The Standard

This Sunday at Le Bain, Nouveau York presents the Clash of two Titans: Dimitri from Paris and Jacques Renault. Who will survive? We met the two DJ heroes for a Standard Q&A in Disco mode.

Jacques Renault VS Dimitri from Paris

The Standard: What was the first disco record you fell in love with?

Dimitri from Paris: Change - The Glow Of Love, and it is still my all-time favorite.

Jacques Renault: Doctor’s Cat - Feel The Drive, first one to come to mind, for whatever reason.

What is the most recent disco record you love?

JR: Storm Queen - It Goes On, latest from Morgan Geist and Damon C Scott.

DFP: Tyson - After You’ve Gone (DFP remix)

Who is the most underrated disco hero?

DFP: Bob Blank. He was the sonic force, as sound engineer, behind most of the ground breaking Disco records (of Arthur Russel, Kid Creole, Larry Levan, Ze Records, Patrick Adams and many more). He and his wife are now acrobatic dance champions. It doesn’t get more Disco than this.

JR: Ray Parker Jr., the man behind Raydio among other things.

What is the most futuristic disco track?

DFP: Breakbot - Fantasy

JR: Charlie - Spacer Woman, maybe? it’s all about the future.

Breakbot’s Fantasy

What is the most archetypal disco song?

JR: Gino Soccio - Dancer

DFP: Gloria Gaynor - I Will Survive, pretty much sums it all up.

If disco was a movie?

DFP: All original Disco movies really sucked, except maybe Saturday Night Fever. I can only see Tarantino doing a good one now (here goes the John Travolta connection). I however give a special mention to Carlito’s Way and Boogie Nights for infusing credible touches of Disco essence while not making it the main focus.

JR: Martin Scorsese’s After Hours

If disco was a book?

JR: Brave New World

DFP: Disco doesn’t bother much to read, in my book.

If disco was a boy?

DFP: Nick Ashford

JR: Owen Wilson

Ashford & Simpson’s Solid

If disco was a girl?

DFP: Val Simpson

JR: Lindsay Lohan

Who is the greatest dancer?

JR: Justin Timberlake

DFP: You are, You are.

Who is the boss?

DFP: I Am (Love taught me).

JR: Gorgio Moroder

Georgio Moroder’s From Here to Eternity

“The producers are there, but to me the DJ is the paramount of everything. He holds the destiny of so many people in his hands. He can make or break hits.” (Michael Gomes in The Disco Files). Is it still true?

JR: It’s true that DJs make or break records and can determine the fate of a song or an artist. Most people remember the moment they first hear something out and that memory will stick with them for as long they hear it out. Or at least that is for me.

DFP: Holding the destiny of people is a bit far fetched. Making the hits, is a thing of the past. This said, I believe the DJs play an important part in making everyone’s night memorable. We’re a bit like taxi drivers, if we’re good you don’t notice we drove you happily where you wanted, or better, where you didn’t know you wanted. If we’re bad, Oy vey…

Where is today’s disco center of attraction?

JR: The Disco sound is all over the world these days, but I think it’s still influenced by classic and new sounds of New York City. The stuff coming out of London is in a similar vein, too, I think… like, who’s more ‘disco’ than Horse Meat Disco?

DFP: Today I’m not sure, but this Sunday it will be at Le Bain.

This Sunday December 11, Le Bain presents Nouveau York featuring Dimitri from Paris and Jacques Renault. Come early! Doors open 9pm. Party goes until 3am.