Julian Jeweil has released music on Filth on Acid, Minus, Cocoon and Drumcode.

Now a veteran DJ and producer, Julien Jeweil exploded onto the global scene in 2007 when his minimal techno track ‘Air Conditionne’ rose to the top of sales charts. An instant success, he then followed up with a series of high profile releases on influential labels ranging from Len Faki’s Figure to Sven Väth’s Cocoon Recordings.

As time progressed, his sound got darker and harder, as he went deeper into the realms of techno, and in 2015 he remixed a Joseph Capriati track on Adam Beyer’s Drumcode. Two years later, he was back on the label with a solo EP, and from there you could say the rest is history, as he is now one of the label’s most popular artists, soon to drop a new single titled ‘Boreal’. Keen to learn more about that new release, we invited Julien Jeweil for this interview…

Hi Julian, it’s great to be talking with you today. Could you start by saying the part of the world you are currently based in, and why you chose this area to live in? 

Hi, thank you for having me guys! I am currently based in the South of France, have been living there for many years. I actually grew up in this beautiful, sunny region. I lived abroad for a while, notably in Berlin, but I felt really connected to my native area and I wanted to be close to my family and friends. I live in a nice house up on the hills somewhere near Aix-en-Provence, close to the Mediterranean; there are plenty of trees and lots of sunshine. In the summertime there’s nothing nicer than sitting outside and having a beer while listening to the insects chirping. I love it.

What are some of the local nightlife attractions, and how have those been affected by the pandemic? 

The South of France is very vibrant and diverse in terms of nightlife. Marseilles is France’s biggest city right after Paris, so there are many venues dedicated to electronic music: Cabaret Aléatoire, R2 Rooftop, Club Baou… Of course, everyone – and especially venue owners – was harshly affected by the pandemic because the French government had implemented strict lockdowns and crowd gauges, but things have greatly improved these past months. I honestly am very optimistic for the forthcoming summer season.

When not working on music, what are some of the activities that help you relax? 

I like to run, it’s very efficient to clear my head! I also have been painting for many years, I think working on a piece is so relaxing. Otherwise, I like going to the restaurant with my family and friends; I mean, we’re French so we’re very serious about food!

I’m told you are also a passionate painter, could you list some of the artists that inspire you? 

Yes, I love to paint and I’m a huge Basquiat fan. His art touches me on a personal level. I love the way he expressed himself and incorporated important topics such as racism and class issues, in his paintings, graffiti, poetry… His work was so vibrant and avant-garde; it’s such a shame he died so young.

How do you compare the creative process of painting and starting a new track, is there any link between the two?

There definitely is a link. Both processes start with an obsessive idea; it’s like an itch I cannot get rid of, that claws its way up to the surface. I start with that, then I modulate as I go along until I reach the exact thing I was looking for.

Talking of your new music, could you tell us about your new release on Drumcode? 

I am so happy with my six-track EP ‘Boreal’ being on Drumcode! I was able once again to share my vision of techno music, with no constraints and full support.

What’s your music studio like, do you use mainly hardware or software? 

I mainly use, and love working with, Native Instruments’ Komplete series, Tone 2 VSTs, Nord Lead 2X, Virus TI and the Novation Bass Station 2.

When did you first make contact with Adam Beyer, and how many releases have you made on Drumcode? 

I was a long-time fan, and my manager put us in contact a few years ago. I sent Adam some demo tracks, which led to the release of ‘Rolling’ EP (2017). Then there was ‘Space’ EP (2017) followed by my debut long-player, Transmission in 2019. One year later, ‘Schema’ EP was released. So, yeah, there’s been a bunch!! I love working with Drumcode because they let me do pretty much what I want; they let me fulfil my vision and support me. I respect this label a lot.

What’s coming next in your schedule, do you have any other new releases or exciting gigs? 

 Yes, finally I am able to tour again, which is amazing!! I started off this year by playing in Australia for New Year’s Eve and I could not have been happier. I have so many gigs lined up and I’m excited like a kid because I can’t wait to share all the new music I have been working on. My touring schedule is getting busier by the minute and I love it. Otherwise, I’m working on several releases and collaborations but it’s a bit early to talk about that ; )

 Thanks for talking with talk with me today, is there a message for fans or anything else you would like to add before we finish?

I cannot wait to see you on the dancefloor guys. Brace yourselves for 2022!

You can pick up a copy of Julian Jeweil’s new release on Drumcode from HERE