The word ‘legend’ is thrown about with reckless abandon nowadays. But in the case with French techno producer Oxia, known as Olivier Raymond to his friends and family, there is a definite argument to be made for his legend status. He has been active since the mid-80’s in his hometown of Grenoble, France where he eventually started playing in local clubs with good mates Alex Reynaud and Michael Amato (better known to Miss Kitten as the Hacker).

Fast forward  a decade later and Oxia releases possibly one of the biggest dance tracks of the 00’s: The massive ‘Domino’ on Kompakt Records.

And that is no hyperbolic statement either as it made the Top 5 in Pete Tong’s 2011 countdown of the ’50 Biggest Tunes in Dance’ on BBC1. Of late, this decade-old track has had a minor renaissance with a whole new generation of DJs, with everyone from Huxley to Flume dropping this slice of melodic bliss.

In town for the upcoming earthcore festival, and earthcore sideshow alongside Pig&Dan, Oxia took some time out of his hectic schedule for a quick chat….

 

S: You started DJ’ing when you were 15 years old in France during the mid 80’s when house and techno was finding a firm footing in the world of music. What was the popular music at the time and what was it about the underground music that captured your attention?

 

O: I started mixing and also have a radio show mid 80-ies. We set up a radio show around funk music, a style of music which influenced me a lot. In those days it was very underground, though a lot of “commercial” hits came out of it. But there was so much more and more to the point and that was the music we were into.

There was also the New Wave, bands who became very known but always maintained bringing interesting music. Bands such as Depeche Mode, The Cure, New Order, … As you mention already it was also the time when the first house music reached us. We didn’t immediately relaize this was the “new music”, for us it was the follow up to funk. Many artists & tracks made the transition, and it was only few laters we realized the importance of those first releases.

S: What was the deciding factor that made you begin producing your own music?

O: I don’t really recall if there was a specific deciding factor. It happened gradually since I got my first synth at the age of 6. My parents remember well me telling them I wanted to make music, that making music was what I wanted to do with my life. Though I refused going to music school and so I applied or tried to self-education.

During my adolescence I met a lot of friends who made music, and very rapidly I knew I wanted to make my own music as I was full of ideas. I bought my first equipment and started working with a friend of mine, Stéphane Deschezeaux, with whom I also created Oxia as LIVE act back in the days. It was a bit difficult in the beginning, but we made progress step by step and by 95 we released our first EP on our own label.

S: What’s your opinion on how much output is required by an artist? Is there a such a thing as putting out too much or too little music over the course of a year?

O: That depends a bit on the level where an artist finds him-herself. If you are already well known it’s less essential but otherwise, yes I do think it’s important to release a certain number of EP’s or remixes throughout the span of a year to stay in the “news”. On the otherhand it isn’t adviseable doing too much either, not to bore the people. ☺ In general it’s about releasing good music on the right moment.

S: You’ve released a vast catalogue of music over the years. Out of the many EP’s and track, you’ve released two albums. Does your approach to music change when working on larger bodies of music?

O: There is a difference between working on an EP or album.  At least for me there is.  When I work on music for an EP, I think about the dancefloor and the reaction my music will have on the people when I play it out. I try to have those tracks effective, of course there are also the more deep “calmer” ones.

While working on my two albums I worked on the total, realizing a coherence between the different tracks on the album.  Of course that demands reworking some of them to integrate them better. The biggest difference was surely with my second album “Tides Of Mind”. On this album I worked music more destined for listening, more melodic, and with guest singers which I never did before.

S: To follow on, what makes you decide that it’s the right time to work on an album?

O: That is a bit of an automated decision. I often make music of which I tell myself it would be a better fit into an album so I put them aside and once I have sufficient music, I rework these to shape up into an album.  It can take up a lot of time. I like taking my time and I work rather slow as I tend to be a perfectionist.

S: Podcasts have become all the rage these days, as there are countless outlets where people can go to listen to mixes. Since 2000, you’ve recorded 8 official mixtapes for CD release. What is it about the CD mixtapes that you enjoy over the now conventional method of online mixes?

O: Working on a mix-cd there is more time put into. It’s approached as an object that will stay with a well thought concept, artwork, and so on.

The starting point to a podcast is a bit different as it’s more instant / short-lived. I often spend days and even weeks for a mix cd there where a podcast takes me just a couple of days; It doesn’t mean it is less important though!  But different.

S: As 2015 draws to a close, what would you say has been a highlight of the year for you?

O: I truly had great year.  I released a lot of remixes and several own productions as well. The year has been filled with so many good dates spread over the whole world!  Honestly it’s difficult to name one which has been more important or better as another. Maybe the best is still to come with the upcoming Australian tour which I look very much forward to!

S: You’ll be playing a few gigs in Australia this summer, with a show at the Royal Melbourne Hotel with Pig&Dan, and a set at earthcore festival. What’s your thought’s coming into your trip down under?

O: Yes, I’ll be playing Melbourne but also Sydney and Perth. It’s almost two years since I was in Australia last, so I am very happy to return. Actually every Australian tour has been very good and much fun! Thinking about it, the very first date I ever played about 6/7 years ago, in Melbourne together with Audion, was an unforgettable night! I hope it will be exactly the same this time ☺

S: Do you approach a set differently given its location (i.e a set at a small intimate club compared to a large scale festival)?

O: I like playing both the festivals and the clubs.  

On one hand I like playing club because as I am close to the people and due to the intimacy the atmosphere is often warmer.

On the other hand I adore the festivals for the energy they give. It is always impressive playing in front of a sea of people and being able having the people raise their hands and dance. It’s a very special sensation, and a very nice one 😉

Catch Oxia at this years earthcore November 26th until November 30th at Pyalong, Victoria or their only sideshow with Pig&Dan and Oxia come Friday 20th November at Royal Melbourne hotel.