Founder of Groovytude Records, the Frenchman Baccus has been entertaining crowds with his flavorful blend of House and good times. Not one to shy away from a challenge, the DJ & producer moves freely across genres, creating unique energetic pieces with a clear picture in mind: ‘groovy tunes with a big bassline and big Housy drums’.
Today we catch up with the talented Baccus to learn more about his beginnings, influences, the release of his upcoming ‘Feelin’ Lonely’ EP, what’s going on over at Groovytude Records, and his expectations for the future.
Electronic Groove: Hi Baccus! How are you? It’s very cool to have you here with us. What crazy year we’ve seem to have left behind. How have you coped with the pandemic? Where are you based right now? What’s the situation like in France?
Baccus: Hey! Thanks for having me! Well, I’m feeling great! Even if I can’t play anymore, I can still make music! The label is going great and I have very positive news to come, so I’m feeling lucky. I spent 9 months at my parents’ house in the Périgord (Southwest of France), and then I went back to Paris last February.
At the moment, restaurants and bars are closed. We heard that they might open in May, but only in ‘open air’ areas. To be honest, I prefer to wait and see… I’m looking forward to having a pint on a terrace! You have no idea…
EG: Can you tell us a bit about your musical background? Do you remember your first contacts with Electronic music?
Baccus: My first contact was exactly on a Wednesday, back in 1997. I was watching TV and I saw the music video for Daft Punk’s ‘Around The World’. I was blown away with the clip by Michel Gondry, and since then, electronic music has never left my side.
When I grew up, I started to play guitar and sing in rock bands. I was a real cliché with my long hair and my slim jeans! I was listening to some Electronic music back then already, but my love for rock was stronger and is still now. Then, I moved for three years for my studies in Birmingham, and my love for house and deep house started to blossom once again. I started to DJ a bit over there and I never left the decks since then.
EG: You run your own label in Groovytude Records. At what point did you decide you’d set up your label? What aspects of the brand did you pay the most attention to?
Baccus: I started to produce my own tracks and I wanted to release something that I really loved without having the obligation to fit into a certain label format. I wanted to keep my identity and be free to do all the artistic things I wanted. I was very interested in doing pictures, videos, and all that fun stuff! So I felt it was the best thing to do.
EG: How would you define the Groovytude sound? What are your expectations for the label?
Baccus: It needs to sound as happy and shiny as possible! I don’t have much of the criteria, to be honest! I just want some groovy tunes with a big bassline and big housy drums and synths.
“I was watching TV and I saw the music video for Daft Punk’s ‘Around The World’. I was blown away with the clip by Michel Gondry, and since then, electronic music has never left my side”
EG: Right now you’re in the midst of promoting your latest single ‘Feeling Lonely’. Can you tell us a bit about the inspiration behind this one? What makes Léo Pol the right remixer for this particular track?
Baccus: I wanted to express my love for the UK house music movement. I lived in Birmingham for three years, and these three years really influenced my music. So it was only natural for me to do a track that was based on 2step/ UK Garage. It was my way to thank this country that gave me so much.
I met Leo Pol, years ago at Café Barge. I did the warm-up for him and we stayed in contact after that. I told him about my single and he was totally up for it. I explained to him the vision I had about the label and that he was totally free to do anything he wanted. I know we both like to have fun when it’s about artistic ideas so he said yes, and went straight away to share the cover of the single with me!
EG: How did you go about this one, creatively speaking? Do you follow certain processes in the studio? Are you a massive gearhead or do you do most of your work ‘inside the box’?
Baccus: I only produce during the day to keep the tracks as shiny as possible! I know that I do my best tracks when it’s really sunny outside. Aside from that, I can start by doing the drums, or the keys. Then I do the bass to add the groove and I sing some vocals to add some fun! For this one, I started with the drums and I tried to find only elements that moved me. The main part of this track is about the loneliness that you can feel during this pandemic, as there are no parties and social gatherings anymore.
EG: So, what’s in store for Baccus for the rest of the year? Do you have anything planned for when things go back to ‘normal’?
Baccus: I can’t wait for the release by Baka- G in May. It’s going to be her first solo EP, so we are very excited about it. She is very talented and she has a long road ahead of her. The first track is very powerful, as it’s called ‘The World Is Yours’. I totally fell in love with the track from the second I heard it. I’m singing on the second track, and the package is completed with an amazing remix from Theos!
EG: Thank you for your time Baccus! We wish you all the best!
Baccus: Thank you very much! I hope to party again and spread some love on the dance floor anytime soon!
Baccus’ ‘Feelin’ Lonely’ EP is out now via Groovytude. Buy/listen to the release here.
Follow Baccus: Facebook | Instagram | Soundcloud | Spotify
