Interview: French DJ Norman Doray @ Governor’s Island

It was my first time hearing Norman Doray live last Sunday at Governor's Island and he absolutely crushed it.  He pulled out a variety of bootlegs that the crowd went crazy for with the highlight for me being the Countdown to TUNG in the middle of the set (hear it in the YouTube below.)  As Norman discusses in the interview and what I clearly saw in the DJ booth was a guy who was really working through each song and showed me a high level of technical skill.  Check out more pictures at our Facebook Page from the concert.

BGB - So you got to New York on Friday, what have been some of the highlights?

ND - Well I have actually been in the studio almost the entire time working on tracks. I have luckily been able to meet a bunch of people in New York so was able to secure some great studio time.

BGB - We featured your track with Eddie Thoenick, "Celsius" recently and absolutely loved it.  Can you speak about that track and how it came together?

ND - The track is something special because I did it with Eddie Thoenick who I met almost five years ago.  I just told him "Hey, we are friends, why not do a track together?"  So we decided to do the track  back in November.  We locked down the studio for three days and then put some finishing touches on the song until about February/March and then we gave it to Size.  

BGB - We have been hearing rumors of a collaboration coming up with Nervo, can you speak to that at all or is that a little more under the radar?

ND - We are in the final process so its all good.  I met those girls about 2 years ago and we decided we wanted to do something because I love their music and the way they approach music as they are very fun girls.  It is not so big big room like Celsius but its different, more emotional but I love it because I want to show people I can play more groovy, funky and with vibes so that is what we did with the girls.  I really can't wait to share it with everyone.

BGB - When will that single be released?

ND - Mid September.

BGB - What about tonight, what are the big plans on stage? 

ND - A lot, a lot.  You know I am out on the road playing 3-4 times a week so i am constantly on the road trying to tweak tracks and make bootlegs and everything so I think the fans will enjoy.

So there has been some talk recently about DJs who just press play and just stand on stage and jam.  What are your thoughts on where the industry goes in the next few years, will that sytle of play fade out?

ND -I think this happens but I think as a DJ, you play for the people.  You have to act as a DJ and be on stage, play your tracks and show your skills to the people but that can be a problem for people who have to play as part of 2 or 3 tickets in a festival in front of 40,000.  You have to plan, you can never be prepared for that.

BGB - How much would you say you plan out for a set prior to coming on stage?  Will you adjust on the fly or play something based on the reaction of the crowd?

ND -You know what, I am always trying to do my own edits and bootlegs but not think about the crowd and what they think will be good.  I am not thinking oh they will love this, I want to please myself first and focus on the music.  But when the people like it, hey its way better.  For instance, I am playing in 30 minutes and I have no idea what I am going to start with.  For me, I love that, its adrenaline because I don't know whats going to happen so its good for me and always play like this and will do so forever.

BGB - I think that's great for the fans to really see a DJ working on stage.

ND -Yeah its different and people want to hear different things.  Real fans, they may want to see you in New York or Miami and if everytime they listen they hear the same music at the same audio, its hard.

BGB -Who is was your early influence?

ND - Daft Punk. He is a legend.  I am doing this job because it is a passion before its a job.  I mean he came to play his music and I knew my life was changing.