Whenever you see “Fred Falke remix” attached to a track, you can be sure that it’s gonna be good. If I could write a love letter to Fred, it would look something like this. Falke has been called the French house remix king and it’s a title that shouldn’t be taken lightly and is definitely more than well-deserved. With a career spanning more than two decades, Falke has remixed for everyone from Annie to Erlend Øyé to Ke$ha and has teamed up with heavy-hitting producers like Alan Braxe and Kris Menace. Falke is one of my music idols so you can hardly believe my excitement (insert girlish squealing) when I had the unique opportunity to chat with him and pick his brain. A fifteen minute interview turned into an hour and…

STREAM: The Whitest Boy Alive – “Golden Cage (Fred Falke Remix)”

Fancy Nancy: Fred Falke is synonymous with…

Fred Falke: …disco house.

FN: If you could live in one city for the rest of your life it would be…

FF: Well based on my recent experience I would say Vegas. I just came back from Vegas and it was awesome so why not?

FN: Drink of choice?

FF: Whiskey sour.

FN: Favorite song right now is…

FF: Right now…well you would never see my iTunes – there’s like a million songs on there and I always have it on shuffle. But to be honest, I have very average taste. I listen to lots of mainstream radio and I quite like it…I would say Katy Perry though.

FN: Favorite Katy Perry song?

FF: I think ‘Last Friday Night’ – it’s a great song, Even as a producer and writer it’s a great song.

FN: When you’re selecting tracks and artists to do a remix for, is it because that artist approaches you or because you like the track and/or want to work with the artist?

FF: The artist always approaches me for remixes. It’s a pretty basic process for me. I listen to the track and if I think that I can bring something to it with my remix, then I do it.

FN: What’s your favorite remix that you’ve done?

FF: I always try to do the best every time so if I have to pick one, it’s very unfair cause on every remix I put all my heart in it. In order to be creative I have to be excited about the project. The ‘Golden Cage’ remix for me was a big turning point. I really loved it and remember when I did it. The label gave me total freedom with the track and I have good memories of making that remix and it happened to be very successful as well.

FN: When you’re working on a remix, is there a back and forth between you and the artist giving feedback? What’s that process like?

FF: Well this might happen but most of the time I get a brief from the label that provides a frame and I just try to work within that.

FN: Moving from remixes to producing…you have an album coming out later this year, ‘Part IV.’ What inspired the name?

FF: Well it’s the fourth release I’ve done on Kris Menace’s label, Work It Baby. I call it Part IV because there are new tracks and some older ones, kind of like a collection. A lot people have come up to me before and said “Omega Man, I love that track!” Unfortunately, I can’t find it cause it was released on vinyl so I was thinking ok we should put everything together so that when people love my music they can have it.

FN: How would you say making music for you has changed? How have your tastes changed?

FF: When you’re making music you’re influenced by all the things you’re listening to everyday. I don’t see the change coming, it’s a natural progression. I’m never thinking “oh I need to be like this on the next track.’ I just make music I love.

FN: Are there any artists that you particularly admire?

FF: Yeah of course a lot. It’s important to be creative to have some masters that you’re digging the work of. You need to admire people to have passion.

FN: Do you have a favorite band of all time?

FF: (laughs) Tough question. Just one out of a million?

FN: Well if you were stuck on an island with one album it would be…

FF: I think I would get Thriller. I mean, it’s a masterpiece. This album features a number of hits that are incredible and they sound as good now as they did when they were first released. I’ve never been bored with this album and I could listen to it again and again.

FN: As you mentioned earlier, you’re working with Kris Menace on your album, Part IV. What’s your relationship like with Kris?

FF: It’s very friendly. Kris offered to release my first release on his label and he’s a very cool guy and very talented producer as well. We get along well and it happened organically. I’ve released everything since with Kris.

FN: Have you ever thought about starting your own label?

FF: I’ve thought about it but I don’t think I would handle it very well. I’m on tour now and heading back to the studio on Monday and I still want to have a social life as well. So managing a label on top of that..

FN: You started off as a bass player, is there a chance you’d start a Fred Falke band?

FF: I’d love to but it’s just a matter of time again. It’s just like with remixes, production, whatever I do I want to do the best. I never want to do something halfway. Me and my management have been thinking about putting together a band, but it needs to be done properly. In a perfect world, if I could get 48 days and a clone to help me, I’d love to get a band together.

FN: On Part IV, do you have a favorite track?

FF: Memories. It’s a tribute to Vangelis. Sounds like his work on the Blade Runner soundtrack cause that soundtrack had a huge impact on me even before I started to make music. It’ just perfect and I wanted to make a track that really paid tribute to him. It’s difficult for me to listen to my own work but this track I can listen to…I listen to it sometimes.

FN: Is there anyone in particular that you would like to work with in the future?

FF: Everyone.

FN: Katy Perry perhaps?

FF: Yeah that would be awesome. Katy, this message is for you.