All superstar Deejays started out playing records in their mom’s basement. So it’s important for us to look for new up and coming talent. Recently we came across HOTLEGS. A group from Paris composed of 3 Djs and producers. The claim to be based in 3 cities, that doesn’t matter anyways. Music is music and it could be accessed from anywhere with the power of Mr. Internet.

Their new single “A Man Tonight” is out for downloads. It’s a really good dance track. I could see this getting played by established DJs. There’s quite a lot of competition out there for DJs / producers. It’s saturated by music lovers who wants to have their share of the glory. When you look at myspace for example. Almost everyone who loves to dance to electronic music is an aspiring DJ. So to really stand out, you have to be exceptionally good.

Hotlegs don’t really care about the competition. They’re doing their own thing. They claim to have more to offer compare to other DJ/ performers out there. Plus they have really hot legs.

Elektro Addict caught up with the boys to talk about what goes on with the group. Here’s a transcript of the conversation of Shannon (our very own) had with them on a Sunday afternoon.

 
SHANNON: Why is the group called “Hotlegs”?
Julian : First, thank you Shannon and elektroaddict.com for this interview, a first time for the band.
Arthur : Oh What a lovely name Shannon! Yes, it’s a first time and we’re always a bit nervous the first time but everything will be fine sweetie.
Julian : You’ll quick understand that we have a true passion for dancefloor music and women. Maybe we should start with a brief history of the band.
Arthur : You’re Right. Julian has formed the group with DJ DXS and during a brainstorming and music session they’ve chosen that funny and explicit name.
Julian : Take it word for word. Nothing please us more than seeing girls dancing with energy on our music.
Arthur : Oh there’s maybe something but it’s an X file :o) We’re simply all-natural leg warmers dealers (but we’re not fetishists… yet lol)
Julian : So taking that name for the band was like an evidence. And it’s not only a band, but we’ll talk about it later.

SHANNON: Who are the band members? Do you have any pictures we can use for this article?
Arthur : I’m Arthur Scop aka The Scopitone, 26 years old, producer in the band and label manager. Really nice to meet you sugar (http://www.myspace.com/arthurscop).
Julian : Djulians aka Sekoya in Trance and Drum&Bass scene, 29 years old, DJ performer, producer and artistic director of the label (http://www.myspace.com/djulians and http://www.myspace.com/djsekoya).
Arthur : DXS aka DJ Famas, DJ performer is also a band member, unfortunately too busy right now to take part of this interview (http://www.myspace.com/djdxs).
Julian : And Paul, 22 years old, great singer and guitar player. At the present time, we’re working on the press material, trying to do something original so it takes some time.
Arthur : Sorry but the only pictures you can use now are the band logo and th 1st cover honey.

SHANNON:  I noticed that the group is composed of DJs/ producers from different countries. Tell me how did you all venture into one? what sparked (inspired) the idea?
Julian : In fact, the group is composed of DJs / producers from Paris, France, working regulary in different countries. Sorry for destroying that myth.
I know Arthur for more than 10 years, we made our first Trance live act in 2002 in a magic open air party in France under “Trancers” project name.
Arthur : And the Hotlegsô band started with some music exchange. Producers like me love to give some tracks to their friend DJs for having a concrete dancefloor feedback.
Julian : Yes, with that kind of collaboration, producers can create more efficient club music and reach better grooves. We’re exchanging tips together, it’s like a music symbiosis.
Arthur : Finally it becomes obvious to work together into a music band. Recently, We selected the best tracks and decided to release them on our own eponymous and digital exclusive label.

SHANNON:  Tell me about “A Man Tonight” what does it sound like?
Arthur : I think it could be classified as “Purenergy” Club Techno.
Julian : Yeah, a track based on a powerfull lead synth and strong beats. The german people will love it.
Arthur : And it’s about a woman that know exactly what she want for her night with no matter if she can find only drunk men with very stupid laught.
Julian : Nothing more to say, please listen to it and take a look at the cover.

SHANNON:  What program (software) do you use to produce?
Julian : Music Maker on Windows 98.
Arthur : You liar ! I never lie to cute women eheh. No, we’re working on Apple Logic 7/8 dear Shannon.
Julian : …LOL… Ok and maybe we have a license for one or two more audio softwares and plugins!
Arthur : Add to this some hardware synthesizers, something real that you can twiddle gently.
Julian : Yes because we’re deeply passionated by sound design. We love to create our own synthesizer textures.

SHANNON:  The internet and the world itself is saturated by dj/producers. What makes Hotlegs different?
Arthur : We expected that question sweetie :-)
Julian : Before everything, most of the producers aren’t real DJs and most of the DJs aren’t real producers. Many well known DJs became producers in one day by buying or licensing some tracks.
The same way, many well known producers improvise themselves as DJs by buying sophisticated turntables and mixers. Technology can help but they still have a huge lack in mixing art.
Arthur : In our band, we got everything. A producer, a DJ / producer and a DJ. Each with its own feelings and point of view of how create a catchy music for clubs.
Julian : And each one teach one.
Arthur : But remember sugar, DJs are not rockstars ! They’re only mixing music, sometimes very well, but most of the time created by other people.
Julian : The producer is speaking but God is a DJ…
Arthur : I don’t trust in God, but I trust in you Julian, in particular as producer.
Julian : Ok, I let you have the final word.
Arthur : Me and girls always have the final word.

SHANNON:  How do hotlegs produce tracks?
Arthur : There are no specific rules honey. The anecdote is that “A Man Tonight” was composed by Julian with his ex-girlfriend Lady1000Volts (http://www.myspace.com/lady1000volts).
Julian : That’s true and now I’m travelling around australia and asia. Arthur is producing alone for the project in Paris.
Arthur : Yeah, I’m the lonely guy but now I got you babe… Otherwise, we start generally from scratch and first we create a grooving bass and kick couple. Or we can start from selected samples like hiphop beatmakers.
Julian : After that, we play live, recording many synth ad-libs. When we think that the groove’s good enough, we start the production work itself, defining a structure, creating breaks, adding effects, etc.

SHANNON:  How do you deal with conflicts when deciding a track, beats, vocals etc? Who’s got the final say?
Arthur : Julian as band leader and label artistic director has the final cut.
Julian : I train Kung-Fu maybe it helps lol.
Arthur : Our work is based on the philosophy of the will : When somebody want to create a new part within a track, nobody will stop or disturb him. Once it’s done, we listen to it and decide all together to keep it or not.
Julian : About vocals and lyrics, it’s the job of our singer even if we’re willing to experiment that way too.

SHANNON:  what’s the future forecast for hotlegs? Any interesting new projects?
Julian : Who knows… Hope we’ll have sunny days after too much grayness. We need some fame to open doors keeped closed to us at this time.
Arthur : I’ll tell you everything in private my dear ;-) We have many projects and strongly need money, time and work force to push the things forward.
Julian : We’re working on our live concept, an original videoclip, a dedicated website for the band, some compilations to be released on our digital exclusive label, etc.
Arthur : Yes, because Hotlegsô is “a band, a label and a brand”. That’s our slogan. Hotlegsô is a party-oriented products and entertainment services trademark under registration in the U.S. and U.E. (and soon in the rest of the world).
Julian : We would like to offer our savoir-faire in terms of value added remixing and sound designing to the labels, radios and some commercial companies.

SHANNON: Pop stars capitalize on image. Do you think that’s important for DJ/producers to succeed besides good music?
Arthur : You know baby, what you’re talking about is the dollar thing. Music is business but business isn’t music… We know that, learnt to deal with it like we learnt to deal with globalization.
For example, our label is a LLC incorporated in the city of Dover, Delaware for a matter of flexibility and taxes issues.
Julian : For now, we’re focused on the band, the live act and its visual concept.
Arthur : Focused on creating good music that gives you energy and pleasure. And when time will come to capitalize on our growing audience, the brand will be the perfect tool for it.

SHANNON:  How do hotlegs perform live? Is it a jam between the DJs? or Do you play one at a time?
Julian : We would like to offer something not common in the electro house scene. We’re working on 2 different scene configurations.
Arthur : First, a “light” electro configuration with at least 2 members of the band making a true live act with computers, synthetizers and turntables.
Julian : On the other hand, a “sexy pop” band configuration. With our singer and its guitar, a drummer, synth or played bass, synthetizers and turntables too.

SHANNON:  Are you guys playing anywhere?
Arthur : DJ DXS is playing regularly in Spain and Switzerland.
Julian : I’m trying to play in Sydney, Australia and develop some contacts overthere.
Arthur : The information I’m giving you now is not yet confirmed but maybe writing about it here will help. The 1st official Hotlegsô brand party should be organized in 2008 in Shanghai, China at the already famous “Bar Rouge” (http://www.resto18.com)
Julian : In addition, We’re searching for booking and promotion partnerships, exclusive or not, so any interested people could send a mail to partnership@hotlegsrecords.com

SHANNON: Do you have a preview link to your new single that we can preview directly from our website?
Arthur : Everything you want, it’s so hard to say no to you Shannon. May I offer you a drink honey ?
Julian : You can preview it on our space : http://www.myspace.com/hotlegsmusic or check the label website http://www.hotlegsrecords.com
Arthur : And because you’ve charmed me and we’re close friends now, I have a special gift exclusively for you and your beautiful eyes sugar : Our promo remix of the worldwide known track “Give it to me” by Timbo, download it here :  http://shannon.hotlegsrecords.com
Julian : Enjoy & take care Sharon ! Cheers.
Arthur : Pfff.. she’s called Shannon ! And she’s sincerely welcome in Paris, the most beautiful and romantic city of the world. Give it to me baby… French kisses …