Frenchman Norman Doray plays with the big boys. Coming straight from Ibiza where he hit up the Swedish House Mafia's Masquerade Motel, Mr. Doray is dropping into Arkadia at the Fontainebleau this Thursday for the weekly Subliminal Sessions party.
Co-producer of "Chase The Sun", last summer's epic track that's been ripped in virtually every big-room DJ set ever since, Doray has just released another Beatport charter last week. And October brings a first for Norman with the drop of his debut two-disc compilation Strictly Ibiza to Amsterdam that offers some disco, funk, and club hits.
Crossfade got to shoot Doray some Qs about all his recent work, and he hit us back with his As.
Crossfade: You're coming to Miami straight from Ibiza, and we'd love to believe we have some things in common with that famed city. Do we?
Norman Doray: Yeah, you're right. You have some similarities: sun, girls, money, and clubs. But it's two completely different cultures. Ibiza is way more European with wild landscapes and a bit of farniente [Note: Crossfade had to look this word up. French to English dictionary says "lazing about."] and Miami is all about America.
How did you go about splitting your latest compilation, Strictly Ibiza to Amsterdam, into "Day" and "Night" CDs?
I wanted to do two different CDs to show the people two sides of me. One side, "Day," is more based on funk groove and disco vibes, which are my roots. The other CD, "Night," is more of what I play all around the world in clubs -- more big room and progressive sounds. I love both of them!
The compilation features some of the biggest names in house, like
Erick Morillo, as well as a lot of upcoming artists, like Sebjack. How did you decide which songs and artists to feature?
To be honest, it's not about the names here in the compilation. It was more about the tracks. If the tracks are good and I feel them, I wanted to put them in the compilation. And it's even better if we have young artists like Sebjack or Sebastien Drums alongside legends like Erick Morillo or Todd Terry.
It seems to me like disco house has been making a comeback. What's your take on it?
I think you are right, but in a different way. Clearing a sample is way harder nowadays. So it's more about cutting the disco sound and mixing it with more progressive and clubby elements. I really like it!
You've had some awesome collaborations in your career, like a recent one with David Tort. Are these productions done by sending tracks back and forth online? Or do you ever get together with your colleagues to produce?
No, I never do tracks via the Internet. I really prefer to be in the studio with my friend and exchange the ideas straight. I think that is way better for the track and the atmosphere in it.
What was the idea or inspiration behind your latest release, "Kalifornia"?
Why is it spelled with a K?
The inspiration was to do like a tribute to my roots and where I come from, France. With all the French touch heritage we have in Cali, I wanted to call
this track "Kalifornia" because I love this place. It may be one of the best in the
world. I thought it was funnier to spell it with a K than with a C.
What was the music scene like growing up in France?
It was so good: Daft Punk, Cassius, Phoenix, and more. It was a new thing and everyone was excited about it. Clubs were packed and there was a big energy.
It's a bit different now.
When you're not touring or making music, what else do you spend your time on? Do you have any interests people might not know about?
Yeah, I love spending time with my girl, friends, and family. I also love sports and eating great food. Everything is simple but so good.
Norman Doray. Thursday, September 15. Arkadia, 4441 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. The party starts at 11 p.m. and tickets cost $30 plus fees via wantickets.com. Visit arkadiamiami.com.
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