Dee Montero is back once again raising his new label Futurescope to even greater heights with its third release entitled Meridian, featuring a remix by Patrice Baumel.
Following the wide-ranging success of Dee Monteroâs singles âSapphireâ and âAriaâ, the moody and magnificent âMeridianâ pushes the musical boundaries yet again and seals the forward-thinking labels identity as a quality stable of fine music. The labelâs musical ethos is bound to its core with the past, present and future sound of dance music interpreted and embodied in the DNA of every release and itâs clear âMeridianâ reflects this exact ethos.
Renowned German audiovisual artist, DJ and producer, Patrice Baumelâs remixes âMeridianâ by Dee Montero, giving it cosmic and ethereal sonics, uplifting atmospheres and undulating euphoria that pulsate beautifully together.
In honor of the release, and the featured Patrice Baumel remix, we asked Dee Montero to chat with the German artist for an exclusive interview:
Dee Montero: What gets your creativity firing in the studio and how did you approach this remix?
Patrice Baumel: When Iâm on a roll I need nothing but a good nightâs sleep to fire on all cylinders in the studio. The key is to go to sleep at 10pm, then get to work early, right after I wake up. As for my approach to this remix, I listen to all the audio parts and immediately throw away everything I donât really like. I prefer working with as few options as possible and move quickly. Everything happens on instinct.
Dee Montero: You grew up in East Germany before the wall came down in early 90s, which I can relate to growing up in a divided Northern Ireland. Would you say those formative years are embedded in your musics DNA?
Patrice Baumel: Absolutely. I grew up on Depeche Mode, which was probably the most popular band amongst young people in East Germany. The juxtaposition of human warmth and machine-like instrumentation is something that is still found throughout my music today. I am sure that growing up in Northern Ireland, you can also relate to a certain melancholic element in music – life certainly wasnât always trouble-free back in those days.
Dee Montero: Thoughts about how our new world affects the music you make. Has club closures changed your production process and can radical ideas still be appreciated in the virtual realm?
Patrice Baumel: The focus is definitely shifting towards music functioning in a listening context as well and moving away from the stringent rules that the dancefloor demands. This is great news for musicians wanting to experiment with a broader range of sounds, dynamics and concepts in general. We are entering an era that is almost without creative limits.
Dee Montero: Do you see DJ streaming sets as a positive substitute for the real experience or has it become overly saturated already?
Patrice Baumel: Itâs as good a substitute to the real thing as we have and it takes people back to the good days. I am not sure how relevant this format will remain if dance culture as a whole remains shut for much longer. I am personally not interested in dj streams – I make them for the fans but I spend my time listening to music that is far removed from the stuff I make and play as a dj. By that, I want to avoid an almost incestuous cycle of inspiration that only leads to everybody making the same music.
Dee Montero: Finally if you could choose any artist to remix from the past 50 years who would it be and why?
Patrice Baumel: The Cure would interest me. They have amazing melodies and vocals to work with and score high on the âsentimental favouriteâ scale.
