Alan X talks to DJ Fredi Dimanche…
Why did you become a DJ?
As a three year old, my mum remembers me locking myself in for hours listening to French disco! My first professional DJ gig was at SIN [on Tottenham Court Road, now demolished for Crossrail] playing French pop and then R’n’B five years ago.
Who are your DJ and producer idols?
Mark Knight and DJ Chus as producers. I also liked the early stuff from Swedish House Mafia. As an artist Michael Jackson is perfection. On the London gay scene, my favourite DJ is Steve Pitron and for funky house, Sharp Boys are the best.
You started playing R&B but now play house – what are the main differences for you?
In house music you need to keep the beats and the energy from one song to the other, in R’n’B you can chop and break more.
How did you come to play at Profile and Barcode?
My friend Patrick Lilley introduced me to the managers of these places. After trials they liked the music and then let me play there regularly. For Lo-Profile, the Gigolo team offered me the gig after listening to my podcast. I also played at the Box in Covent Garden before it closed; I just went up to the owner Frank and told him I wanted to experiment with music and video with my friend and he let us do it. After one night of trial we were there every week!
You were also involved with Queer Nation. What is your first experience of that club?
I was coming to London as a visitor and a friend took me there. Then they asked me to model for them so I started to be on their flyers for a while and then worked on the door. Jeffrey Hinton was a big inspiration for me to become a DJ.
Do you only work as a DJ?
I work on and off part-time in computing and new technologies, but most of the time I travel in Europe and the Middle East where I am lucky enough to have friends to stay with and who are very supportive of my music career.
Is DJing mainly about your love for the music?
My ultimate goal is to make music and being a DJ is a great way to understand music and what appeals to people. The real achievement is to play your own music to a crowd.
On that note, you produce music yourself…
Yes I do, I finished a few tracks and I have even made a music video for one of them! But it is not exactly what I want to produce now. On my latest podcast ‘Stronger’ I mix Adele and Beyoncé against instrumental house tracks.
Tell us about your sound engineering and production classes…
It is very productive and you meet great people. It’s very macho with few gay people – but most of the boys are very hot!
So what kind of production can we expect from you?
Vocals layered on minimal house, twisted in a French way i.e. seasoned with disco, funk and blues samples.
What artists would you like to work with in the Studio?
I love female vocalists: Nadia Ali and Julie McKnight are great at the moment. I always liked Whitney Houston, Shirley Bassey, Aretha Franklin and Jocelyn Brown.
How was your experience of playing at Brighton and Soho Pride?
It was the best experience. I love playing daytime and outdoor, this is when we have the best connection with the crowd.
Is it true you DJed wearing only a towel when you played at Sweatbox?
Yes! It is a sauna and it was hot – we also had a tequila boy who was wearing nothing but a shots belt! LOL
Fredi’s Top 5 Tracks of 2011
‘Keep On Jumping’ – Joey Negro & Z factor (Luigi Rocca Remix)
‘You’ve Got The Love’ – Mark Knight
‘I Really Want To Say’ – Etienne Ozborne
‘Pressure’ – Nadia Ali
‘Stronger’ – Erick Morillo
