I actually still have a part time day job as a designer, so producing music is a small part of my daily life. Regarding the food question, I love eating, always curious to taste new food when traveling to play shows. In Paris I live in Pigalle, it’s a great neighborhood to hang out, and there’s Montmartre right next door for nice Sunday walks. The only thing I miss in Paris is the beach.

10- What are your favorite 5 songs to play out right now and what are your favorite producers, influences?

ColeCo – Things Ain’t The same

Moon Boots – No One

Ooft - Lgb

Rudimental – Hell Could Freeze (Skream Remix)

Xinobi – Guitars

11- What are the 5 producers we need to keep our ears open for?

Rufus

Inigo & Dan Solo

Le Crayon

Auxiliary tha Masterfader

The Coconut Wireless

12- How much do you know about disco scene in Turkey? You’ll play with Discolog one of the talented Dj/Producers here and We know you played a song called “See U Again” from Turkish duo Grooveu & Room4space in your “Day Dreams I February Tape”.

Honestly I don’t know much about the scene. That “See U Again” track is the first I heard coming from Turkey. Moullinex and Aeroplane both told me 1888 is a fun place to play, so I’m looking forward.

13- We suppose that it’s your first time for a gig in İzmir and also in Turkey. 1888 is an authentic club which is located at an old Greek House that has a small but burning dancefloor and a lovely big garden encircled with a gorgeous ambiance, full of music fans curious for your melodies. We are ready for your soulful summer vibes and beater Vertical Disco sounds. What should we expect from you, what’s your advise and what do you expect from us?
Sounds fantastic! Can’t wait to see it. Expect a good blend of disco grooves, italo, tropical tunes and classic house. Don’t be afraid of slower BPMs as well. I try to play for the people, not for myself. I hope you guys will be curious, open and ready to dance. See you on Friday!