Hologram Teen: The ‘Wednesday Sleazy Side Of French Disco’ Mix

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Music

Written by Alasdair King

Following the release of her latest tape Hologram Teen has crafted a mixtape of sleazy French disco and soul which inspired the project.

LA based Hologram Teen (aka Morgane Lhote) has just released the latest outing on Ransom Note Records – a glowing sun kissed affair inspired by 80’s culture and a sphere of influence made up of Baroque keyboard parts, Neil Young’s “Trans”, French pop and beyond.

The tape is called ‘Day Glo Chaos’ and is her third album – a record which firmly cements her as an artist rooted in a sun kissed sound which meanders between funk, boogie, downtempo electronica, hip hop and beyond.

Considering the broad array of influences which impacted her creative process when crafting this release we felt it was appropriate to invite her to record a mixtape with a twist.

She explains the rationale behind her selections:

“I chose to focus on French Disco Funk music from the 1980’s with hedonistic themes. I was really influenced by 80s French pop for “Day-Glo Chaos” so this mix seemed fitting.”

This tape is a trip through a time when freedom and expression was flourishing in a way like never before, a throwback to a moment perhaps more innocent and care free.

Listen and read the interview below:

Please introduce yourself… Who are you, where are you and what are you?

My name is Morgane, I’m in Los Angeles, and I am a Hologram Teen

What does your music sound like? Can you draw what you think it sounds like for us (an image from the old internet is acceptable)?

Where was the mix recorded?

The mix was recorded in my home studio in LA.

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

The Palace nightclub in Paris in the 1980s.

What should we be wearing?

Neon leotards

What would be your dream setting to record a mix?

The Sparkle club in the Bronx on Grandmaster Flash’s homemade DJ mixer (rewired and crazy-glued).

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

I would have to pick “Homosexualis Discothecus” by Jean Yanne & Raymond Alessandrini because it’s the weirdest. It’s from the soundtrack of a 1982 French comedy called “Deux heures moins le quart avant Jésus-Chris’ set during the Roman empire. It’s an anachronistic parody of Bible films like Ben Hur and is a cult movie in France. That song is played in the film when the main character visit a secret location in the Catacombs which turns out to be a gay leather bar which is spinning that 80’s disco song in the background. So good!

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

I have a soft spot for Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas’ Essential Mix for BBC Radio 1 (06.05.07)

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

Grandmaster Flash again! For his use of scratching and giving MCs a music bedrock to talk on with his re-arrangement of drum solos.

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

I only use Ableton Live to do my mixes and I haven’t felt the need to change my gear yet 😉

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

The track you start on! You have 20 seconds or less to grab the listener’s attention.

What were the first and last records you bought?

First: The B-52’s first LP (the yellow one) / Last: Sharayet El Disco – Egyptian Disco & Boogie Cassettes 1982 – 1992 (Selected by Disco Arabesquo)

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

Dragibus (the best French candies ever)