Don Rimini Interview

I love doing interviews in person or the gmail route. It always amazes me how down to earth the modern day DJ and producers really are taking time out of their super busy schedules to answer what are probably the same set of questions they answered in interviews past. Ever since he released his 'Absolutely Rad' EP the VR staff have been all over everything this french impresario has put out. His mixes are hype as are his remixes and originals. So without futher ado heres the dirty frenchman

VR - Is Don Rimini your real name? If not - why Don Rimini?

Yeah, Don Rimini’s my real name, so what ? ... no, I’m kidding.
Don Rimini comes straight from my imagination.
There’s no particular reason, just a joke with my friends.
I like a lot Don Rimini’s mafioso, pimp touch .... italo-rave style... Makes me laugh.
To be honest, I’ve never ever been to Rimini.

VR - For those that maybe don't recognize the name? Who is Don Rimini?

Don Rimini is Xavier Gassemann, 32 year-old Parisian, who djays and produces tracks.
He’s also a really cool guy.
Your best friend, your confidant, your old brother, your idol....
I’ve just released a new EP – Kick n’ Run- that I’m very proud of, on Delicious Guttel, the label launched by Aaron Lacrate at Delicious Vinyl.

VR - What sort of music did you grow up on? What sort of music currently inspires you?

I grew up wih Depeche Mode, Wham, Duran Duran, and most of all with my old brother’s tapes and records.
He used to listen to new beat, acid house (D Mob, Amnesia, Cold Sensation, D Shake, GTO)... : the pioneers of european techno.
Today I listen to a lot of music, everything inspires me: an old Public Enemy, Late of the Pier’s “Focker”, Altern 8 ... classics, new releases, electro, soul, no boundaries, all is good.

VR - When did you start to produce music?

I started a few years back with an Atari and an Akai’s 950 sampler.
But my first accomplished tracks are from 4 years ago. I had already been a DJ for some time. It wasn’t enough for me, so I naturally started making my own tracks.
I think these two activities are complement each other very well.

VR - Can you take the readers through a typical day in the life of Don Rimini?

1 pm : wake up, wash up, eat
2 pm : internet, emails, blogs, myspace, facebook, listen to music, interviews…
7 pm : eat, tidy up, tv, playstation,
11 pm : studio & production of new tracks, edits, remixes, mixes for the blogs or monthly mix for my myspace
5 am : more-internet, emails, blogs, myspace, facebook, listen to music, itw…
7 am : sleep

VR - What the most challenging thing about touring? Groupies Maybe?

Man, when I’m touring, there are so many thing I want to do, so many people I want to meet, visit the place...
Flirting?? Impossible. You’re taken by the soundcheck, the inteviews, hotel, diner...
But what I like the most is this thing you meet the public, but also with promoters, the other DJs...and ... ok, with the groupies ;)

VR - Do you have a hard time nailing down a songs identity when writing or is more of a stream of conscientiousness thing?

Most of the time it’s completely instinctive.
Sometimes I have a very precise idea and I work on it to create a harmony.
“Rave on”for example, started with a well defined idea, I knew exactly where I wanted to bring this track. It was crystal clear to me.
“Ohow”, on the other hand, started from a synth idea, but after having crushed it, stretched it, changed it, it became the synth sound that’s on the final track – it’s got nothing to do with what it was at the beginning, but it’s so much better.

VR - If you had to put a genre label on yourself as an musician what would it be?

Definitely Electro !

VR - Is it an advantage being based in Paris or is it a heavy cross to bear with its rep for great disco and house in general?

To actually create music, I don’t think it’s either and advantage or a disadvantage. You can make music everywhere, on a plane, on a train, on a boat...
But Paris does have an advantage for me: thanks to labals like Ed Banger or Institubes, the world’s attention is a bit more focused on what’s going on in Paris and France, more receptive to our music. It’s also the case for cinema.
Many thanks to Ed Banger and Justice, to Surkin, Brodinski, Uffie, thank you Institubes, Marion Cotillard...!
Of course, we have to live up to the public’s expectations, and even to bring more than waht they expect from us.

VR - The artwork for the new 'Kick n Run' EP is so great. Could you tell us a little bit about the artist who created it?

It’s nice you noticed. I love it too.
The story goes like this:
Scien, from 123 Klan, contacted me through Myspace a year ago and told me “hey man, Let Me Back Up kicks ass”.
Wow, I was very flattered, I knew Scien and Klor’s work from exhibitions, tshirts..., and loved it. I told him that I’d be pleased to work with him.
A year later, when the occasion arises, I ask him to do my artwork.
He comes up with the idea of a french Mr Peanut, badly shaved, arrogant.... but still elegant.
I instantly go for it! We hug, we congratulate each other.
I appreciate you liked the artwork.
I’m planning to work again with my buddy Scien for a mixtape so stay tuned!

VR - The EP has received great support from the likes of Crookers, Sinden, The Bloody Beetroots, Trevor Loveys, and JFK from MSTRKRFT. Is this fraternity of DJ's and producers for real?

I personally sent the tracks to the DJs.
I didn’t use a promo company for djs,
I really wanted to do it in a simple and direct way, to share my music with them.
I knew most of the guys (Sinden, Crookers, Bloody) since “Let me Back Up”, but things are easier since my remix of Young MC on Delicious Vinyl. Many artists that I really appreciate congratulated me, and played my tracks. I was really touched.
Nowadays we talk to each other a lot on iChat, with Crookers, Digitalism, Bloody Beetroots, Sinden, Felix Cantal, MSTRKRFT... it’s a small community...haha. It’s fun. We chat when we’re on tour - updates on the Net-, we share exclusive tracks.
It’s really fun, and it’s like family!
I recently stayed one more day at a festival, to meet up and party with Crookers, Brodinski, Tekilatex (TTC), Birdy Nam Nam.... When we’re all together, a lot of crazy shit happens!

VR - We talked of the release of the new EP. What sort of new remixes do you have in the works? or collaborations?

Very soon, my track with Verb – Psssy Mind, on Gutter Music – Milkcrate records 2008. The label from Aaron Lacrate.
Then a remix for my canadian homies Numero#. It’s finished, should be released this automn. In the meantime, they’re playing it live. Check it out!
Also a remix for Kennedy, an american band. Actually, I’ve made 2 very different remixes of it.
And a remix for my buddy Sinden “Hardcore Girl” feat. Rye Rye. I’m very proud of that one, I hope you’ll like it!
On top of that I’ve made some funny pirate remixes of Ghost Busters theme, Phil Collins...
I’m getting ready to produce a remix for “Fires of Rome”an awesome NYC band close to Mark Ronson.
And I’m preparing a mixtape with edits, unreleased tracks.... and my next EP.
Workaholic... hehe

VR- Besides you of course - Who is the one artist we should keep our eyes on in 2008/9?

There’s many!
Guys like Brodinski, Surkin, Electroluxe Family, K.S. ... for the frenchies…
And also Aston Shuffle, Felix Cartal, Hey Today... to name a few!

DL : Don Rimini -Nervous Breakdown .