Fresh from spinning the decks at menswear fashion week after parties, the dapper Parisian DJ Jérémie Khlat talks to Twin about all things music, plus offers up an exclusive summer mix to get us in the mood for the sun…

How and when did you get into deejaying?

I got into it years ago when I was the art director of Chacha Club in Paris. I was hanging around DJs and finishing late sets got me really into it. I then began to deejay a lot for fashion events and got to build my own DJ style. I became the main DJ and booker for Montana club 3 years ago, that’s when everything kicked off for me. I spinned around the world for the big fashion houses, also doing their sound design for catwalks. I’ve always loved music from being a kid. My family is very into music – my father is an opera musician – and I grew up in this world full of jazz and opera. This is mixed with my generation of music: old hip hop, good rock and pop music.

What is on your personal playlist at the moment?

I download lots of new music all the time – new remixes, covers, bands or albums – but to be honest, I’m usually more into old stuff like disco and rock n roll classics. I love the new Sky Ferreira songs at the moment. She’s pretty amazing and has her own soul, which I like and you can feel it in her work. I’m also really into the new Phoenix songs, they’re the best band ever to me.

Where are your favourite places to DJ?

I love Montana in Paris obviously, I ran that place and it’s where you could just feel free and have the best fun. But I’ve always loved deeyjaying in NYC, where I just recently moved to. Deejaying at Le Baron in NY is cool because the atmosphere can be close to the Paris clubs. I’m also really enjoying the Electric Room with fellow DJs Elle Dee and Kieren Taylor. That club is mostly about rock n’ roll and indie, which is definitely more my type.

What are the best secret hangouts in Paris?

If I told you then it wouldn’t be a secret anymore 😉 Stolly’s bar in the Marais is definitely the place to go, they have good rock n roll / punk playlist, the crowd is amazing, the bartender Louison is the sweetest; it’s like Cabin in NY. Re clubs its not a secret anymore…Montana to me is the perfect place to enjoy a night. The little bars are cool too, like Dirty Dicks in Pigalle (they have the best cocktails), Cafe de Flore in St Germain, Brasserie le Mansart in the 9e or the Le Carmen basement room which is run by my best friend & DJ partner Adrien Wend.

But Paris has a lot of great flat parties, that’s where the fun is at…

What is your guilty pleasure song?

My guilty pleasure songs are mostly the ones aren’t that ‘cool’ anymore but I loved during my teenage years, like the old Robyn song from 15 years ago, or some cheesy disco that always makes you want to dance like crazy. Saying that, I’m not really into commercial songs. I always love a good big new hip hop song, violent and aggressive, or very occasionally a pop song, but I couldn’t tell you, I still want people to hire me [laughs].

What’s coming up for you this summer?

Well, I just moved to NY recently, and now will be in between Paris and NY most of the time to deejay, doing sound design and event hosting. It’s been busy so far with Coachella and Cannes film festival where I have deejayed for many years now. This summer I’ll probably split my time between the Hamptons, Montauk and NY. I’ll go to Europe in August as usual, to see the family and rest in Corsica and the south of France.

 

NY Indie-Summer Twin Magazine mix by Jérémie Khlat

Feat. Joy Division, The Preatures, Cocovan, The Royal concept, Charli XCX, Fashions, NONONO, Phoenix, Trails and ways, DEJA, Paul Simon, Flight facilities, RAC, Sky Ferreira, Krystal Klear, Spies on Bikes, Carousel, Major Lazer, The Embassy, Kisses, Beach day, Active child, The Chromatics.