L’Etranger – translated to “The Outsider” – relates to Ben Thomas’ musical approaches as an Englishman producing French inspired house music. His latest EP For The Floor is a captivating four-track EP that blends filtered French house with disco samples, resulting in an energetic and unpredictable musical journey.
Hi, thank you for taking the time to chat with us today! How has the year been treating you so far?
Hi there! My pleasure — thank you for having me!
2023 has been a super productive year for me so far. I’ve been collaborating with several extremely talented artists and songwriters. I also relocated my studio back in May. Busy busy!
Where do you think the impulse to create music comes from for you?
Good question. Since I was little I’ve always loved making sounds and writing little melodies even before I could play any instruments. I think my first musical memory was overdubbing myself using my Fisher Price cassette deck and playing a Casio keyboard along to a part I’d just recorded on another cassette on my parent’s Hifi centre. I just love having the ability to hear back something a piece I’ve written. Even now that novelty rarely wears off.
Your artist name translates to ‘The Outsider’… is that how you feel, musically speaking?
Only in the sense that the majority of artists creating the French Touch style were historically French. I chose the name L’Étranger because I’m an Englishman making primarily French House music.
What is it specifically about French house that appeals to you?
Growing up in the late 90s tracks like “Music Sounds Better With You” by Stardust and later “Lady (Hear Me Tonight)” by Modjo dominated mainstream radio. Or at least that’s how I remember. I then rediscovered these tracks as a teenager and fell in love with the genre. I guess I’m trying to recapture that nostalgia of my childhood by creating French House.
Can you remember the state of mind you were in when you sat down to create your new single Sagittarius?
A very positive one! I’d just gotten back from a writing session down in London and had been listening to a load of DJ Tonka tunes on the way back on the train.I wanted to try and emulate the crisp 909 hi-hats and time-stretched vocal samples he uses. The result is an off the wall piece of quirky filter house.
This is the latest single from your upcoming EP… what can we expect with this one?
“For The Floor” is an uptempo four track EP made for the dance floor. I wanted to make something gritty and raw but upbeat and shiny at the same time.Expect jubilant filter house, pumping 909 drums and the odd screeching synthesiser!
Tell us about your current studio set up – any particular bits of go-to kit you find yourself returning to?
On this record instrument-wise I used a Fender Precision bass on nearly every track, an Oberheim Matrix 6, a Minimoog Model D and a Fender Rhodes. For the drums I used a Behringer RD8 and an RD9.To get that pumping French House sound I’m mixing into an Alesis 3630 and the chewy filter sweeps are coming from an Electrix Filter Queen. The phaser and sample degradation are all done in the box using plug-ins.
You’ve remixed an amazing array of artists in your time – is there one that you’re especially proud of?
I recently remixed an LA based artist called SA-20. He’s a fantastic producer and has a great voice. We’re both big fans of Ed Banger artist SebastiAn and he let me go full 2007-era Sebo on the remix. It was a lot of fun to revisit that electro / blog-haus style. Keep an eye out on streaming platforms for SA-20’s forthcoming album!
Which artists are currently exciting or inspiring you?
As mentioned I’m a huge DJ Tonka fan. He’s a huge influence on me. Also, dJJ is an incredible producer. I’ve known him since he was releasing music as Vanguard and he’s got a totally unique sound. Raw and yet warm and nostalgic. Another friend of mine Dreamtrak is a big inspiration. I love his sound design and he’s an extremely talented songwriter.
What should we expect from you for the rest of 2023?
I’ve been lucky enough to collaborate on a number of songs already this year with Dreamtrak in the studio. He actually performed piano and keyboards on my new single “Sagittarius”. We’ve got a few tracks in the works and I’m really looking forward to sharing them.
I release lo-fi hiphop under a few different monikers via Apple’s label PLATOON. I’ll be dropping lots of music under my Thomorrow, mœbius and Memory Phoam projects later this year.
I’ll also be releasing a follow-up single under my UKG alias Tom Fool via my Thomorrow Records imprint.
Sagittarius is out now. For The Floor EP lands 25 August