Q&A with Emeric Dally (DJ Rico from Paris), Spinning at Bar 721 May 22

Emeric Dally's only been living in Miami for six months. A Paris native (that's France, not Texas or Illinois), this Frenchman's already landed himself a residency at recently opened Bar 721. He'll be spinning Electro and House with quite a few DJs on Saturday, May 22, for KICK (b)ASS. He talks to the New Times about what made him move to the States, what influences him and what you can expect when you see Rico from Paris on the decks.

KICK (b)ASS Saturday, May 22, with DJs Eran Hersh, Darmon, Elle, Mike Miro, Denver B, Rico from Paris, and Aramis Vega. 10 p.m., no cover. Bar 721, 721 Lincoln Lane Miami Beach. Bar721.com

New Times: You say you're from Paris. What brings you to South Florida? Noticed you moved down here only 6 months ago. Why?

Emeric Dally: I moved out from France 3 years ago to conquer the new world! I was very involved in the music scene, but after close to 10 years of djing, I just wanted to experience something else, go to the U.S. to improve my English and earn that Degree I never had. I dropped out of High school in France, I was playing in a rave the day of my exams. My father happens to live in Stuart, so I could stay with him for a while, the change from Paris to Stuart was quite a shock, I'm still alive though.

What can fans expect from your set at Bar 721 on May 22? Any surprises?

Not really sure what time I'm going to play yet but there will be House & Electro with some funky and techy crazy vibes in it... Expect the unexpected!

What or whom have you been most influenced by to keep doing what you do?

Believe it or not, I learned to DJ watching my friend playing in a cave in Paris! Years later, here I was in a Techno Festival in Prague, Czech Republic, spinning before thousands of people. Another dear friend told me one day that he learned everything he knew from me. That's why I applied for that DJ teacher position, and got hired. What's particular about France is that we are influenced by the German Electro and the British Break-beat, since we're right in between those two countries. I had the chance to DJ several times with British DJ Matt Cantor aka the Freestylers. He used to open tours for Lenny Kravitz back in the day. Matt taught me how body language is vital in a show.

What band or musician would you say is most influencing you currently?

I'm glad you added the word "currently," because the list is really long. Definitely Major Lazer, they were headlining at Ultra. Their sound is simply out there and unique. On the rock & alternative side Australian Pendulum, Chase and Status, Friendly Fires, Paramore, and of course French band Phoenix! Not mentioning Lady Gaga... just kidding!