Clarence Rise is a French Dj, producer and Live performer. He has begun the production in 2012 and since then he has been signed on notable imprints such as Qeone, Dynamic Reflection, Chez Kito Kat, Bella Ursa Recordings, Spazio Magnetico, Indefinite Pitch, Crescent London to name a few. His sound designs create deep and textured soundscapes with an organic, percussive and cinematic feel, immersing the listener into a hypnotic journey. Clarence Rise also transmits his passion for techno by teaching Djing and production techniques. From his studio, he looks back on his roots and tells us more about his projects including new Lives sets and several Eps notably on Melifera Records, Graver Record and DEMENT3D among others.

Welcome to the Star wax office, a glass of?

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, please!

How was your childhood and the environment where you grew up?

My family has no connection to music; I’m entirely self-taught. But I grew up surrounded by my parents’ love of music and their passion for new wave and cold wave bands, of which I’m also a huge fan. Music software was my gateway into production; the hardware came later!

Who are your main influences?

At the top of the list of my musical influences is Depeche Mode, whom I absolutely adulate and admire. But I’m more specifically influenced by the entire Prologue Label era, which had a significant impact on how I appreciate deep techno. If I had to name a few artists who have inspired my work, I would say: Kangding Ray, Polygonia, Mike Parker, Lorn and Answer Code Request.

How did you discover electronic music?

The fairly typical journey of a child born in the late 1980s: the new wave music my parents listened to, which sparked my first love for synthesizers and drum machines; the discovery of 90s icons like Daft Punk and Garnier; and then, little by little, a personal exploration of subgenres and sub-subgenres until I found what truly resonated with me.

Could you define your sound in 3 words?

Cold, organic, storytelling.

Your favorite equipment in the studio?

Right now, it's my Pittsburgh Modular Voltage Lab 2. It might be the most complex machine in my studio, but it opens up a world of possibilities!

Your main inspirations in 3 words?

Nature, Fiction, Human psyche (sorry, that's actually four words...)

What is your favorite part of the creative-production process?

I usually rely on experimentation and chaos, and when I stumble upon an accidental singularity that perfectly complements the story as it unfolds, it’s a real treat!

If I mention Bella Ursa - interview here - what comes first to your mind? 

The perfect opportunity to write my most personal work to date—my debut album. Thanks to this label!

How have you been approached by the label Qeone and decided to collaborate together?

A few years ago, Polygonia put out a call for submissions to a 2-parts VA titled 'Landscapes'. I couldn’t resist. I’m a huge fan of Polygonia and everything she creates. I submitted my track “Anesthetic”, and it had the immense honor of being selected!

What effects are you looking for on the listener?

What I'm looking for most in listeners is that feeling of escape they allow themselves when they're listening to my music. Whether it’s in a club with my more techno-oriented tracks, or out in nature, if whoever is listening to my music starts to move spontaneously—swaying, tapping their feet—while closing their eyes and letting their mind wander to another place, then I’ve succeeded!

What is your current Live setup and since when do you perform?

My live sets are dawless; the core of my setup is my Octatrack sampler/sequencer and my Analog Rytm drum machine. I always add two additional sound synthesis sources and effects to that; for example, for my 2025 live set, I used a Korg Minilogue Xd with an ASM Hydrasynth, along with a delay unit from EnjoyElectronics. For the next one I’m preparing for the summer, I’ll be using the Torso S4 as well as the Soma Warp as an effect unit.

Could you speak about TRÊVE please?

TRÊVE is a collective based in Nancy that has been around for a few years and is gradually evolving into a label. Initially, it focused on ambient music in all its forms, with a desire to blend visuals and audio: VJing, immersive installations... Over time, however, new opportunities led us to expand our approach by incorporating the most hypnotic forms of techno. My friend Medulla Oblongata is the headliner of this project.

Any ritual before a gig?

Two strong shots of espresso! I also like to mingle with the crowd to feel the vibe and experience how the sound comes across in different spots.

I heard that you transmit your passion by teaching Djing techniques. For you, what is a good Dj in 3 words? 

If we consider DJing as I practice it - a musical art form, rather than entertainment -, what matters most to me is storytelling, precision, and the energy conveyed.

Your top 5 favorite labels?

Hypnus, QEONE, Samurai Music, Delsin, Non Series

Your top 5 favorite clubs/festivals?

KALT, Essaim, Macadam, La Nature Festival, La Vallée Électrique

A banger in 3 words?

Kangding Ray - “TARO”. Blow your mind!

One of your tracks which best represents you today?

I would say “Link”, released on my album “Tangent Beliefs” in 2022. A track against the trend, with varied moods both trippy and darkly serene.

The Dj who puts you crazy systematically?

DVS1, who, in my opinion, is THE best DJ out there. Every one of his sets is a lesson.

Sun or moon?

Moon, at the edge of the daylight!

Without music life would be…

...painful

If you could have a short conversation with an artist, which one would you choose?

It would be Martin Lee Gore, co-founder of Depeche Mode. I'd love to thank him for everything he brought to electronic music and to my own work.

Your Top 5 new releases?

- Aderal “Lighthouse”

- Loek Frey “Pace”

- Ancestral Voices “Latent Codes”

- Notzing “Resomnarium”

- Chants & Dave Schoepke “Rafter”

Your Top 5 oldies?

- Biosphere “Poa Alpina”

- In Aeternam Vale “Ultrabase”

- Nathan Fake “Iceni Strings” (not so old but already 15 years...damn...)

- Donato Dozzy “Gol”

- Johannes Heil “The World”, for nostalgia!

Your projects for 2026?

I feel like 2026 is going to be a turning point, after a long period of questioning and self-doubt. I already have two EPs lined up: one coming out on Melifera Records and another that’s a collaboration between Graver Record and DEMENT3D. A new techno live set will be released for June 21th, and I’m working on two more live sets: one focused on more broken beats, in the Deep DnB style, and another Ambient Live with more original material! I also plan to expand my teaching activities: DJing, but especially production.

And finally, the current Clarence Rise in 3 words?

Subtlety, deepness, resilience - I asked my partner for this answer!

Interviewed by Sabrina Bouzidi / photo by  Vincent Zobler ©