Exclusive Interview with Pepperpot
DJ since 1992, Greg Pepperpot is a key figure of the french electronic scene. He has always devoted himself exclusively to DJ'ing, sharing the decks with all the major Techno and House artists and playing many clubs and festivals around the world since 20 years. In 1999, Greg Pepperpot moved to Australia and stayed there for a whole year. He played and had residencies in the main clubs in Sydney. Back in France in 2000, and fortified by his musical experiences abroad, he took over several residencies in the main Parisian Clubs and he also mixed a CD “Tech House Session 1” for Wagram Music. His popularity continued to grow, and he played regularly at leading Paris venues such as Rex Club and all over France. His passion for detail, combined with his musical maturity and original technique, became definitions for his unique concept of Minimal, Techno & House Music.
Siam2nite had the opportunity to have an exclusive interview with Pepperpot, shortly before his performance at Ocean Bangkok on 29th March.
How did you get in touch with electronic dance music in the first place?
It was in New Caledonia, a small French island lost in the south Pacific between Australia and New Zealand. At the time I was living on that island. I got into DJ'ing when I was 14 years old and discovered Electronic Music and the Beat Mix Technique about a year later… something like 22 years ago ☺
Your music is a mix Minimal, Techno & House. How would you describe your own music in in a few words?
I like to listen and play a large spectrum of music. My sets are not formatted. Depending on the people, the venue, the moment… I won’t play the same style and the same way but i will always bring some groove or some swing in it.
What tracks, remixes or mix sets would you recommend as an introduction for someone that is not yet familiar with your music?
I think the best way to get familiar with my music is to listen some mix I have on my Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/pepperpot
What are you currently working and focusing on?
This year I will keep on my residencies at Rex Club in Paris (5 years already) and Terminal Club in Lyon. I will work on different big events projects in France. I will also launch my own label and take over the management of a Parisian booking agency. I will work on different studio collaboration with my brothers Cesare Vs Disorder, Quenum, Sierra Sam, Jef K. And of course I will continue to play all over France and Europe and tour North and South America and Australia again at the end of the year.
But my main focus is to be a good daddy for my little boy Sacha… It’s gonna be a busy year for sure !!!
Looking back on over 20 years as a DJ, which were your personal highlights, what was the best and the worst gig you ever played and what was the funniest thing ever occurred during any of your performances?
Indeed…I have a lot of stories to tell… I had the chance to play in 25 countries and probably around 2000 gigs. Luckily I had a lot highlights, such as playing in parties on a small island in a middle of a paradise lagoon in New Caledonia and Bora Bora in French Polynesia, or playing for one of the first edition of the famous Kazantip Festival in Ukraine in 1998 when it was still happening in a nuclear power station, which was totally built but never worked, it was just insane!!!
On the other hand I had few bad stories but nothing really terrible. I always tried to make it positive and take the best I could out of it.
A funny story was to be rewarded by girls underwear while I was mixing…
What can you tell us about clubbing and nightlife in your hometown Paris? Do you have any nightlife related suggestions for first-time visitors?
Paris is burning at the moment. It’s probably as big as London or Berlin. It reminds me how it was at the end of the 90’s when Paris was boiling. We had a new generation coming really involved in this music and scene. They know the music roots of the Chicago House through the German Minimal or the story of the Detroit Techno. It’s really impressive. And most of all, they love the vinyl culture so the record shops are full again like in the old days. And all this is good for the underground electronic music market, for the scene, for the clubs and parties, for the artists…
For visitors I would suggest the REX CLUB which is probably one of the oldest Club in the world (same name, same venue, same music) where all the major figures of electronic music played since 25 years. I would also suggest some of the huge Sunday events we have such as CONCRETE or COCOBEACH which gather between 2500 to 4000 people.
Your last visit here in Bangkok was in September 2012 at Witch’s Tavern. On 29th March you will return to Bangkok to perform once again alongside the With Love crew – this time at Ocean Bangkok. Did you keep you last visit in good memory? What can Bangkok expect of your upcoming performance?
I’m really happy to be back in Bangkok. I had a wicked time and a really good night when I came to play for With Love. I think they are doing a great job for the Bangkok scene by putting on nice events with international guests and a solid crew of residents DJs.
As I said, I’m boiling to be back… so BKK you better be READY!!!