Stuntman5’s third album “Akolabuzi” is a bare fist battle between an unbridled electronica and a noisy rock reminiscent of My Bloody Valentine’s shoegaze guitars. A recording made with a few microphones and a laptop, DIY is the way to go. Stuntman5 is also known as DJ Cognac Jay and he made this exclusive mix.

What’s your mix about?

This mix is basically indie rock meets electronics with hip hop acapellas. Some of the songs in there mean a lot to me, like the Drop Nineteens, Technotronic or Nathan Fake songs. it’s just about putting all the music we like at one moment (old songs and new songs)together and try to build a mix around this. This is fun to do. I try to have a melodic approach. In my point of view, this is what makes a good mix beyond the selection.

Who are Stuntman5 and where do they come from?

It’s a solo project. So this is me recording stuff in my home studio in Paris then inviting friends playing parts. I have this old farm in the country where we went to record all the vocals and drums. Live it consists of a three piece band (Seep playing machines and keyboards, MR Daewoo on the drums and me playing guitars and singing).

What’s up in Stuntman5’s world these days?

There is a new full length out there in France called ‘Akolabuzi’. Some remixes are on the way (by dDamage, Seep and more). And we rehearse a lot in order to put a live show together. We play in Paris October 16th at the Point FMR.

Who did the artwork for the album?

James Graham (UK) did those drawings of wrestlers. He worked with Damien Poulain for the sleeve design. He also worked on the “Rate Your Feelings” video with director Bill Porter and they did this cool wrestler fight motion clip : http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=E7O9RNfJ3TA.

How do you define your sound?

These are simple pop songs. Guitar layered & beat driven pop songs.

How is the scene in Paris at the moment?

I don’t have this high view over Paris right now. I don’t know precisely who’s doing what and where. Last time I went to a club in Paris, it made me feel so old. I’d rather go to gigs and festivals. There are people with great taste in music who organize cool events (for instance organizations such as Fiasco System and la Villette Sonique).

Any place you recommend to check when around?

Record shop: you definitely should keep your money for parties when you are in Paris.
Clubs: the Social club, la Java.
Cool spots: Point FMR; Bar Ourcq.
If you’re about to visit Paris just check vodkacoca.com and w-h-y.org to know what to do at night.

Nowadays physical copies of records are hard to sell and mp3s are so easy to grab for free. Where is the money? Where are we going?

I avoid record stores. I feel depressed each time I go to a record store. It seems so “voué à l’echec”. People are still buying records. 30+ years old people still buy some cds even if they download a lot (legally or not). This is were the money is. Upper socio-professional category : people who are still music fans and now work for companies. The kids they all know how to grab for free plus they keep their money for clothes, drinks, parties. And they don’t give a fuck about record collections.

What was you best night out, and what would be your dream team line up for a party?

I remember having a lot of fun at this festival in Spain called Benicassim 10 years ago when it was still a small festival. ATP festival is the event I ‘d like to go to (the one curated by My Bloody Valentine has got the perfect rock line-up)
Perfect line up would be: Yo La Tengo, Battles, Simian Mobile Disco, Diplo.

How important is the internet for you and where do you see it going

I don’t know. I heard that if you type ‘google’ into Google you can break the internet.

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