Rooted in the French Riviera, Nicolas Masseyeff has built a long-standing career shaped by curiosity, restraint, and a steady dialogue between club music and personal expression.
Photo credit: Nicolas Masseyeff – Official
From his early experiments in the late 1990s to the formation of Diversions Music alongside Oxia, his trajectory has been marked by a refusal to rush artistic decisions.
His latest release, the ‘Taian’ EP, sees Masseyeff returning to his own label with two tracks that lean into simplicity, groove, and introspection. It is a release that reflects both experience and recalibration, arriving at a moment of personal and creative realignment.
In this conversation, Nicolas Masseyeff opens up about trusting fewer ideas, avoiding over-polish, the evolution of Diversions Music, and what longevity means in an increasingly fast-paced scene.
EG: Hi, Nicolas! Welcome to EG. It’s a pleasure to have you here with us. How have you been doing?
Nicolas Masseyeff: Hi, thanks for having me — it’s a pleasure to be here. I’ve been doing well, feeling focused and inspired. Lately, I’ve also been questioning things in a positive way, trying to step slightly outside my comfort zone without forcing it. Spending time between the studio and the dancefloor helps me keep that balance.
EG: First of all, congratulations on the release of your brand new EP, ‘Taian’. How are you feeling about this one? What has the initial reception been like so far?
Nicolas Masseyeff: Thank you. ‘Taian’ feels very natural to me, but also marks a small shift in intention. I allowed myself to trust simpler ideas and let them breathe more. The initial feedback has been really positive, especially from DJs and people I respect in the scene. It seems to connect well on the dancefloor, which is always one of the best indicator.
EG: So, what can listeners expect to find on ‘Taian’? Is there a concept or emotional trigger driving these?
Nicolas Masseyeff: There’s no strict concept, but there is a clear state of mind. The EP plays with tension and release, movement and hypnosis. I wanted the tracks to feel physical but also slightly introspective — restrained energy, subtle emotional shifts. It also reflects a gentle move towards a more house-oriented sound, while staying true to my roots. It mirrors where I am right now: moving forward calmly, without rushing.
EG: While we know that every track is different, what was the recording process like for these two new tracks? With 25 years of experience… do you have some do and don’ts in the studio?
Nicolas Masseyeff: The process was quite intuitive and hands-on. I still work a lot with hardware and improvisation, recording long takes and shaping them afterwards. One important don’t for me now is overthinking or over-polishing. A key do is leaving space for groove, imperfections, and unexpected moments. For example, nobody around me expected me to put a trumpet in a track, especially Oxia, my partner on Diversions Music. Experience helps, but it can also become a limitation if you’re not careful. So I’ve been allowing myself to let go a bit more these days.
“Longevity comes from clarity and from nurturing your own creative voice, not just following trends”
EG: And this is out now via your own Diversions Music. How has the label developed over the past year? Is there anything you can anticipate on that front for 2026?
Nicolas Masseyeff: Diversions Music has grown very organically and has become more defined in its identity. Over the past year, it’s also turned into a space where Oxia and I feel free to release what we want, without pressure, allowing more creative freedom and less strategy. Looking ahead to 2026, the focus will be on consistency and quality — releasing music that feels necessary, whether it’s my own or from a few carefully selected artists.
EG: Since we’re almost at the curve of a new year… what has this one been like for you on a personal and professional level?
Nicolas Masseyeff: It’s been a year of realignment. Professionally, I took time to refocus on what really matters creatively, and I was fortunate to have some great releases, including on Crosstown Rebels, as well as collaborations with Parallelle and Oxia on their respective albums. Personally, it helped me slow down a bit and reconnect with why I started making music. It was a year of growth and reflection, and an important one for me.
EG: Stepping outside of the studio… what’s your take on the current state of the scene? What would you like to see more and less of?
Nicolas Masseyeff: The scene is very rich and diverse, which is inspiring, but I also feel we’ve lost some of the creativity we had in previous years. There are too many edits of tracks that have already been released, and it tends to stifle our creative spirit. I love edits, but right now there are too many across all styles, and it kills a bit of the charm. I’d like to see more long-term artistic development and risk-taking, and maybe less pressure around visibility and numbers. Authenticity still resonates strongly with people.
EG: Given your expertise, what are some of the biggest challenges artists will face in the near future? Is there any piece of advice you have for your colleagues in that sense?
Nicolas Masseyeff: One of the biggest challenges will be staying grounded in a very fast, algorithm-driven environment. My advice would be to build something sustainable rather than reactive — develop your sound, protect your curiosity, and be patient. I also think artists need to guard their creative space: too often we see too many recycled ideas, and it can dilute originality. Longevity comes from clarity and from nurturing your own creative voice, not just following trends.
“I’d like to see more long-term artistic development and risk-taking, and maybe less pressure around visibility and numbers. Authenticity still resonates strongly with people”
EG: What’s next for Nicolas Masseyeff? What milestones are you looking forward to now? Where can your fans catch you next?
Nicolas Masseyeff: I’m continuing to work on new music, both club-focused and more exploratory material. There are new releases and projects with other artists coming up, as well as a project creating music for a contemporary dance show, and upcoming shows in Europe, Asia and beyond. Right now, I’m more interested in building a long-term narrative than chasing short-term milestones.
EG: Thank you so much for your time, Nicolas! We wish you all the best in the future. Take care!
Nicolas Masseyeff: Thank you very much — I really appreciate the invitation and the support.
Nicolas Masseyeff’s ‘Taian’ EP is out now on Diversions Music. Stream and download here.
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