Contributing WriterPont Neuf was founded in 2016 by Thomas Prunier, and it is now a major player in the French underground. The imprint has platformed many new school stars and helped to define the contemporary house sound through its releases, residency at Rex Club and numerous events at Concrete, Badaboum, Djoon, Sacré, Virage, and many others…
Hey Thomas! Thanks for chatting to Music Is 4 Lovers, what have you been up to recently?
Hey! I’m doing great, I just got married recently, and I’m happy to see this compilation coming out amongst so many other great releases on the label this year.
Congratulations on 8 years of Pont Neuf Records! You’re celebrating with a brand new compilation LP, ‘Hexagonal Club Vol 5’ set to release in September; what can you tell us about this release as well as the Hexagonal Club series?
Every compilation we have released are very important to me as I see them as a picture of the specific moment in the label’s life, highlighting all our family and friends. This one makes no exception and it’s a special one since it will be the last one of the Hexagonal Club series. I’m super happy and proud to gather so many talented artists, from historical ones (Tour-Maubourg, Cosmonection, KX9000, Berzingue) to usual friends (DJ Psychiatre, Maison Blanche, Mangabey, THEOS) and those who are making their debuts on Pont Neuf : Klo, Lyss, Ams, Dylan Dylan.
You founded Pont Neuf Records in 2016; since then, it has grown to become a major player in the French underground scene. Could you give us a deep dive into the early days of your career and Pont Neuf?
Thanks for the very nice words first of all. Pont Neuf was really a friend story at its very first days. I have been a teen fan of several labels that made me want to launch my own one. I was organising parties in Paris between 2014 and 2016 between the Social Club and Wanderlust when I met those who’d become the first artists of Pont Neuf later. It was at that time that I told myself I had to try my luck, and I’m so proud to see the label is still running almost ten years later.
Can we expect to see any events from Pont Neuf this year?
Sure thing, we’ll be in London at Jazz Cafe on September 14 and in Paris at Le Mazette (fka Concrete) on October 5 to celebrate the label’s 8th anniversary.
Outside of music, what do you like to do in your spare time?
I have a daily job so the label and my management and booking agency are what I’m doing during my spare time. Even if it’s not my only job – and I obviously hope I’ll be able to have a living from it one day – it’s my been essential to my life balance and I still have the very same passion and excitement I had on day 1.
Who’s your top artist right now and why?
All the artists I’m honoured to work with are my top artists, they’re my friends, they’re talented, I’m so fucking proud of them everyday.
With summer in full swing, do you have any plans you can share with us?
Rewatch the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris, to enjoy all the shows, all the diversity and love celebration and enjoy imagining all the fascists sweating to it.
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