RETURNING for his second year as an unusual entrant
into the Top 100, Quentin Mosimann is a former winner
of the French reality-TV show Star Academy, a performer
who combines his already proven vocal talents with some
massive EDM tunes behind the decks. However, he asserts
that his history as a DJ stretches back to before he ever
went in front of a TV camera.
“I was already a DJ for three years,” he told DJ Mag. “I
was playing in the funky room of Pacha Ibiza, and the
show was really interested in how I mix and sing at the
same time.”
Following his win in Star Academy, and the release of his
two electro-pop albums, by 2010, Mosimann followed
the call of EDM. “A lot of ‘haters’ didn’t believe in me, so
I worked hard every single day, went on tour to spread
the word to different crowds, I released electro and
progressive house tracks, and then boom! I entered the
Top 100 poll last year. I worked for my own convictions,
and it paid off, so I’m glad to be free now to do what I
want.”
Keep an eye out for his third album later this year. ANGUS
PATERSON
69
?05
QUENTIN MOSIMANN
From: Switzerland. Style: “Electro and progressive house.” Best known
for: “Energetic live performances, ‘I Drum U’ and ‘Pogo Pogo’.” Tune of
2013: “Tony Romera ‘Pandor’.” Breakthrough DJ/producer of 2013: “Reepublic.”
Have DJs’ fees got out of hand? “As soon as there will
be people ready to invest, I don’t know why DJs wouldn’t
ask for it.” Has dance music become the new pop? “It
has and it’s good news, EDM is still on an upward slope.” If
you could be any animal what would you be? “I’d be
a lion, to date Katy Perry and roar with her!” Should DJs
do ‘heart hands’? “For sure, until death! As long as they
don’t forget to put their hands on the turntables…” Do
DJs have a duty to speak out about drugs? “DJs are the
?rst vector of communication with youth, so I feel it’s like
a duty.” What would be on your fantasy rider? “Flying
drums Slipknot style, Jamie Cullum on the mic, CDJ2000
wireless, Moulin Rouge female dancers...”
CANADIANS Ryan and Thomas are currently giving
fellow countryman Deadmau5 a run for his money as
the country’s biggest dance export.
“Joel brings a lot of attention to electronic music
and he’s extremely talented,” they tell DJ Mag, “if
his music is the ?rst Canadian dance act people hear,
we’re OK with that, we would just say he’s Canadian
and awesome!” By using the immediacy of the net
to give fans around the world access to new tracks,
Project 46 are open about the effect that platforms
such as Soundcloud can have. “We currently have
over four million plays and 40,000+ followers, so for
us it’s very important.” DAVID MCCARTHY
70
?30
PROJECT 46
From: Canada. Style: “Progressive house.” Best known
for: “Pancakes.” Tune of 2013: “Kaskade & Project 46 ‘Last
Chance’.” Breakthrough DJ/producer of 2013: “Krewella.”
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djmag.com
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