Contributing WriterAstropolis Records emerged from the legendary French electronic festival and has become a bastion of deeply emotional sounds with plenty of flair. To mark its 10th anniversary belatedly, a selection of artists who have long been associated with the brand have all stepped up. Eight of the tracks are exciting collaborations, and only three of the 10 have been previously released. We sit down with one of the artists featured on the LP, Oniris, as he talks us through his new release, production process, and passions.
1. Hi Oniris, and welcome to Music is 4 Lovers. How has your 2025 been so far?
Thanks for having me! 2025 has been an inspiring year so far — full of creativity, new collaborations, and exciting projects. The highlight for me is definitely my upcoming track with Benjamin Rippert, which will be featured on the Astropolis Records 10-year anniversary compilation. It’s a project that really captures what I love most about music: emotion, melody, and connection.
2. You’re from the South of France, we understand. What can you tell us about your home town and the music scene there?
Yes, I’m from Nice, South of France, a beautiful city by the sea — a very pleasant place to live, with the Alps and wide open spaces just an hour’s drive away. A region full of light, warmth, and contrasts,
Even though electronic music isn’t the most dominant scene here, there are still some really cool spots and events happening throughout the year, especially during the summer.
One of the cultural landmarks here is Le 109, a “pôle de cultures contemporaines” built inside the city’s former slaughterhouses — it’s now a hub for art, performance, and electronic music, hosting some nice underground events. On a smaller but equally important scale, Le Perlone has become a key meeting point for the local scene — intimate, passionate, and always musically on point.
During the summer, the region comes alive with festivals like Crossover in Nice and Les Plages Électroniques in Cannes, which bring thousands of people together right by the Mediterranean.
3. You have a track on the new Astropolis compilation album in collaboration with Benjamin Rippert. What can you tell us about your relationship with Astropolis?
Astropolis has always been close to my heart. I’ve been connected with the crew since the very beginning of my journey in electronic music, and we share the same musical values — authenticity, emotion, and a deep respect for the culture. Being part of their 10-year anniversary compilation feels very special.
The collaboration with Benjamin Rippert, a brilliant pianist and composer who was a member of the L.B.S. project alongside Laurent Garnier and ScanX, came very naturally. We wanted to blend electronic textures with classical emotion, and Astropolis Records was the perfect home for it.
4. Your track ‘Sonate’ is probably the most melodic cut on the LP. How did you go about the production process, and do you generally enjoy working in collaboration or solo?
“Sonate” actually started with a rhythmic sketch I built — a few synth loops and the first structure of the track. From that early demo, Benjamin recorded his piano parts, bringing a whole new emotional dimension to the piece. After that, I refined the arrangement, shaping the atmospheres around his performance to find the right balance between acoustic depth and electronic energy.
I love working solo because it’s introspective, but collaborations like this one bring something unexpected — a dialogue that pushes you beyond your usual comfort zone and takes the music somewhere you couldn’t reach alone
5. You’ve released on a multitude of great record labels. What have been some of the highlights for you?
Each release means a lot to me, because I’ve always been lucky to work with labels that I truly respect or admire. Of course, releasing my first EP on Bedrock back in 2013 was a huge moment, but over the years, I’ve been collaborating with amazing imprints like Systematic, Ovum, Cod3QR, Herzblut, KMS or Ovum, and more recently Balance Music. Each one has represented a new step in my evolution as an artist and has allowed me to explore a wide range of sounds, because I don’t like to lock myself into one specific style.
But Astropolis will always feel like home — it’s more than a label; it’s a family that shares the same values and spirit that drives me.
6. What are your all-time favourite albums and why?
That’s a tough one! But if I had to name a few:
Michael Jackson – Thriller: an absolute masterpiece that transcends genres. The production, the groove, the vocal performances — everything is perfection. It’s an album that defined pop culture and still inspires generations of artists across all styles.
Nirvana – Nevermind: raw, powerful, and emotional. It captured the spirit of an entire generation and proved that music can be both melodic and rebellious. The energy and honesty of this record are still unmatched.
NTM – Paris sous les bombes: a cornerstone of French rap. The beats, the flow, the attitude — it brought a new level of consciousness and intensity to French music. It’s a record that marked my youth and still resonates deeply.
7. When you’re not in the studio or performing, what are your personal passions and other interests?
When I’m not in the studio or performing, I work as a structural engineer. I love to travel — discovering new cultures, atmospheres, and landscapes always fuels my inspiration. I’m also passionate about outdoor activities: I ride my e-MTB in spring and autumn to explore the beautiful landscapes of my region, I go freeride snowboarding in winter, and wakesurfing in summer. Those moments in nature help me clear my mind and find new creative energy. And of course, I love spending time with family and friends — it keeps me balanced.
8. What else do you have lined up for the year ahead?
After the Astropolis compilation, I’ll be focusing on new original music and developing more collaborations with Benjamin Rippert, we have a great creative connection.
I’ll also be performing at Warehouse in Nantes on December 19th, alongside Laurent Garnier and Sonic Crew, to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Astropolis Records. It’s going to be a special night — Warehouse is one of the most impressive clubs in France, and playing with Laurent is always a memorable experience.
Buy Here