Leonxleon: The 'Shine A Light On' Mix

Music

Based in Paris LeonxLeon has managed to maintain a passion for music despite spending his day to day existence as a resident doctor in radiation oncology. Considering the fact that we here at Ransom Note aren't even entirely sure what that actually means, we have to guess its pretty intensive and requires concentration. However, outwith the depths of doctor life LeonxLeon is a rather interesting record collector who also has involvement in the LesYeuxOrange pubication and party series. Formative listening experiences in the early 200's have led him to where he now stands in the present day, musically speaking that is. We caught up with him as he contributes to our 'shine a light' on series. Read the interview and listen to the mix below:

Please introduce yourself…

Who are you, where are you and what are you?

I am Antoine AKA LeonxLeon, based in Paris, France, 28. I am a resident doctor in radiation oncology, which I really enjoy, but my true passion has always been music. My father was a sound engineer & synth freak, he gave me the passion for electronic music and knob tweaking, and gave my his biggest modular synth he built from scratch in the mid 70s. I really got into electronic music via CBS/IntergalacticFM in the early 2000s and am still in love with the early days of electronics, from proto-house to Italo-disco via new-beat and synthetic reggae, but I try to create a more recent sound, and am convinced we live in the best era ever for electronic music, with killer producers everywhere, and great gear around. I also work erratically for Les Yeux Orange, we created a music label and soundcloud/youtube channel, and release edits and original tracks, plus organising cool parties in Paris.

Where was the mix recorded?

It is the first mix that hasnt been recorded on vinyl I make : I made it « flemming dalum » style, via editing in Ableton, mostly because I didn’t have some tracks in vinyl, and really wanted to put it in. I did most of the work, except selecting tracks and recording my vinyls, in a plane from paris to buenos aires.

What would be the ideal setting to listen to the mix?

Travelling, in a car or a train, looking through the window. Or riding a bicycle ;

What should we be wearing?

Something comfortable like those french sandals we call « espadrilles », a short and an oversized cotton shirt.

What would be your dream setting to record a mix: Location, system, format?

I love to play live so it would be live, probably mixed vinyl/USB because you can bring the best of both worlds together. The best would be to have a long mix, from the warm up to peak time.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

I would say « Maze – Twillight » because this track really amazes me, it’s so simple and yet so effective, it is already quite long but it could go on and on for hours. There’s something special in those 2 bars of marimba/chords/bass madness. But I love every single track !

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

Hard question !! I could say my friend Alan Dente from Les Yeux Orange who did an absolutely beautiful mix for Phunkast last year, that I must have listened a million times, but I will go for Flemming Dalum the « King of the Cut », who really takes mixing to another level, by cutting & editing tracks, playing his own unreleased edits, using effects like no one and also never hesitating to send a good classic in between two obscure tracks. Check out the mix he did for Slabs of the Tabernacle, insane !

Ah and I can’t answer this without mentioning Julian Horn from Vienna, when it comes to balearic/lazy afternoon mix he is just the best : his mix « New World » is pure bliss.

If you could go back to back with any DJ from throughout history, who would it be and why?

I am not really into back to back DJing, unless it is a good friend and you often play with him, but if could make any DJ pop in front of me and we would each play a set, I would chose Larry Levan.. Just because I can 🙂

What was your first DJ set up at home and what is it now?

I mostly have producing gear at home, my home DJ setup is pretty simple : DJM-400, CDJ-350 and Technics SL1210-MK5 with Ortofon Concorde elektro. I listen on Sennheiser HD25, JBL decade L26 and Mackie Mr8 Mk2. In the club I always bring Ortofon concorde DJ, best signal to noise ratio so you reduce a bit the rumble issue.

What’s more important, the track you start on or the track you end on?

The track you start with, because it really sets the mood. The way you start is really important too and shows how confident you are. I prefer starting with a cut, to let the listeners show appreciation to the previous DJ and show that the DJ has changed. But when I’m nervous I just go on over the previous track.

What were the first and last records you bought?

First was from a french singer/guitarist « M – Je dis aime », last was part of a big discogs order but the most important from it was « Michel Moers – Green With Envy », because I will try to edit it.

If this mix was an edible thing, what would it taste like?

It would taste very sweet with a touch of french cheese on it.

If it was an animal what would it be?

An Ostrich

One record in your collection that is impossible to mix into anything…

Sadly, « Electrick Dragon – Night with you » : the music is gorgeous, but the pressing or mastering sucks, every now and then I try to play it and it just doesn’t work.

In terms of technique, Michel Ozone’s « Perfect system » is somewhat just impossible, for me, to synchronize properly….

Upcoming in the world of…

I have my very first EP released in a few weeks ont Red Laser : 4 tracks including a work with Kid Machine, and a remix of my « Train Track » by my friend Alan Dente. I also have a re-release on digital and vinyl of my « Acid Disco » track, on « we want sounds », on a compilation with other tracks by Marvin&Guy, Joakim or Bon Voyage. Finally, I made a remix for a band from Manchester « Menage a trois » for Cracki Records, out in september. We have some edits to be relased with Les Yeux Orange too, and are working on the LYO 02 EP.

I am also working on a new EP, but it is still very early.