French DJ, songwriter, and producer The Toxic Avenger, aka Simon Delacroix, recently released his album, Yes Future, via Enchanté Records, an 18-track collection of music ranging from synthetic and organic electro to nu-disco/French-touch.
Talking about the album and the opening track, “Getting Started,” The Toxic Avenger says, “For the first time, I tried to do a real album opening track. Something that lands there and defines the contours of the album. I like to work on these bits of voice which are simple at the base and to create virtual harmonies There is in this opening track an element that you will often find throughout the disc: The bass is a base of DX7, I wanted to return to this synth, made by Yamaha in the early 80s and which flooded the market with pop songs of those years.”
Exploding on the scene with the release of Superheroes, The Toxic Avenger has dropped a series of successful singles, EPs, and albums, as well as collaborating with artists such as Chromeo, Robert Bruce of South Central, and French rapper Orelsan.
Stellar tracks on the new album include the dreamy shimmering pulsations of “Everything Seems Ok,” the heady, deep house washes of “Osaka,” featuring My Dear, and the deliciously polychromatic sheen of “Moments.”
CelebMix spoke with The Toxic Avenger to find out more about the album’s inspiration, how he would describe his sound and his creative process.
What three things can’t you live without?
I guess my wife, my son, and my Shiba. Is it too much? Let’s say my modular synth, internet, and binding of Isaac?
What inspired your new album, Yes Future?
Future as we used to see it in the ‘70s in France. Grey and orange! Too futuristic for its time…
movies as well, such as Soylent Green!
Walk us through your mindset as you entered the studio to record the album.
I weirdly have office hours! From 9 am to 7 pm. I worked on my album on twitch
live every day mostly.
How did you get started in music?
This is the only job I can do without getting bored! So :D. No, seriously, I’ve been signed onto a Los Angeles-based label in ’06 and I moved to LA for quite a long period of time. And from this time, things never stopped!
Where are you from?
France. I used to live in Paris, but I moved into a big house in the center south of France! Big move!
If you had to describe your sound to the uninitiated, what would you say?
-Dancefloor music to cry to.
-Club music for people who don’t dance.
-Emotechno.
-Faded Disco.
-Hi-fi sound/Lo-fi Chords.
What inspires your writing? Do you draw inspiration from poems, music, or other media?
Landscapes, almost only landscapes! It’s super inspiring. And old magazines from the ‘70s to the ‘90s. I bought a lot of them, it’s really super inspiring!
What can you share about your writing process?
Do not try to erase your music’s defaults. That’s basically what makes your music special!
Looking back over your career in music, what have you learned?
Ups and downs! I had a big up, and then a big down in my career. Now it’s super up but you never know!
Which artists in your opinion are killing it right now?
Fred again. I’m totally addicted.
How do you define success?
Happiness? I guess!
What’s next for The Toxic Avenger? Live gigs? Music videos? New material?
A new EP that’ll be on the clubbier side.
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