How could a DJ duo living on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean possibly be successful? Florent Denecker and Victorien Mulliez, the French DJ duo whose initials form the stage name FDVM, prove that being based in two different countries hasn’t stopped them from breaking into the music industry in a big way. From performing at Coachella and Burning Man to sharing the decks with Carl Cox and Claptone, FDVM continue to hit career milestones. FDVM’s momentum, further powered by their latest release, “Love Again,” is set to launch the artists into a very successful 2018.
In an interview you two did in 2016, you said you’ve only been producing for three years. How were you able to hone your production skills so quickly?
There is no secret to it; you just have to work and learn. Be very visual-oriented. We very quickly learned all the tricks and ways to use Ableton. Also, our passion for music is so big that it feels very natural.
What was the thought process behind your biggest track, “Make it Right?”
We wanted to create something that feels good with a poetic and inspiring message on the edge of house music and pop/folk. When we met Tyler, the singer, it was clear that he was the perfect artist to work with.
How have your careers changed over the past year since the release of “Make it Right?”
Things have greatly evolved. We are booking bigger shows, and people start to acknowledge us as part of the upcoming French artists. We receive a lot of messages, and what really matters is that the music resonates with people’s hearts and that it serves them in their everyday life.
Talk to us about your newest release, “Love Again.”
“Love Again” is a message from the heart. The lyrics come from true stories, and everyone can relate to them. Not only are they real, they are very beautiful. CAYO’s voice has a lot of feeling, and we fell in love with it.
Musically, we wanted to create something faster and more powerful than our previous release. While keeping our special touch with the birds and the melodic guitar, we went for a drop that is new and stronger.
What has been your favorite performance, and why?
Without a doubt, performing at Coachella was our favorite. Just the experience of the festival alone is magical, but stepping on stage is another level. We loved the crowd, the ambiance, the set up… Everything was just right.
What is your favorite track (doesn’t have to be yours) to play and why?
Without any doubt, “Purple Disco Machine – Body Funk.” It’s so groovy, so funky, we love the lyrics, the build is incredible, and it’s a track that works in any context.
You’re both originally from France but Vic moved to New York at the end of 2015 while Flo stayed in France. What is it like living in different countries?
Exactly, at first it was quite a challenge, but we made the best of it. It opened so many great opportunities; as you see today, we play on both sides of the Atlantic, and it’s going very well.
What are some positives that have come out of living apart? Negatives?
It’s incredible how this opened so many new doors for us. We got to play many amazing shows that wouldn’t have happened otherwise.
The trickiest part is the communication. We need to make sure people understand this and don’t always expect a duo on stage. At the end of the day, the music is the same, and we both give everything we have when we perform. Of course, when you get the duo, something even more special is happening.
Do you still perform together? If not, how often do you see each other in person?
Yes, we do. We spent the whole summer touring together in Europe. But we tend to not play together much and see each other very rarely. However, we are in touch with each other every day.
What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not making music?
Florent plays a lot of sports, mostly soccer. Victorien loves to spend time in nature and travel.
What’s your dream festival you’re hoping to play one day, and why?
There are a few. We would love to perform at the Ultra Music Festivals around the world. Tomorrowland is also one that we are hoping to play. These festivals gather thousands of people, and being able to share our gift to such big audiences would be a delight.
Let’s talk about your Burning Man experiences. How has Burning Man influenced your music, especially playing on eight different stages in 2017?
Burning Man is magical. It influences our music in so many ways. We tend to explore so much more musically. From playing disco/funk sets to much more underground sounds… It’s a great experimenting playground!
What was it like attending and performing at NYC’s Burlesquerade?
This event is so incredible. Everyone has to wear a Burlesque costume. It’s like everyone is creating their own experience. The amount of work and creativity that the promoters put into this is really inspiring. The crowd is awesome and so down to have fun. If you want to know more, there is a great article about it in Business Insider here.
Tell us about your “Supernatural” podcast series on SoundCloud.
Since day one, we’ve been offering a monthly mixtape to our followers, and we’ve kept it that way. It evolved a lot and at the beginning of 2017—we decided to name it Supernatural. The series is now its own project, evolving constantly. We are very glad that a lot of artists take part in it, and we can’t wait to see how it is going to grow.
You’ve garnered support from artists like Sam Feldt and Claptone. What is it like to work alongside those artists, and what have you learned from them?
First, we are so grateful, and it’s so amazing to meet and learn from them. It’s simply inspiring. The main learning is that everything is possible, and passion and work are the key.
Do you have any exciting projects you’re working on right now? Could you tell us about them?
Many wonderful events and yes, we are working on many other tracks, so we are super excited to see how things will evolve!
What do you have planned for 2018?
To start the year, we have a great winter tour in France, and we are also starting to plan the summer season!
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