DongDong Day 4: Telepopmusik Talks Chinese Collaborations and New Live Visuals

DongDong Music Festival and Conference kicks off this Thursday, and day four of this diverse musical bonanaza will bring things to a climax with a performance by the legendary Telepopmusik. The French trio, who have sold over 500,000 records around the world, are on tour promoting their new album. Bassist Christophe Hetier was kind enough to answer a few questions (from an Air France flight it seems) about the group's musical tastes and their upcoming show.

You can read about the first two days and third day of DongDong on our blog and check out the festival's website for more on their events.

What’s the best word to describe your music?

Melancholia, 'cause we're very contemplative and our music needs time to be produced. It's a long process…

What do you think is the biggest misconception people have about your music?

Maybe that people think all our songs are dance songs, like our hit single "Breathe."

WATCH: Telepopmusik "Breathe"

Your tracks have been used in commercials. Are there any ads we would remember that feature a Telepopmusik song?

I'm answering this from an Air France Plane. They play our track, "The World Can Be Yours" before take off.

What band did you listen to most while recording your new album? Any influences we might recognize?

I don't listen to complete albums, just tracks that I play when I'm DJing – weird deep house tracks.

How do your performances differ from your recordings? Is there anything you strive to do differently when you play live?

We're playing with the audience – it's like a fourth member. That 's what makes the difference from our recordings.

What are one worst and one best experience you’ve had performing?

You'll want to forget the worst. It's not interesting 'cause there are so many good moments, like at Brixton Academy (London), playing bass on "Love Can Damage Your Health" in that beautiful, old venue.

WATCH: Telepopmusik "Love Can Damage your Health"

What do you hope the Beijing audience will take away from your performance? Do you have anything special planned?

We will play old songs 'cause memories are important, but also new songs from the upcoming album. There will also be new live visuals that we just tested in Paris last week.

What’s one non-music related thing you hope to do here?

Learn some Chinese jokes.

Many of your songs are collaborations with other artists. Are there any Chinese artists you would like to collaborate with?

We're also coming to meet new people, so we're open to new collaboration.

RELATED: Q&A with Dong Dong Music Conference Panelist Robb Spitzer

You’re at a jukebox: LCD Soundsystem or Daft Punk?

I will say LCD Soundsystem's  "Daftpunk is Playing at my House."

You’re buying vinyl: The Meters or James Brown?

James Brown, "Sex Machine."

What’s the first song you remember moving to?

The Beatles, "Love Love Me Do."

What’s one song you’re going to play that you think will really get the room pumping?

"Breathe."

Telepopmusik play Nov 10 at Yugong Yishan.

Photo: Mercurywheels.com

Email: nickrichards@thebeijinger.com
Weibo: @NickRichards尼克
Twitter: @nik_richards

More stories by this author here.