A.Silentio is a French Dj-producer and the former label's manager of Perchépolis. Known for his raw music, he distils a mental techno, always delivered with an elegance and he has carved out a reputation for his selection skills behind the decks. He has been appointed the Art Director of Château Perché during a few years and launched Totem Rituel in 2022, an organisation which invites avant-garde renown artists. As an activist and entrepreneur, he keeps going forward by setting up the first edition of Sonoka Festival in September. Short interview at Terminal-Lyon where he holds a residency.

A.Silentio, where does the name come from ?

It's a quote from the Latin locution which means “by the silence”, this alias came from my love for quiet and peaceful moments, in opposition with my other side that is always moving. Also, silence means a lot in human interaction. And without silence, no sound. By the way, I had to change my previous alias that was literally unpronounceable in French (De Stijl) and, just for the anecdote, a rock band threatened to bring me to justice so…. But “every cloud has a silver lining” (laughs).

Your first approach to vinyl?

I didn't have a vinyl culture from my family even if the music had an important place in it. This love came with and at the start of my electronic culture, when I was 18. I used to play vinyl only for many years, but now I also like to play digital during a set.

Your music and art references?

I had many different colors of music in my life, it was hard to choose between all kinds of genres that striked me. I grew up with Arabic and Portuguese cultures and pop sound, before delving into the rock ocean, then hip hop music especially American East Side scene, punk stuff, south American’s genres, dub and reggae, techno, bass music, trip-hop…Just to focus on our scene, I can say that Prologue Records, P.A.S, Sandwell District, Oscar Mulero, DVS1 or Donato Dozzy had a big influence on the approach to my music and the mix. I used to read a lot when I was younger compared to today, and I’m also a big fan of cinema and narrative video games. I think that the storytelling is something that I try to make unconsciously in my music.

You were the label manager of Perchépolis…

It came after 3 years of activities as artistic director of the techno part and stage manager at Château Perché Festival. At this time, we had decided to focus a part of the label on hypnotic, raw, deep techno and we had started this new chapter with a split Ep from Emerging Patterns and me, followed by an awesome Ep by Amarou, and a Totem series vinyl made by 矯激 [Radical] called “La Technocratie - un album d’autofiction”. Below you can listen to few tracks from Perchépolis or click here.

Your favorite track from “Les Paresseuses”?

I love the track made by Bezhad et Amarou feat. Mathieu Deranlot - #therapy

What do you like at Terminal Club?

Its history and the special position that the club has in the electronic scene in Lyon. Also, it is always a pleasure to work with the team.

Top 5 European festivals?

I used to be a festival-goer in my twenties and I have to say that the Freqs of Nature was for me one of the best experiences I had, with a complete and crazy artistic direction; also, the Boom Festival and Ozora for the organisation and public welcoming, and even if it's less my musical taste.  Actually, I had on my wishlist the Mo:dem Festival, La Nature and the Waking Life.

Your vision about a successful festival?

A safe place for everyone; a bubble where the spirit can be completely focused on living the moment; where perfect strangers share the same love for sound and where music, visual art, all is made to make a fusion of these different energies and intentions for a unique instant. And a very good sound system!

So, you know what to expect at Sonoka Festival!

Your ritual before a gig?

Triple check if I have all my stuff every time and, spoiler alert, I always lose a little thing. More seriously, I like to stay in the place, enjoy and feel the vibe.

Your best gig?

Hard to say, but maybe my closing on le Bout du Canal stage at Château Perché 2022: second day of the festival, the sunshine at 9 in the morning, an incredible energy on the dancefloor through a veritable exchange with the audience during 3 hours. That was an experience to share emotionally, especially after 3 days of organisation and management and 1 year of organisation in total.

The Dj that puts you crazy systematically?

Hard question. DJ Pete aka Substance, but I can also mention Djrum or Garçon in my top-list. Less famous, Wild Aspect and Cyberlife are for me two French Djs definitely underrated who deserve more recognition.

If you would not be an artist, you would be…

From my side, it’s really hard to describe myself as an artist, and it will be impossible for me to just be involved in the music industry. I've been working now for 8 years as “Educateur Specialisé” (social worker). I work with people who have different difficulties or diseases (psychologic, social or other). I'm also a Hypnotherapist.

Without music, life would be…

So annoying

Your favourite vinyl shop?

Hardwax is at the top of my list, but also Unité Centrale in Lyon (click here for the Rare Wax by Unité Centrale). I also used to go to Ultimae in Lyon where I spent a lot of time and that had a big influence on my deep techno, ambient and downtempo culture.

If you could transport yourself, you would choose…

Maybe between 60’s and 90’s, for the creativity

Do you consider yourself an activist?

I can hardly define myself like this because it concerns everyone who really fights physically or at any time for their rights or their lives. But as I've said previously, the search for meaning is one of my pillars, that's work in my music, but also in my work as a social worker that implies fundamental values of humanity, sharing and caring. All of those values, I think, are in such danger today with all events that we witness in our crazy world, or even in France with the political crisis that we need to overcome. About Techno music, this one was always eminently political and conveys messages. I think that the loss of meaning is not a good thing for our heritage and brings the next generations on the wrong path, ruined in the meantime by the business and social media world.

Top 5 new releases?

dBridge & Forest Drive West “Vignette” [EXITVS009]

Obscure Shape “Genzo” [MTB013]

LB Dub Corp “Only the Good Time” [DKMNTL101-B]

Sindh “Swarms” [Sindh]

Yogg “Painless County” [Polarized Future]

Top 5 oldies?

James Ruskin “Correction Centre A” [BP018]

Reeko “Between Ourselves” [PRUK075]

Mike Parker “Resonator one” [DR022]

I/Y “0000.030” [Fracture 001)

Oscar Mulero “Friday Thirteen” [WU009]

Interviewed by Sabrina Bouzidi