M.A.D.E.S. is Frech composer Remi Buriez.

4/17/2018  – Synthwave music goes by many different labels; darksynth, Outrun, and Vaporwave to name a few.  As with any genre of music, when the style grows in popularity, unfortunately the product begins to sound the same.  Less inspired musicians borrow heavily from each other in a kind of musical incest, creating stagnant pools of musical cess.  But there is hope, and many in the synthwave scene continually work to evolve the music.

French composer Remi Buriez, aka M.A.D.E.S., is one such individual.  Firmly rooted in the traditional school of acoustic instruments, melody and harmony, he has chosen to explore deeper into the electronic neon sounds of synthwave.  The result of his hard work and dedication is debut album on Jet Set Trash records.  Busy supporting the album with a new music creepy video for the single Nightkiller, and a live performance tour, Buriez took a moment to chat with Slickster Magazine.  FFO of Synthwave.

#synthwave

Slickster: We admit, we’re lazy.  Can you tell us what the acronym M.A.D.E.S means?
M.A.D.E.S. –  Make a different electronic sound.

Slickster: “Motor” is your debut LP on JST Records (Jet Set Trash).  How did the album come to fruition and when did you sign the deal with JST?
M.A.D.E.S. – I started working on the LP in 2016. I took my time to realize this LP. The process lasted about 1 year and a half and I worked on it when I had time. At the beginning I did not really think about releasing an LP, I just composed the music with my feeling and it was nice like that. After that, I sent the tracks to my label (JST Records) and that’s when they suggested to come up with an LP so we worked together to make this LP happen.

Slickster: Other than programming synths and drum machines, do you play any other instruments?
M.A.D.E.S. – Yes, I play both the guitar and piano.

Slickster: You are based out of the scenic Lille, France. It is well known that France has an affinity for the arts, but in one area it stands out.  France has always been at the vanguard of electronic music development. Why, in your opinion, do you think this is?
M.A.D.E.S. – I do not really know why France is linked so much to Electronic music. It’s true that we have had some great artists like Justice (and the rest of the Ed Banger crew), Daft Punk, Jean Michelle Jarre, Laurent Garnier, Kavinsky, and others come out of France so I think that must be the reason why.

Slickster: Synthwave has taken on a truly international following.  Artists across Europe and North America are sharing their ideas and collaborating. Do you have any theories as to why this is happening?
M.A.D.E.S. – It’s pretty hard to explain that in my opinion. I think there is some form of nostalgia in this scene. People want to go back to the source of things, at the beginning of the great synths and make something new, something fresh.

Slickster: Snythwave as a genre and its sub genres (Vaporwave, Outrun, Darksynth, etc.) seems to be the perfect fit for movie and video game soundtracks.  Have you done any work with projects like this?  If no, are there any plans to team up with game developers or film makers on the horizon?
M.A.D.E.S. – I love listening to movie soundtracks. It’s a big part of me and a big source of inspiration. I have already done some music in that spirit but it was for my own pleasure… So no projects of this nature at this time but I would definitely love to give it a try!

Slickster: Let’s talk about personal musical development for a moment.  Many of our readers are creative and read the interviews with musicians, trying to improve their own musical skills.  What advice can you give to the readers of Slickster Magazine who might be interested in getting involved in electronic music?
M.A.D.E.S. – Well, in my opinion, music creation requires a lot of “FOOD “. The music and in general your life, environment and experiences are the biggest source of inspiration you can have.

Slickster: In your album description of “Motor” you write, “…prepare for an action packed album full of thrills, suspense, murder and high speed car chases. From palm trees to muscle cars and evil supernatural things, ‘Motor’ has got it all and is coming at you at 66.6 miles per hour.”   All of this sounds great and very normative in the genre of Synthwave, but you seem to omit one thing… hot babes.  Was this omission internally left out, and why?
M.A.D.E.S. – It’s true. We do not have any hot babes in this project at all. To be honest I had never thought of that before! (lol)

Slickster:  Do you think more Synthwave music needs to be tailored to a live audience?  Do fans at your shows stand on the floor, stoned out of their minds, just absorbing the sounds, or do they get into the music and dance around?
M.A.D.E.S. – Synthwave music is an experience, a journey. It’s a new scene and fans react each in their own way depending on their music background I suppose, which is a good thing. I think this style will evolve even more in time. We will have to wait and see… ☺

Slickster: Just curious.  At the live shows is the audience mostly young men, or do some women attend the concerts as well?
M.A.D.E.S. – In my last show in Paris the audience was very diverse. Men and women, Metalheads and Goths, you name it. But it was a very nice atmosphere overall and that’s what matters most!

Slickster:  Remi, thanks for taking the time to talk to us about “Motor”. What message do you feel is the MOST important message you can share with the world?
M.A.D.E.S. – Love each other and keep rocking (to Synthwave)! \m/