Photo courtesy of Mai Lê Ho
Imprints brings you weekly profiles of the most exciting independent record labels the world over, written by movers and shakers from within their own electronic music communities.Vibe: A community of electronic music addicts gathered around a passion for the beat, to be felt and danced to, from house to hip-hop, and techno to electronica.
Founded: April 2011
Location: Paris, France
Members: 5
Artists: 22
Number of Releases: 5
Social: Facebook, Bandcamp, SoundCloud, YouTubeParis is home to a burgeoning underground scene whose core members are changing the way young Parisians feel about club music, its history, its virtues and indeed, its vices. Beat X Changers sits at both the eye and the outskirts of this movement and from that dual position, is making waves at home and abroad. We spoke to their Community and Content Manager, Bertrand Le Masne, to learn more about what they're up to.THUMP: What's the Deal?
Bertrand Le Masne: Three friends decided to create a Facebook group in April 2011, after a night of "YouTube battle" (i.e. people taking turns sharing YouTube, SoundCloud, Bandcamp links). Initially, our aim was to avoid making one another's Facebook profiles a misery by posting dozens of links daily. But we've grown into a community whose goal is to give electronic music producers a space to share their passion and improve their talents through constructive criticism. We offer opportunities to release tracks, design artwork, play-out live, dance at parties, organize workshops and, above all, enjoy quality music.Where does the name Beat X Changers come from?
Our group began through the sharing of house, techno and hip-hop. That basis of the 'beat' had set the tone for the community. 'X Changers' stands for exchangers, people that share something.A Beat X designer told me recently that he mentally matches our name with an enormous snare hit… weird, but cool.Why did you decide to form the label?
When we realized the amount of talent amongst our bedroom producers, the decision came quite naturally. Practically all of our artists have had their first releases through BXC. This may sound disingenuous, but we've built the label for them. We want them to be able to focus on music while we deal with management, sales, communication and events.How would you describe the label's sound?
The sound is modeled on what the community shares. All of our artists are influenced by what they're listening to, and what they're listening to inevitably ends up within the community. There are two major 'sounds' prevalent in the group: a house/techno type and a beats/electronica type. The first passes through all of the subgenres of house and techno while the second originates from the sounds of instrumental hip-hop.Tell us about the scene in your hometown?
To quote Laurent Garnier, "We didn't have a techno revolution in France." We feel that this revolution is about to happen in France thanks to a new wave of event planners like Sonotown, Concrete, and the renewal of the legendary Rex Club.In the past, French artists have tended to go abroad to improve their fan base because French promoters weren't booking them. Things have been changing organically, there is an incredible number of young beat makers out there that meet mostly through the Internet. By themselves, they've managed to release albums and create collectives that organize parties. Cosmonostro (which is actually based in Lille) or Laruche Records are the kinds of labels that represent this trend. This is still a vague allusion, but you should take a look at Khryo, Mad Rey, Doc Mastermind, Sirkri, or Kid Atlaas.Have your releases been received as well as you'd hoped?
Our very first vinyl release, X_1's Just You EP. It was madness: we sold 300 copies in three weeks, and 100 more in two weeks! Levon Vincent, Leon Vynehall, DJ Jus-Ed, Nina Kraviz, Daniel Bell (DBX) and Art of Tones showed us spontaneous support, playing the tracks in their DJ sets. It was totally unexpected; we were observing the snowball effect, watching our first vinyl release in charts next to great artists we love.What makes your label different?
The fact that we're not just a label, we're a community. That gives us dual strengths.First, we developed the tone of the label naturally—it emerged from a community of electronic music fiends, which are always leaning towards avant-garde and high quality sound. As managing partners, we don't really direct in a traditional way; we give them the freedom to see their ideas through to the end and to push boundaries.Secondly, we have a community around us that likes and supports our releases. And this community is not a snobbish club; anyone looking to share his or her passion can join. That makes our artists and our parties really accessible. Our positivity helps us to gain interest.Which release would you recommend to introduce a new listener to your label?
Our first compilation, Beat X Changers LP, and the Level series. We made them as an introduction to our producers.What are your favorite tracks released on the label?
There's something about "Escaping Noises" and "Du Souffle" by X_1 (Just You EP). "Escaping Noises" is a very progressive rise, and I like the way it rouses an urge to dance.The first time I heard "L'Acte" by Fraktaleman (Beat X Changers LP), I was extremely moved. Goosebumps stayed for minutes, it blows me away."Dystopia" by Monomite (Level 1). This track is so dope, so much inspiration from Thundercat, Flying Lotus and Robert Glasper. It's like a piece of summer whenever you want it.How do you choose the artists that you work with?
We follow the activity in our Beat X Producers forum closely—that's where all of our artists come from. If a producer posts a dope original, we contact them, propose a spot on the next Level compilation and get ready for a live performance. Then we might start talking EPs if they're that deep into the production stages.What challenges do you face running the label?
We must find a way to be profitable but also keep our artistic approach—that's probably the crucial challenge: maintaining both our financial viability and artistic integrity.What's the next release on the label? How far ahead do you plan your releases?
For the moment, we just plan two to three months in advance, but our waiting list is increasing so we will probably need a little more time for the tightening schedule! The next release will be Beat X Changers Level 2 at the end of August.Related Articles:
Listen to Lone's Brand New Album, 'Reality Testing'
I'm the Drunk British Girl Who Went to Weather Festival in Paris
THUMPday Jams: Brenmar, Giraffage, Doorly and More
Founded: April 2011
Location: Paris, France
Members: 5
Artists: 22
Number of Releases: 5
Social: Facebook, Bandcamp, SoundCloud, YouTube
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Bertrand Le Masne: Three friends decided to create a Facebook group in April 2011, after a night of "YouTube battle" (i.e. people taking turns sharing YouTube, SoundCloud, Bandcamp links). Initially, our aim was to avoid making one another's Facebook profiles a misery by posting dozens of links daily. But we've grown into a community whose goal is to give electronic music producers a space to share their passion and improve their talents through constructive criticism. We offer opportunities to release tracks, design artwork, play-out live, dance at parties, organize workshops and, above all, enjoy quality music.Where does the name Beat X Changers come from?
Our group began through the sharing of house, techno and hip-hop. That basis of the 'beat' had set the tone for the community. 'X Changers' stands for exchangers, people that share something.A Beat X designer told me recently that he mentally matches our name with an enormous snare hit… weird, but cool.
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When we realized the amount of talent amongst our bedroom producers, the decision came quite naturally. Practically all of our artists have had their first releases through BXC. This may sound disingenuous, but we've built the label for them. We want them to be able to focus on music while we deal with management, sales, communication and events.How would you describe the label's sound?
The sound is modeled on what the community shares. All of our artists are influenced by what they're listening to, and what they're listening to inevitably ends up within the community. There are two major 'sounds' prevalent in the group: a house/techno type and a beats/electronica type. The first passes through all of the subgenres of house and techno while the second originates from the sounds of instrumental hip-hop.Tell us about the scene in your hometown?
To quote Laurent Garnier, "We didn't have a techno revolution in France." We feel that this revolution is about to happen in France thanks to a new wave of event planners like Sonotown, Concrete, and the renewal of the legendary Rex Club.In the past, French artists have tended to go abroad to improve their fan base because French promoters weren't booking them. Things have been changing organically, there is an incredible number of young beat makers out there that meet mostly through the Internet. By themselves, they've managed to release albums and create collectives that organize parties. Cosmonostro (which is actually based in Lille) or Laruche Records are the kinds of labels that represent this trend. This is still a vague allusion, but you should take a look at Khryo, Mad Rey, Doc Mastermind, Sirkri, or Kid Atlaas.
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Our very first vinyl release, X_1's Just You EP. It was madness: we sold 300 copies in three weeks, and 100 more in two weeks! Levon Vincent, Leon Vynehall, DJ Jus-Ed, Nina Kraviz, Daniel Bell (DBX) and Art of Tones showed us spontaneous support, playing the tracks in their DJ sets. It was totally unexpected; we were observing the snowball effect, watching our first vinyl release in charts next to great artists we love.What makes your label different?
The fact that we're not just a label, we're a community. That gives us dual strengths.First, we developed the tone of the label naturally—it emerged from a community of electronic music fiends, which are always leaning towards avant-garde and high quality sound. As managing partners, we don't really direct in a traditional way; we give them the freedom to see their ideas through to the end and to push boundaries.Secondly, we have a community around us that likes and supports our releases. And this community is not a snobbish club; anyone looking to share his or her passion can join. That makes our artists and our parties really accessible. Our positivity helps us to gain interest.Which release would you recommend to introduce a new listener to your label?
Our first compilation, Beat X Changers LP, and the Level series. We made them as an introduction to our producers.What are your favorite tracks released on the label?
There's something about "Escaping Noises" and "Du Souffle" by X_1 (Just You EP). "Escaping Noises" is a very progressive rise, and I like the way it rouses an urge to dance.
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We follow the activity in our Beat X Producers forum closely—that's where all of our artists come from. If a producer posts a dope original, we contact them, propose a spot on the next Level compilation and get ready for a live performance. Then we might start talking EPs if they're that deep into the production stages.What challenges do you face running the label?
We must find a way to be profitable but also keep our artistic approach—that's probably the crucial challenge: maintaining both our financial viability and artistic integrity.What's the next release on the label? How far ahead do you plan your releases?
For the moment, we just plan two to three months in advance, but our waiting list is increasing so we will probably need a little more time for the tightening schedule! The next release will be Beat X Changers Level 2 at the end of August.Related Articles:
Listen to Lone's Brand New Album, 'Reality Testing'
I'm the Drunk British Girl Who Went to Weather Festival in Paris
THUMPday Jams: Brenmar, Giraffage, Doorly and More