2012 looks set to be a big year for German producer and DJ extraordinaire Kris Meance (real name Christophe Hoeffel). Having risen at an astonishing rate to become one of the world's foremost DJ's and producers, he has worked with everyone from Felix Da Housecat to LCD Soundsystem, Kris now looks to build on this hugely impressive CV with his new single 'Falling Star', taken off his debut album 'Electric Horizon'. Let's see if the world is ready for him.
1) Hello Kris, lovely to meet you and a happy new year to you.
Happy new year too!
2) How was 2011 for you? It must have been a fairly crazy year.
2011 was a year to take a slight step back from all the touring madness i had over the last few years. I used the time to return to the studio to prepare for what promises to be a massive 2012.
There are lots of new things coming out: starting with my instrumental album "Electric Horizon" and a small live tour with Hexstatic, followed by another Kris Menace album towards the end of the year.
The Black Van album is also coming soon, as well as the new 'Stars on 33' album and three other new band projects i´m working on at the moment. I'm really excited!
3) You're from a beautiful part of South West Germany, Landau in der Platz, what was it like growing up there?
It's a small village, so everybody knows what you are doing. This has advantages but also disadvantages.
I never felt right there in terms of who I am artistically, as the majority of the people living in the countryside are not really open minded, but I like that everything is quiet and clean.
I also really enjoy the beautiful landscape and the great weather here, which is mostly sunny, but never too warm!
4) Did you spend a lot of time in Berlin when you were a young adult? With world famous clubs like the Berghein and Watergate, would you say that the city has been a big influence on your musical direction?
The first time i went to Berlin I was fairly young, in 1994, for the Love Parade.
Soon after I was plying my trade at E-Werk Berlin, one of the original legandary clubs of Berlin, and which was around a long time before Berghein and Watergate. I did recently play at Watergate which was a great night by the way.
Even though Berlin was a big influence, i was also influcensed by the Frankfurt music scene which was as important as the Berlin scene back then, lots of international dance artists came from Frankfurt: Culture Beat, Jam & Spoon, and Snap. I was particularly influenced by clubs such as Omen and Dorian Grey.
5) Where did the pseudonym Kris Menace come from?
When I was around 19 a judge called me a "menace to society". I just kept what he said and added my real name "Kris" to it.
I'm a nice guy I promise, but I have my visions which might be "menacing" for some people. Don't be scared though ;)
6) You certainly are muli-talented, you remix, produce, and DJ. What would you say you enjoy the most?
I really enjoy doing all of it to be honest. Even though, I think I'm more of a producer and writer. I love to team up with other people and see their passion for music and different ways of making tracks. I´m also writing for commercial projects too and really enjoy just making music. The act of creating is much more important than the actual release for me these days.
So, getting in the studio is always something special for me.
7) You've worked with some of the biggest names in music, from Depeche Mode to Moby. Who was your favourite artist to collaborate with and why?
Last year I worked on a Kris Menace vocal album which will come out towards the end of the year. I got practically every artist on board i ever wanted to collaborate with, which makes me really excited about it! Watch out, you won't believe what's coming!
8) Your new single 'Shooting Star' and upcoming album 'Electric Horizon' are both released on your own label 'Compuphonic'. Why did you choose to self release?
I always was a self-made-kinda-boy, so i always tried to keep everything about the production of my music in my own hands. I know that i would get more exposure if I would have released on another label, but with digital worldwide distribution and the small phsyical market, I opted to keep my work in-house. I worked and released with so many labels in the scene over the past few years; I just didn't feel I needed some of the baggage that can come along with the major labels at times.
9) There's no question that you've DJ'd at some amazing venues: from Razzmatazz to Space in Ibiza. Do you have a personal favourite?
Razzmatazz is definitely one of my favourites! I have had so many amazing nights in Spain. Fabric in London is definitely in my top 5 too. There are so many great venues out there though!
I'm really looking forward to doing this small live tour, which will be announced whenever i feel ready.
10) And finally, if you had a crystal ball, what would you think it would hold for you in 2012?
Crystal ball? i´d prefer a disco ball! ;)
