Hailing from the South of France, Jickow has become a fast-rising name within the dance music community, contributing heavily to the progression of the local scene in Marseille and Montpellier. Serving as a DJ, Producer, Art Director and managing booking agent, Jickow exists in the heart of nightlife and has gone on to perform at some of the most influential clubs the world has to offer. From the excitement of Kater Holzig in Berlin to the heat of Rachdingue in Catalonia, through to the electric atmosphere of the Jesus Club in Saint Petersburg, Jickow’s melodic-driven strain of techno is beloved by all.
Making the move to Brussels, Belgium, the French native launched the Hedonism Party Crew; an event concept that has since blossomed into a staple within Brussels' thriving club scene and extended its impact to Club Vaag in Antwerp and Rex Club in Paris. Inviting international artists like Oxia, Pleasurekraft, Olivier Huntemann, and Marc Houle, to name a few, the initiative has aided in building Jickow’s profile across the continent.
THE INTERVIEW
CR: Hello Celas, glad to have you on Canadianravers. How are you and where are you chatting from?
J: Hello! I'm doing well, thank you. I'm currently chatting from Brussels, Belgium and I am born in Marseille, France.
CR: You are a part of the ever-growing Electronic Dance Music scene, how has it helped you to hone your signature sound? were there any hurdles trying to figure out which sounds suits you?
J: Being a part of the Electronic Dance Music scene has been instrumental in shaping my signature sound. It has provided me with a platform to experiment and explore different genres and styles. Of course, there were hurdles along the way as I tried to find the sounds that truly resonated with me. Experiencing genres and trying to push boundaries and origins. It took time and experimentation to figure out what suits my artistic vision and honestly, I am still working on it.
CR: Your recent Melodic 2-Track EP, “Escapism / Echoes” is incredible, how did you find the inspiration for it?
J: Thank you for your kind words about my recent EP, "Escapism / Echoes." The inspiration for it came from my own personal experiences and emotions. "Escapism" reflects the desire to break free from the constraints of reality and find solace in music, while "Echoes" captures the haunting echoes of memories and emotions. This is mostly the basis for all the tracks I work on.
CR: Do you listen to your tracks repeatedly before releasing to see if anything is missing?
J: Not really. Expect recently while working on a specific remix that will be released as a free download quite soon, I am not someone who abuses the repeat button, especially with my own work. I love to play my tracks but not necessarily before the release. I don’t want to overthink everything as this is my main struggle, so I have decided to go as straightforward as possible.
CR: When you are on a tour and performing, Is there a ritual that you might have before performing at a show? Also, what is that one must have item on your rider in the Green Room?
J: New pair of socks (yeah, it sounds silly but there’s nothing better than a fresh pair of socks freshly unpacked. Regarding the item I always bring with me:
Music related; the RMX-1000
Non-Music related: my Lego collar
CR: Which subgenre do you feel doesn't get enough attention?
J: A genre between techno and rap music (Yeah, it sounds a bit silly).
CR: How is it running your own imprint ‘Olympe’, did you learn the ropes beforehand or was a complete learning experience?
J: Running my own imprint, Olympe has been a valuable learning experience. While I had some knowledge beforehand, it has been a continuous growth and adaptation journey. Managing the label allows me to curate and release music that aligns with my artistic vision. It also shows me that I have so much to learn still, especially the managing and marketing part, but I am working on it.
CR: What was the first thing you splurged on when you got your first big cheque as a DJ/Producer?
J: I don’t really remember; I am sure it was vinyl. But I do remember the last thing I buy with one of my royalties statements: the Roland TR-8-S.
CR: Has your schedule slowed down since becoming a father or do you maintain a good work-family balance?
J: Definitely slowed down, not only because of fatherhood but also gaining more responsibilities and customers at my day job. But fatherhood was the real game changer, it allows me to visualize and understand time differently. Now, I have to consider all the aspects of life before accepting a gig. Does it worth it or not regarding time/money & quality of life? It requires effective time management and prioritization, but it's incredibly fulfilling to have a supportive family alongside my music career. Especially now that my wife is deejaying as well and that my son is absolutely mad about music.
CR: What are some of the new projects that you are working on that our followers can know about?
J: A big big big free download is coming quite soon, alongside 3 or 4 releases until the end of the year. So the best way to be updated is to follow me on Instagram & Facebook.
LIGHTNING ROUND
1. Favourite Fast Food? Pizza
2. Go to meal when you’re sick? Raw meat, cheese & chicken curry (and a lot of other cheese)
3. Favourite drink to order? I’m fully sober so I would say now my drinking party is tonic.
4. First Rave as an attendee? I had 15 yo, it was a random free party in the south of France.
5. First celebrity crush? Emma Lee Button from Spice Girls.
6. Favourite comic book character? Donald Duck or Peter Griffin.
7. All-time favourite song? That’s a hard one. It’s not an all-time favourite but this song is a symbol of the musical universe that shaped me: Maxime Dangles - Deuxieme Voyage
8. Go to vacation spot? Gran Canaria.
9. What is your guilty pleasure? Listing Jul.
10. What is your hidden talent? I am a lyricist.
11. Which social platform do you use a lot? Twitter
Thank you for having me, it was nice discussing with you.
Be sure to follow his socials