French producers produce everything from dreamy ambient sounds to upbeat broken rhythms intended to get dancers moving – this playlist highlights several such artists with an eclectic selection that will please both newcomers and veteran electronic music listeners alike.
France has contributed immensely to the genre with scene godfathers like DJ Krush and new-schoolers alike making an indelible mark in crunchy breakbeats, cinematic meanderings, and keyboard experiments all taking part in this mix.
Tellier
Tellier blends classical instruments with computer sounds to produce an original, soothing yet upbeat sound in his music. His haunting melodies and poetic lyrics have become beloved favorites among his listeners; and often combine French and English lyrics into his compositions to further add beauty.
He grew up in Paris, taking guitar and piano lessons. His musical tastes were heavily influenced by French soundtrack composers Francois de Roubaix and Michel Legrand; in addition to this influence came music by Serge Gainsbourg, Pink Floyd’s Atom Heart Mother, and AIR group.
Tellier began his professional life as a scientific journalist before joining Oulipo in 1992 and becoming an integral member. Among his works published during that time were Les amnesiques n’ont rien vu d’inoubliable (The Amnesiacs Don’t Forget Anything) and A Thousand Pearls for A Thousand Pennies (for A Thousand Pennies). Additionally to writing, Tellier is also an established visual artist, having created paintings, sculptures, collages and installations which have been shown at museums and galleries all around the globe.
Tellier established himself as one of France’s premier electronic artists during the 2000s, playing with legendary crossover groups Air and producing his third album Sexuality alongside Daft Punk’s Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo (Daft Punk). Additionally, Tellier collaborated with various musicians and artists such as Chairlift’s Caroline Polachek to produce innovative work.
Tellier set out on an emotional odyssey in Sexuality, his debut record released by Record Makers label and American Apparel, that attempted to capture that first romantic spark. It’s an emotively hypnotic exploration of bygone erotic aesthetics that culminates in something that sounds like the soundtrack for an old Euro porn movie! The record also contains songs crafted specifically for retro Euro porn movies!
Tellier released his fourth album My God Is Blue in 2012, exploring his religious beliefs through fictional sect. Featuring collaborations from Mr Flash and Pavle Kovacevic as well as reaching number 17 on French charts, its success led him to create Domesticated, an album featuring tender instrumentals. Additionally, in 2020 Tellier appeared on Salvatore Ganacci’s single ‘Boycycle’ as well as contributing tracks for Dita Von Teese’s self-titled record release.
Darius
Darius is an extremely accomplished artist, producer, actor and humanitarian. He takes great pleasure in spreading the message that people are more than their skin color; that excellence doesn’t depend on where other people place you.
He’s also an accomplished musician, having released his debut album Colourblind in 2002. The music instantly resonated with listeners; one track made it to Number One in the UK chart while his album went platinum. Subsequently he has had many roles on television and in West End productions such as Guys and Dolls where he made an unforgettable performance as Big Daddy.
In 2023, Darius joined Roche Musique and brought new energy to his project with his debut full-length album OASIS. Utilizing his voice as a musical mute, Darius creates groove and soul tracks while keeping true to his electronic aesthetic and dreamy melodies unique to his universe.
The OASIS Tour provides an opportunity to connect with audiences and showcase this new side of an artist who doesn’t shy away from pushing the limits of his sound. It is an exciting new journey which will allow the producer to explore unknown territory while sharing his passion for music with audiences everywhere.
Darius also founded Source Radio, an organization which encourages diversity in music and strives to inspire young generations. Source Radio has quickly become an invaluable platform for emerging artists, often featured on platforms such as Tidal.
Darius is also an influential social media user and creative collaborator for MSU Athletics and football teams on creative projects. With a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and currently enrolling in graduate program for digital media, Darius created documentary The Real Count Darius as well as podcast Beyond Black to address topics of social justice, race inequality and authenticity of character within Darius himself – it can be found both Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
French Kiwi Juice
FKJ (aka French Kiwi Juice), hailing from Tours, France is one of the leading artists of French house musical genre. Beginning as a theater sound engineer and self-taught musician, his signature style fused the beat of house with organic sounds; his first EP “The Twins” was released on Roche Musique in 2012 while Time for a Change appeared two years later. His online profile quickly earned him much acclaim; eventually leading him to develop a live set that complements his studio output.
FKJ uses an intuitive looping system to craft multifaceted melodies and intricate arrangements, from multifaceted melodies to intricate arrangements with vivid kaleidoscopic ambiances, upbeat breaks, UK garage beats and melodically rich UK garage beats. His songs showcase vivid atmospheres mixed with upbeat breaks and UK garage beats; his aim is to strike a balance between energetic dance music and introspective state inspired by childhood experiences which is evidenced in his mellow tunes and live looping techniques.
Form Music, his electronic music collective, has provided him with an avenue to develop his own signature sound and style, collaborate with various other musicians (Olowex in Ed Banger); remix Discode (Mac Stanton Remix); as well as produce powerful versions of both tracks Discode (Mac Stanton Remix) and Discode.
His music combines experimental and traditional elements. He blends synths, vocals, a range of instruments including piano and even some psychedelic sounds for added flair – the result is classic melodies with contemporary sounds, featuring lyrics that explore human condition.
He is a remarkable artist, producing enormous volumes of music within an extremely short timeframe. Additionally, his energetic performances have amassed him a strong following that follows him everywhere he goes; such events as Paris Electro Festival and Rewire Conference feature him frequently. Passionate about both music and visual arts alike, he has written multiple books as well as displayed his artwork at galleries worldwide.
FEM
FEM (pronounced “fem”) is an application software tool utilized by engineers for structural analysis. The tool allows engineers to calculate stability with minimal data inputs; and removes the need for physical tests and prototypes, saving both money and time in cost efficiency and time efficiency. FEM has become an indispensable component of engineering practice worldwide and its popularity will only continue to increase in future years.
FKJ, or French Kung Fu Junkies DJs, pioneered a subgenre of French house called “mellowed French house.” His beats have gained worldwide acclaim as they create an organic yet laidback sound to this genre – often featuring English lyrics or artists as part of their beats! His musical repertoire spans hip-hop, reggae and pop genres; his style can best be described as chilled out yet organic.
Yseult is a French singer and rapper who has made waves in the music world. After making her debut in La Nouvelle Star, she went on to release several albums including Noir that depict her as a dark-skinned plus-sized woman – challenging how France perceives women – while her melancholic and poetic music has won over many fans.
At a time when most histories of electronic music tend to center on male composers, it’s essential that we recognize women composers’ contributions to this genre. Many were pioneers who experimented with synthesizers and tape machines – Pauline Oliveros is one such woman, having pioneered minimalist and experimental music during her time and often working alongside Terry Riley and Morton Subotnick on projects together.
Though there have been efforts to include women artists more prominently in this canon, their work often goes unrecognized. Correction efforts range from comprehensive to dubious – Caroline Polachek pulled out of Moogfest after its all-female artist lineup was announced; similarly, conversations about feminism in music are still developing; it’s essential that we remember it’s not simply about making women visible but centering their contributions too.