Interview With DJ Falcon
- Danz
- 8 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Caught up with the amazing Stéphane Quême, aka DJ Falcon, record producer and one half of the duo Braxe & Falcon at CRSSD Fest in San Diego recently.
We talk about the early days, early gear, skateboarding and more.
Photos by Anise Lew for Synth History.
Synth History: When did you start getting into music?
DJ Falcon: I started getting into music with my childhood friend Pedro (Busy P), we grew up skateboarding together as kids. By the time we were about 18 years old—this was the early 90’s—we started DJing together, so that’s where it all started, with Pedro. Eventually we became roommates, Pedro had some turntables and we would share vinyls. Since Pedro was managing Daft Punk, I became close to Thomas Bangalter which led to me releasing music on Roulé. It all kind of connected, we were just a group of friends.
Synth History: Do you remember any of your first instruments or synthesizers?
DJ Falcon: Yes, some of my first equipment was the E-MU 6400 sampler, an Akai S950 sampler, a Novation Bass Station and Drum Station, a small Mackie mixer, and a Behringer Composer compressor. It was really cheap but had a great dirty sound. They bring me back to my time organizing parties at David Guetta’s club. I used to manage the club parties with Pedro as the resident DJ. After a year and a half of that, they paid me in one sum and that’s when I bought all my first gear. I was really starting from scratch.
Synth History: Do you have a favorite drum machine of all time?
DJ Falcon: It’s gotta be the LinnDrum. It’s still relevant after all these years, and unlike other machines it can cross over to other genres, like rock, more easily. The sound is timeless, which is a quality music producers like myself are always chasing.
I also want to mention the CyDrums from a Japanese company called Sonicware. It has a very different, futuristic feel. I actually got one before leaving for the US for CRSSD and it left a really good impression. I can’t wait to go back to it.
I like equipment that comes with some kind of surprise or encourages exploration. I’m obsessed with the unexpected. On a side note, this is why I went deep into modular synths. I have a huge wall of Eurorack, there’s so many makers out there today!
Synth History: It's easy to go down the rabbit hole and spend a lot of money there!
DJ Falcon: Exactly, now I’m realizing I have so much stuff. My cousin Alan Braxe got to the point where he had so much equipment that he made a radical move and cut it all down, keeping about five pieces of gear. Now he’s got a Buchla synthesizer, an old school sampler, and is working with software - the best of both worlds.
Synth History: I have to ask you—I just caught your guys' set and you played Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now". CRSSD is very electronic and I was surprised and happy to hear that!
DJ Falcon: [Laughs] That was Pedro. I mean, my point of view is that it's good to surprise the audience and do something unexpected. Like what I mentioned earlier, I'm obsessed with the unexpected. So if I was in the crowd, I would love that the DJ played something like that.
Synth History: Oh yeah, It was great. It might be hard questions, but if you could pick one album for somebody to listen to at least once in their lifetime, apart from your own, what would it be?
DJ Falcon: I'd have to go with [Daft Punk] Homework. I like the fact that it kind of represents what I play. A track from Homework, “Rollin’ & Scratchin’” is a favorite of mine, it’s driven and kind of pushy, but it still has this funky vibe, it's groovy. There are a lot of unique tracks on that album, with different tempos and inspiration it draws from.
Synth History: Who is your favorite skateboarder?
DJ Falcon: I can’t decide between Natas Kaupas and Mark Gonzales, I love both of them. Skateboarding isn't your typical sport, it's more of an art form, you know. When you’re a skater, you skate for life. It's similar to a musician and music. We all have this connection.
Synth History: What keeps you inspired on the road?
DJ Falcon: Exploration. I think it's fun to experience different types of crowds and music. I'm
traveling all the time. I guess I'm just naturally curious and like to nurture my curiosity. I feel
inspired when I learn new things, meet new people, and see new places. Right now, I'm in the
middle of two shows in the US and using a rental car to travel between them. I'll probably go to
New Mexico next week just to drive and do my photography.
Synth History Exclusive.
Interview conducted by Danz.
Photos by Anise Lew.
