Interview: Five Minutes with French-touch producer CruSz

 Image credit: Kevin Deviercy

Stream / Download Okay Boomerz EP

Consider how the music scene has changed since the late 90’s. Chances are, the underground French-touch scene is going to make its way into your head. CruSz emerges from this time, proving his work with over two decades of musical knowledge but a startling and snarky relevance to the modern world. Okay Boomerz is the producer’s latest two-track reveal, released on the 19th of March via Enchanté Records and incorporating unstoppable tunes that are guaranteed to make a cemented home of neon lights and thudding bass in your brain. 

A party far off in the distance beacons. Are you ready to heed the call of CruSz and find out more about the unconventional French producer?

Set the tone for us. Why the arts?

Because sport is for idiots

Which comes first when you’re producing – the sound or the idea?

When you are an artist who is starting out, you tend to get caught up in the sound. Now I am an artist who can be recognized by Marcel Duchamp (or Andy maybe??) and I often start from the concept

Does your material feature any collaborations?

My movie maker: Kevin Deviercy and all my friends who work at Splice! (Lol)

What’s on your current playlist?

MonoNeon, LA Priest, Again & Again. And “Salut c’est Cool”, of course !

Tell us about the chemistry you have with your fans on stage.

French Touch fans like to drink and talk about music material during the evenings. But that was in the days of the DJ sets. Before the pandemic.

What techniques do you experiment with to get your original sound?

I spend a lot of time selecting sounds that no one else can. It doesn’t have to be funky, but it does have to be electronic & techno. Often times, I need a bit of an 80s synth and a massive kick to express myself. What I like right now is merging those two pieces into one.

Take us through a day in the recording studio.

It starts with 40 coffees. Switch on the machines and listen to the sounds of yesterday. Then make a choice among the many demos lying around the computer. In fact, it depends on the deadline ahaha. In the morning the ears are fresh, and it’s time to correct the mixes and clear up the stereos. In the evening, it’s time to make house music a little too loud.

Was there a specific moment in your life where you thought, “this is what I want to do”?

It’s always a revelation when you listen to something that works and comes out of the speakers. At that moment, you tell yourself that the song is there. This is the piece I have to finish. I have to do it! This decision takes 3 seconds.

What do you keep close by while you’re playing a set?

“French Kiss”- Lil Louis, “Body N’Soul” Matéo & Matos (Ian Pooley Remix), “Get Lucky” Daft Punk (LifeLike Remix), …… and Ok Boomerz! 

Any emerging artists on your radar?

Miracle Jane (from Korea) 

What gets your creative juices flowing?

Definitely my love of electronic music, which remains intact even after 30 years.

Take us through your collection of gear, tech or software that accompanies your creative expression.

My setup is basic: Mac & Ableton since always. I use Push because it’s really convenient. After that, I still have a lot of sounds in my old EMU samplers. I am a fan of the Juno106 & the OBX. Behringer made a very nice reissue, I love the DreadBox brand. I still have DBX 160 & Ensoniq DP4 which are classics of French Touch sound. But the most important are my speakers.

How have you refined your craft since you entered the industry?

I waste less time defining my sound and selling it. I want energy, to free myself from constraints. With my Andy Warhol-style approach, I don’t hesitate to put forward concepts that are readable for the industry. Instagram changed the game. Remember, no one knows how to listen to demos.

Breakdown the news for us: what can we expect from you this year?

Some remixes, a new EP and taking over the DJ Sets.

Famous last words?

French Electro never dies.

Follow CruSz:

Facebook – Twitter – Soundcloud – Youtube – Instagram – Spotify

Follow Enchanté Records:
Facebook – Twitter – Youtube – Instagram

By Sarah Britton