INTERVIEW : Trudge
Shape-shifting, genre-hopping… Trudge’s music is multifaceted. From the sulfurous house of Deep Eyes Blue Skies, to the hard-hitting techno of his excellent EP 100, his beats push the boundaries of electronic music, exploring the possibilities of each respective genre. The French DJ and producer - also known as Alexandre Corchia - took time of his busy schedule to answer a few questions. He spoke to us with enthusiasm about his inspirations, his creative process and his sonic explorations.
What was the first track you heard that made you feel like making the music you're producing now?
Huxley - Box Clever. Big classic! It's been a while now and my style has changed a lot in the meantime, but when I heard this track for the first time something special happened in me. I thought it was the kind of thing I wanted to produce.
Where are you living currently?
I have always lived in Paris, France. It is a city in perpetual effervescence and the energy is incredible. The musical scene, especially in recent years, is taking a really interesting turn. New clubs and collectives are emerging and are outdoing those who have been there for a long time. I find this very important to perpetuate this beautiful diversity we have.
But I follow this from a distance, I really like staying at home now. I used to be a big party-boy, but I calmed down a little. I prefer peace and quiet. I still go out sometimes, when I have friends who play
You have said that your album 100 marks an evolution in your creative process. Can you talk about what led you to this transition?
In fact, I have always tried to renew myself and question my approach to electronic music. But I usually did very melodic and soft tracks. I wanted to show that I didn't limit myself to that and could always go further in sound research. страсть is proof that it worked. It mixes many different styles and deeply illustrates my feelings about electronic music and the current scene. Of course, I wanted to keep my identity and I think it is felt, even if I took a different turn.
You seem to approach DJing with humility. What does performing live mean to you?
The live performance is a very important part of my project. So much so I try to make it different from one gig to another. It's an incredibly powerful thing, but obviously very stressful. You expose all your music directly to the public. People usually come to listen to the music they listened to on the Internet, or on their turntables.
But for many reasons it is something important to me, and I want to keep it at the centre of the project. I try to create something different during my live performances. Often the tracks are much more "club-oriented". A faster BPM, a lot of rhythms that make people dance. I've rarely tried to play ambient in clubs. That said, it has already happened to me during my first performances!
I can't hide my attraction to djing these days, but it takes a lot of investment and time, which I don't necessarily have.
I’d like to learn more about your Spotify playlist Snake Dance. What’s the role of this playlist for you, as a musician?
Snake Dance is something that has been in my head for a long time. I have never been able to play other people's music and therefore show my influences and musical tastes. I find it very interesting to see the musical tastes of an artist you appreciate in order to learn more about him! So I created this playlist which is a condensed version of tracks that I really like. There's a lot of weird and different stuff inside. It's a different way to introduce people to new music and share my tastes!
I’ve discovered you through your hit Deep Eyes Blue Skies. Did you expect it would reach so many people while you were making it?
At that period, I was very alone at home, music was the only real outlet for me and it allowed me to think about good things. Deep Eyes Blue Skies is very special to me. It's one of the rare old tracks I can still listen to and enjoy. Actually, I think it sounds very sexual and warm, ahah. The bassline immediately seemed very danceable to me, and I knew it would be appreciated. But at this point, I didn't expect it at all. Spotify gave me a huge boost by including it in an editorial playlist. Today it’s no longer there, but it isn't no longer listened to. I think it made its own audience. It remains today the most listened track on any platform. I'm really happy that, even after 2 years, people still support it.
Who are some artists that you’ve discovered recently and that truly inspire you?
Very hard question here! There are so many of them recently. Starting with the whole techno scene from Copenhagen. Sugar, Repro, Schacke, etc. They really bring something different to current techno, something really refreshing.
But I don't only listen to techno and I could add that I've been very struck by Vacant's productions lately. He has a very nostalgic side while keeping an extremely marked rhythmic which is not without reminding me of Burial, which I love.
And finally, the eternal Lorn, which always makes me dream album after album in its sound research and its very particular sounds. So inspiring.
What’s coming up for Trudge?
I have a 2-Step track that should arrive on vinyl and digital in early 2020. And also a remix for Ferdinger much more uptempo techno. I try to limit the releases enormously in order to be very selective. I have a ton of tracks waiting to find a home and I know that most of them will find it one day. I also have the freedom if I want to release tracks by myself using my own distribution. But I prefer to take my time and do things right for it!
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