From my first listen of his remix to ZZT’s “Party’s Over Los Angeles” to the exclusive mix that dropped for IMF back in March, ValyMo has been on of those DJ/Producers that I’ve sought after; checking for new productions and never being disappointed by this dark robotic techno monster. With his uncanny ability to bring that raw unadulterated musical energy to the masses ValyMo has burst onto the scene like gangbusters and has garnered support from DJ’s across the world. More recently the love has spread from his home country of France across the small pond to the UK as he was featured and remixed by resident DJ and BBC1 Radio personality Kissy Sellout. A lot of things have happened since we last talk and the world is starting to feel the energy and love.
Last week I got a chance to catch up and pick Morelle Valentin’s brain about his new The Love EP on Boxon Records, what he thinks about the resurgence of techno into the mainstream, influences, his progression from Bogata Dogs and how it felt when he heard his tracks being played on the Kissy Sellout BBC1 radio show. Hit the break for the interview along with a few bonus goodies that ValyMo brought on through for the people.
IMF: What’s the name of the New EP? And who will be featured on it?
VM:My forthcoming EP on Boxon Records is called The Love, not because I fell into love recently, its more like a lack of sincerity of this feeling contrast with honesty that somebody could diffuse in music in general. That’s the duality, as the black and white color, good & bad, etc… that’s what I decided to lead the universe around my creations, in a black & white version. A lot of artists are between the dilemma, I was in this case for a long time, but now everything is clear. So, this EP is absolutely not, a tribute to Love.For the remixes I asked friends and artists that I consider to be honest with their music, I’m proud to announce that John Lord Fonda, The Rox, Medicis & Vanshift, Needs, Dunjinz, and Roby Howler, are working on their version of Love Anthem. I’m happy to see that some big artists, like Kissy Sell Out, made a remix of this song without my request. This is very heartening, thanks to them all!!! A second track, totally original, will also be on this EP!
IMF: How has your sound changed from Bogota Dogs?
VM:Bogota is a cool EP, just cool. But immature in my opinion, when I did it last year my sound was not in full bloom, it was just a way to get the people dancing. That was efficient, I play this track every time in clubs at the highest point of my set, and people just go crazy, I often play “Babylon” from Congorock after to calm down the crowd.IMF: What do you think of the resurgence of the new techno movement?
VM:I’m afraid, because movements in electronic music are ephemeral. Three years before, when a friend introduced me to Skrillex, he was not so popular, and I almost made a dubstep track which was never released. But now everybody speaks about techno, and I’m scared because mainstream artists like Justin bieber or LMFAO, pervert and bring these movements to their death. That’s why, I don’t want to stick a category on my music, I try to make my own style, full of melody, chords, and emotions, but without joining any movements, I’m making some Valy Mo, some electronic music, that’s all.IMF: Name some of your influences, current and past.
VM:My influences are Simian Mobile Disco, Para One, the Subs, Canblaster, Gesaffelstein, I can’t quote all of them, but recently I heard Disclosure, it’s inspiring, also Nicolas Cuer, or ETC!ETC!. Obviously I’m searching rhythm in other styles like African music, Spanish, or simply power in Deathcore.IMF: How did it feel to have one of your songs play on Kissy Sellout’s show? How did that even happen?
VM:One morning I was checking my emails on Soundcloud, there was one from the official account of Kissy, he asked me to send my remix of Das Glow, then I send him my promo pack, and he answers back that every tracks in this pack where amazing, haha it made my day. Then he played Bogota Dogs, A love Anthem, and some of my remixes in the same set! That was cool! I stayed all night long on my computer to heard the show!IMF: When we last talked you were talking about a possible tour, is there one in the works yet?
VM:Unfortunately I’m studying for the moment, so it will be difficult to make this happen. I’m now in holiday summer but I’m producing a lot for big remixes and original tracks. Some of these remixes are for the rising duos the Rox and Dead Cat Bounce! I hope that one day, certainly next year, I could play in a tour, and with the great feedback I got on my track “A Love Anthem” from Malente, Kissy Sell Out, Don Rimini, Designer Drugs, Blatta Inesha, and more, I’ve got some possible dates in the near future, so maybe for the next EP, there will be a tour!IMF: When can we expect the EP to be released?
VM:All the remixes and originals are ready, Boxon Records need to masterise them, and finally we could release it in July or August, it depends on the promotion, but be assured that this release will be the bomb ;) !IMF: Where can the readers get in contact and learn more about ValyMo?
VM:For any request you can write to info@valymo.com I answer to every question, and I listen to every remix request! My sounds are published on Soundcloud my Facebook and my Twitter, finally you can take a look at my website www.valymo.com ! Thank you for this interview! I love you ALL !! <3
Definitely a genuine dude. I hope you all felt the love and just incase you needed a little more ValyMo came through and dropped off a few free downloads off his up coming, The Love EP, release. First up we have the Kissy Sellout remix of “The Love Anthem” which brings back that old skool feeling mixed with that signature ValyMo sound. The second offering which you can find featured on the Boxon Makes Me Alive compilation (Beatport/iTunes). “The Love Anthem” is purely a hands up in the air beat banger. Enjoy and spread the love.
And a last minute bonus, here is an exclusive preview of “Visions” from The Love EP!
