Les Yeux Orange: The Ransom Note Mix

Music

There are very few other publications whom we would consider to be as valuable as ourselves. Kidding of course. However, Les Yeux Oranges certainly top the ranks in regard to relevancy and likeminded commitment.

The team behind the site and label have strived for years to push groundbreaking underground music and showcase new artists. Tireless work with little reward. We are delighted to be able to welcome them as contributors to The Ransom Note mix series. Listen and read the interview below:

Who are you, where are you and what are you?

We are Raphael, Stanislas & Camille aka Les Yeux Orange. We're based in Paris and we are DJs, collectors, producers, label owners, illustrators, party animals and cameramen on movie shootings.

What does your music sound like? Can you draw what you think it sounds like for us?

Since we don't produce yet with the LYO monikers but do only edits let's say it sounds tropical, sleazy and wet. Hmm tough one… Paul Gauguin?

What was the inspiration behind Les Yeux Orange? Did you expect for it to take off in the way which it did?

The inspiration was quite down to earth, just share the music we like because we thought we had something to offer. We had no goal other than maybe launch a label when we began the project so it's hard to answer your question but as soon as it began to be really time consuming we wanted to push things forward.

Where was the mix recorded?

In Humangigz' flat / bedroom / kitchen / jacuzzi. Joking aside, we recorded the mix in his flat in the South of Paris, but the place is so tiny and filled with records that there's hardly enough room to set up two decks and a mixer, that's not such a super glamourous side-effect of living in such a city but you know all that too well with London.

What would be the ideal setting to listen to the mix?

This is a difficult question as there are a lot of different feels in this mix. The first part is quite epic so ideally one should be in an dramatic environnement to fully experience its power, for example watching the sunset from the top of a mountain. Since this isn't quite realistic, home could be a good place to listen to it.

What should we be wearing?

We'll leave that one up to you, but please send us some pictures.

What would be your dream setting to record a mix: Location/system/format?

Our dream setting would be on a beach in the sunrise, surrounded by close friends, with all our records on site and zero time limit. Obviously this ain't gonna happen anytime soon but we're already quite happy to play on the beach in Corsica this July for Calvi On The Rocks.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

We don't really want to pick one out since it's a collective selection, so it's time for some shameless self promotion: one of our latest edits is featured in this mix, it's coming out very soon on Good Plus (G+003) along with two other tracks. You have to guess which one it is.

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

Pfiou, would take a century to remember, let's quote each one that had a proper material release which comes easily to mind: Stan : I-F "Mixed up in the Hague" / Raphael: Dave Clarke "Electroboogie n'2 The throwdown" / Camille: "Metro Area Fabric 43"

If you could go back to back with any DJ from throughout history, who would it be and why?

Mmm one could easily say David Mancuso or Larry Levan for the obvious blablatribute to the history but let's say DJ Sextoy (RIP) from the golden era of Pulp nightclub here in Paris circa 1998-2002. The Pulp was the club that really got me into electronic music back in those days, being located 5 mns from my place and having the best atmosphere in Paris. Maybe i'm idealizing like an old prick but it seemed the best blend of fashionistas, gays & lesbians, random people & hard party goers i've experienced here ever. Residents were guys like Smagghe, Chloe, Jennifer Cardini to name a few and they used to invite top notch djs, everybody wanted to play there.

What was your first DJ set up at home and what is it now?

Two MK2's and a terrible but cheap Behringer vmx 200 and later changed for a Pioneer DJM400.

What’s more important, the track you start on or the track you end on?

The track you end on because that's the one you'll remember and sets a definitive tone.

What were the first and last records you bought?

When a kid it was a 7" of The soundd of Confetti's "The sound of C" a trashy but fun new-beat track. As an adult who began to want to grow an electronic collection to maybe mix it was "Julien Jabre & DJ Gregory Present Soha ‎– Amour" in 2000. Last record bought is the supernice early 90's house compilation on Young Marco's Safe Trip "Welcome To Paradise Vol. II: Italian Dream House 89-93"

If this mix was an edible thing, what would it taste like?

Shrimps in coconut.

If it was an animal what would it be?

A platypus.

One record in your collection that is impossible to mix into anything?

More than one. But it would need to spend hours in a dark basement deprived of windows to answer properly.

Upcoming in the world of…

Our next batch of edits on GoodPlus 003. Then some exciting gigs & festivals here in Paris, Corsica, Spain, Lithuania & London and LYO#003 by Earth Trax & Newborn Jr in September.