Hailing from Grenoble, France, OXIA is one of the most respected DJs and producers on the international house and techno circuit, with a career spanning over twenty years, countless releases and multiple world tours. On top of an impressive list of remixes and releases on respected imprints such as Bedrock, Sapiens, REDIMENSION, 8bit, Hot Creations, Saved and Knee Deep in Sound to name just a few, he also fronts his own label, Diversions Music, alongside long-time friend and label partner Nicolas Masseyeff.
Following a huge contribution to Joseph Capriati’s Metamorfosi Remix album back in April, OXIA now releases his next huge cut “Shadows” on Lee Burridge’s inimitable All Day I Dream imprint as part of their huge Summer Sampler
Hey Olivier, thanks for taking the time to speak to us. All good in your world right now?
You’re welcome, it’s a pleasure.
I doing fine, even though it’s still a bit of a special time with the pandemic not being over yet.
Where in the world are you answering this interview from?
I’m currently at home, in my hometown Grenoble – France.
How have the last 18 months been for you? Where did you spend lockdown and how did you keep busy and motivated?
It has not been easy with the confinements, the curfews…Now, to be honest, at first it felt good to pause from touring…but we didn’t think it would be for such a long time.
So I was able to take some time for myself, no stress, and taking care of things I had left aside due to lack of time for e.g. works at my flat. I also watched a lot of movies, and of course made more music. I actually started working on a new album; this kept me positive and motivated.
We understand you have just released a brand new record on Lee Burridge’s All Day I Dream label. Can you tell us a little bit about the record?
It’s one track only which will appear on ADID’s Summer Sampler. It surprises a lot of people because the track is quite different from what I’ve done the last few years. It’s a pretty deep and rather calm track, which is actually a style I like a lot. I composed this track “Shadows” with my longtime friend, Yannick Baudino, with whom I’ve already released an EP on Saved a few years ago.
How did that come about? Have you released on ADID before?
No, I have never released anything on ADID. When Yannick & I finished this track, we immediately thought of ADID as it’s completely in the spirit of the label. We sent it to Lee and he immediately decided to include it in the summer sampler. We’re very happy about this, ADID is really a good label.
We saw a picture of you in the studio recently with your long-time friend and label partner Nicolas Masseyeff. Can we expect some new music coming soon from you two?
Yes, I recently spent a few days at his home on the French Riviera. I go there quite regularly, because we often do the mix down of my tracks together at his studio. It’s better to have 4 ears for that. I’m also the godfather of his son and this also allows me to see him. It’s always a lot of fun. So yes we have also been working in the studio on a new track, but nothing finished yet. We will continue and finalize as soon as possible.
How is Diversions going? Any releases coming up between now and the end of the year we should keep in mind
Our label is going pretty well. Though this year we’ve only released one EP so far (from Quenum). There will be a few new releases before the end of the year. An EP by Colombian Julian Millan with a remix by myself, an EP by myself including remixes. And we also have plans to make remixes of “Connivence”, one of the tracks of Nicolas Masseyeff’s and my first EP on Diversions, though this will only be for 2022.
Courtesy of Pascale Cholette
If you could share a studio session with any other artist in the world, who would you pick and why?
Honestly, it’s too complicated to choose. There would be many and not only related to electronic music. There will be producers, musicians, singers. But I really cannot give any names, I can’t choose, sorry.
“It’s pretty deep and rather calm track, which is actually a style I like a lot.”
OXIA says of his track “Shadows”
If you could play b2b with anyone in the world, who would you choose?
It’s a bit like the previous question…maybe a bit easier because it’s limited to DJs only. Well, the first artist, without thinking too much about it, would be Laurent Garnier. Actually, a few years ago, we did a B2B2B: Laurent, Agoria and I. It was great fun! Some other artists I think about are maybe Seth Troxler, Hot Since 82…
What else do you have going on between now and the end of the year?
I will continue to work on my album, and probably on another EP.
Thanks for your time Olivier, and all the best for the rest of 2021 and beyond!
Thanks a lot, same for you, take care.
