Parfait, born Naïla Guiguet, got her start mixing at alternative LGBT+ community parties. Her career took a new turn when she became a resident of Possession. In 2019, she did a livestream for Boiler Room which marked the start of her international reputation. Parfait is now a key figure in the new generation of DJs who count, and who fight to defend the spirit of techno parties in free hangars and warehouses. In parallel to DJing, she directs and writes films, reflecting her multifaceted artistic interests, making her curious, precise and unique.
In September 2022 Parisian label and collective Possession returns to North America for a run of gigs where Parfait will play a center role, including our very own WORK x POSSESSION warehouse night featuring Sara Landry, Trym and Annika Wolfe on the lineup alongside Naïla.
We had the chance to talk to Parfait ahead of the tour, to get a feel for how her year is going, and what to expect when she heads stateside.
Hello Naïla, it’s a pleasure to talk to you today! You’ve been traveling constantly since the end of the lockdown, where are you today?
Hello, it’s a pleasure for me too. Yes it’s true, I’m traveling a lot right now, today I’m in Calvi, in Corsica, where I’m doing some final touches on a script with the director. The film will be shot in September around Calvi and we are adjusting it according to the scenery. I have a double life ahah.
Our readers may not know much about you, so let’s start there. Can you tell us a little bit about who you are, where you grew up and how your life path led you to electronic music?
My name is Naïla, I grew up in the countryside near Paris. I met electronic music when I was 18 years old, at a party in a Parisian club that has now closed and that was called Pulp. It was a lesbian club near the Rex. I had a musical and social revelation. I didn’t think that this kind of atmosphere existed. So much freedom and goodwill between people. I got hooked.
When did you discover techno in particular and what attracted you to it?
Since that time, I have not stopped being interested in electronic music and going out to clubs. I also started mixing and building my musical culture. What attracted me is the extreme precision that exists in tracks that seem to be free and sometimes “easy”. I mean, for someone who is not really interested in techno, it’s just noise, but it’s amazing how this musical genre is one of the richest, most diverse. There are a thousand possibilities. And what I like most of all is to make people dance, to give them pleasure.
At what point did you realize that being an artist was your calling?
Since I can remember, I think. I am also a writer and director. I did graphic design, studied literature and architecture, I’ve always been a creative person.
Who were the other early artists, or early parties/labs, that inspired you early in your career?
I was very influenced by Daft Punk, Aphex Twin, Kill the DJ, but also labels like Ninja Tunes, Thunderdrome or Bonzaï Records.
How would you describe your sound to someone who doesn’t know you as an artist yet?
I think the music I play is always danceable and groovy, then I have fun playing a lot of different styles, from hard to melodic. I love to follow my intuition and my energy of the moment, without ever forbidding myself anything…
Your name is obviously closely associated with POSSESSION, where you are resident? How did this relationship come about and what does it mean to you to be a resident of POSSESSION?
I’ve been in the Possession collective since the beginning. I created it with three other people and friends. We wanted to have an LGBTQ, techno party in Paris with a demanding program. At the beginning I was in charge of the line up and the visuals and quickly I became only the resident DJ. Now I’m still the resident dj, but I don’t play every month in Paris for the warm ups like I used to.
POSSESSION has obviously become one of the most sought after techno brands in the world. Why do you think this is the case?
I don’t know if it’s one of the most important brands, but I think what people have liked is that in addition to paying attention to the programming, we’ve always made sure to put the party first, and in that, the audience. We always wanted Possession nights to be free and fun. That people dance with a smile on their face.
You have now played in many countries in Europe, which cities have been your favorite gigs?
I’ve loved all my sets for Teletek, a UK collective that does amazing parties. I also have a huge memory of Possession at E11 in London. And even more recently, my set at Intercell Outdoor was amazing! The energy of the audience was crazy!
Which artists are you enjoying the most at the moment?
There are too many, I can’t name them all, I’d be afraid to forget ahah. But I have to give a special shout out to Charlie Sparks, my partner in crime.
You’re going on tour in the US in September. Are you looking forward to it? Is there a particular city you’re looking forward to seeing as a tourist?
I’m very excited!. I’m really looking forward to seeing Los Angeles. The movie city.
And as a DJ, is there a particular night you’re looking forward to playing?
I’m looking forward to playing for Possession festival in Paris on August 26th and 27th. The festival has been postponed for the past two years due to covid, I’m very excited to finally be able to play at this event which will be the biggest I’ve ever played so far!
What does Parfait have in store for the rest of 2022?
This US tour is probably the most exciting thing right now! But there are many other amazing things coming up. I feel very fortunate to be able to make a living out of my passion and meet passionate and exciting people every weekend.
Catch Parfait and in Los Angeles at the WORK x POSSESSION night on September 17th!
Connect with Parfait: Instagram | SoundCloud | Resident Advisor
