INTERVIEW — Getting In Sync With Denyl Brook [MI4L.com]

Interview With Denyl Brook

Q1: Who is Denyl Brook?

I am a DJ producer born in Marseille. I live in Lyon and I have been passionate about music since my childhood ! I have been immersed in music since my very young age as my family are real music lovers.

Q2: Tell us about your new release ‘My Lovin’?

If I had to define this EP, I would say that it is quite varied, both in terms of the moods of the tracks and their energies, ranging from very club songs to deeper sounds. The advantage of a 6-track EP is that it allows me to express several facets of my universe. This EP is a bit special because it brings together tracks composed between 2020 and 2022, two years that were very important to me, it represents in a way a retrospective of them. But despite the difference in period that separates certain tracks, we tried to keep consistency within the EP. I hope you enjoy !

Q3: What was the first thing that attracted you to the world of electronic music?

I remember my brother watching DJ sets on MCM and Viva at the time. He was an electronic-music digger.
Beyond arousing my curiosity, it germinated an ambition in me. I admired these DJs, for me it was the dream job. Playing your own music in front of people and getting paid for it ? There are worse jobs!
When I was old enough, I wanted to play in front of an audience like the DJs who inspired me at the time did (Tiesto, Armin Van Buuren, ATB…)
At 17 yo, I started to mix at friend’s parties, and I wanted to make people dance to the music I liked. After some time, I wanted to produce my own music to develop a musical identity.

Q4: Who are your greatest influences? 

Gusto – Disco’s Revenge :

I remember jumping on this track in my garden with the radio on full blast when I couldn’t read yet haha !
I became hyperactive as soon as the play button was activated. My brother listened to this song on repeat and it stayed in my head until today. I suspect this music to have hypnotized me all these years ! Listening to it brings back so many good memories 🙂

Mall Grab – Can’t :

The first time I came across this track was like a revelation to me. Mall grab introduced me to the Lofi-house genre, which I loved. It matches with the time I started to build my Denyl Brook project and I have a powerful memory of it. It was like a gateway to a new style of music that was familiar to me… I listened to all of his discography and became a huge fan. I still am and I find his career very inspiring.

Daft Punk – Voyager :

Definitely one of my favorite songs of all time. I heard it for the first time while I was playing the PS1, because of a neighbor who had his window open and was listening to it at full volume. For a very long time I didn’t know who made this music, until I bought the Discovery album and found out. Twenty years later, I play it as the closing of my sets!

Q5: How would you define your sound?

A piano, a big kick, groove and joy ! This is how I would define my productions ! The piano takes a very important place in my tracks, I find this instrument timeless and always very effective! Over time I aspire to do something more dynamic and fast, less deep than what I have been able to offer in recent years. As for the technical aspect, I produce my songs with VSTs and Hardwares. Most of the time I use the VST Juno 106 and the “Analog Lab” from the Arturia series. I embellish these melodic bases with my synthesizers: two Korg (Monologue and Minilogue) and my very dear TR8-S for the drums as well as some samples.

Q6: How has your sound evolved so far?

I started producing lofi-house inspired music. With very few elements, and a low BPM. Then, I redirected myself towards a more disco house style. I did a lot of edits and sampled disco tracks. At that time I was producing a lot and I felt like I had been around for a while. I had to find my own musical imprint and it is with time and experience that I learned to develop myself personally towards something that sounds like me.

Q7: What is the scene like in France at the moment?

I really like the current House scene in France, and more than ever I think. Artists like Leo Pol, Sweely, Oden & Fatzo, THEOS are the pride of French house. They are very inspiring and make you want to surpass yourself when you see the work they provide ! There are artists to follow very closely, who will have a very promising future I’m sure, like Baka G, Strandtuch, Romeo Louisa and many others…

Q8: What else can we expect from you over the next year?

I’m thinking of doing a Live project for my future gigs. I’ve always been gifted by the creativity and energy that Live brings. It’s a great way to expand your musical footprint and I’m really excited to share it with you ! I also plan to release during 2023 an EP on my label Silver Steps Records!

-Denyl Brook