Nicolas Dermen
Nicolas Dermen
30-03-12
French party-starter Nicolas Dermen comes to London for the long weekend to playing a night of dirty sexy house at B(e)ast. We caught up with him to ask about throwing the best parties in the south of France and beyond...
What's the strangest place you've ever played?
I remember one big party in Nice, where the stage and the dance floor were very close to the ruins of a castle called La Colline du Château. It's the most popular place for people in Nice to walk and relax as it has sublime panoramic views over the city, the sea and the famous Promenade des Anglais. It was very strange to play in place so normally quiet.
What is your favourite end of the night record?
This one is really beautiful for the close of a party but I listen to new tracks every day so I have a lot of tracks I love to play at the end of the night.
Radiohead - Codex (Henry Saiz remix)
Is it true French lovers are better than English ones?
I know French lovers have a reputation of being good and romantic lovers and I think it's true but there are good lovers all the world and I think in England too. Love is without borders but I'm sure of one thing: a French kiss is the best one!
What has been your worst ever DJ experience?
One New Years Eve in Marseille, during one of the rare times I've played there, in a club that had gone into administration just one day before and decided to have the party anyway. The situation and the ambiance were really boring the entire night, and after the party I had to drive to Nice to get a flight to Berlin and I fell asleep on the road so I had to stop a little and almost missed my plane...
What's the best party you've ever been to (as a clubber)?
I have not really had a best party. I mean, for each I try to find a positive and always have a good time. All parties are different but I don’t want to have a best party in my mind, because if I have one, I'll compare it to others and that's not necessary a good thing. Of course, there are some events that have a big place in my memory like a boat party during Off Sonar, a Monday morning at Watergate in Berlin with just around 30 clubbers...
What's the biggest difference between the London crowd and the Marseille crowd?
I live close to Marseille but I rarely play in this city, so I prefer to say the "south of France crowd". The difference is there is lot of commercial clubs in the south of France and a lot of people go to party to show themself, not really for music, just to say "I'm here, look at me, I'm VIP" but fortunately we have a few good clubs where people come just for music and friends, and it's always the best parties.
Who is your biggest musical influence?
Kevin Saunderson (Inner City), Kenny Larkin, Laurent Garnier, Carl Craig, Jeff Mills...
If you were throwing a dream party where would you have it and who would you have on your line-up (alive or dead)?
A day and night party at the Eiffel Tower. During the morning: Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff. Afternoon till midnight: Jimmy Hendrix, Pink Floyd, The Who. Midnight till late : Inner City, Laurent Garnier live and Jeff Mills...
Nicolas Dermen plays at B(e)ast alongside Rebecca Sawyer (One Great Track) and residents Borja Peña and KevinFunkt on Saturday 7th April from 9pm - 4am.
Nicolas Dermen