Smelly Feet Records Is A Music Platform Which Showcases Both Established And Up & Coming Artists.
No Specific Genre, Just Real Underground Music.
Smelly Feet Records Is A Music Platform Which Showcases Both Established And Up & Coming Artists.
No Specific Genre, Just Real Underground Music.
Interview
Monkey Coops
Name : Kevin Zimmermann
Country : France City : Marseille
Age : 24 Sex : Male Zodiac : Cancer
Type : Exclusive Mix
Genre : Minimal House / Techno
Name : Fitia TheBeez
Country : France City : Marseille
Age : 25 Sex : Male Zodiac : Aquarius
Hardware : MPC 5000
Software : Ableton / Logic
Interview
Smelly Feet Records: Where did the name Monkey Coops come from?
Monkey Coops: The name “Monkey Coops” is pretty simple. “Monkey” reflects our personality and our physiology (we are both not very strong). I remember my mother calling me a monkey because i was always all over the place, running everywhere... I never stayed in the same place. It is still the same case to this day for both of us. Also, we like going out and partying in different places. To be honest, we seldom relax or rest, unless we are at the studio. That is the only place we are able to sit for hours.
“Coops” is for the cooperation between two monkeys, creating an exotic mix which is reflected in the form of music.
SFR: We notice that Monkey Coops is made up of two people, how did this duo form?
MC: Exactly, we are two. There is Kevin, the little white boy to your left, and Fitia, the black. We met many times through common friends and at a number of festivals and events. Eventually, we started working together. This goes back about six years to the years of 2008/2009. At the time, we each had been doing our own thing on the side, and soon, after some time and through the exchange of ideas, we told each other, 'why not work together?' It was 2012 when we started producing our first tracks. At this point, Kevin left to work as a chef at a ski resort for the winter season. It was not until April 2013, upon his return, that we shut ourselves in for one month and a half at his place, and came out with our first EP in the month of June, that same year. June 2013 is when Monkey Coops was officially born! Little by little, we created our own universe by bringing together our own mixing styles. This is a job we do everyday, and each day we learn more and more.
"The goal is not to sound like everyone else, but it's evident that our inspiration comes from what we see and hear. We produce and play what we love."
SFR: Other than your specific genre, how do you feel you differ from other DJ’s / Producers in France?
MC: We can't really speak of a difference. We think that each artist, DJ or producer has his or her own identity, even if there are similarities in their work or in their style. The goal is not to sound like everyone else, but it's evident that our inspiration comes from what we see and hear. We produce and play what we love. The key words are: sharing and pleasure, with respect...while partying (haha).
SFR: Before Monkey Coops was formed, what solo projects were you involved with?
MC: Before Monkey Coops was formed, we had a different way of doing things.
Kevin: Before all this, I was a cook. So in a way, I was already a DJ...I was mixing ingredients, tastes and flavors. From a musical standpoint, it was about learning and discovery. I also spun records on a few nights in bars with my friends.
Fitia: I discovered electronic music pretty late in life, at about 20 years of age. My mother turned me on to piano and guitar, which i played for 2-3 years while in college, and then i dropped it (my fingers hurt too much). My mom then offered to buy me a drum set, which I began to play, and continued to play for over six years. I was a drummer for a rock band in college for a group that was called, “Ellypsis.” I was also a hip hop dancer, which directed me into producing minimalistic hip-hop. I took this time to work with a few friends who rapped and sang. There is a sub-genre in hip-hop which is called “House Dance”, which I especially like. While in the process of learning all of these skills, I began re-writing my own compositions.
"“Coops” is for the cooperation between two monkeys, creating an exotic mix which is reflected in the form of music."
SFR: We selected Monkey Coops for our New Years Mix because of the upbeat and fun style of music that you play. How will you be celebrating New Years in your hometown?
MC: “Upbeat and fun style?” That's cool to hear guys. That is the message that we try to deliver through our productions and our sets. From where we stand, I think that we have spent a pretty regular NYE like everybody else: a simple meal between friends, while spinning some records “calmly”...hahaha!!!
"Little by little, we created our own universe by bringing together our own mixing styles. This is a job we do everyday, and each day we learn more and more."
SFR: Any special goals that you have for 2015 that you would like people to know about?
MC: 2015 is a new year and will bring with it new challenges, new collaborations, with artists that we adore both as musicians and as friends.
Since August 2014, we have been associated with our 'daddy bear', Damien Raud, in creating the DRMC Soundsystem, and launched a new monthly event at Baby Club in Marseille. Here, we discover passionate amateurs and emerging artists, who make our heart beat quicker. The cream has since risen to the top, and our closing of 2014 was perfect! Again we would like to thank all the people that have been faithful to us and have given us their trust!
On a personal note, we are leaning towards releasing a few vinyls this year. It is important for us to release our music in this way. It represents a side that is both precious and exclusive.
While keeping a minimalist spirit, we also like supporting a more dancefloor type of sound, which is a little more accessible. Anyway, you will see for your yourselves! Stay tuned!
SFR: If aliens landed in front of you, and offered you a trip back home with them, what 5 tracks would you mix on the mother ship?
MC: HAHAHA!!! Yo man, that is the funniest shit that could ever happen. So i guess we would play 5 tracks each, meaning 10 tracks in total, just to make the trip last longer.
Daft Punk - Revolution 909
Stardust - Music Sounds Better with you
Delano Smith - Feel this (odyssey version)
Digitaline - Africa
St Germain - Alabama blues (1965 mix)
NTFO meets Rhadow - Hype !
Armand Van Helden - The Funk Phenomena
Ralphi Rosario ft. Donna Blakely - Take Me up ( Fito Edit )
Kris Wadsworth - 333b
Nail - Spines
Guys, if one day you launch a party with alien in a spaceship, please, don't forget us!
SFR: Tell us about this mix you made for us. Where did you get your inspiration? Is there anything special you want the audience to know?
MC: It is a mix that we have recorded in our studio with 2 CDJ's, 2 Vinyl Turntables, a little green stick and 2 beers. It reflects our constant search, our long hours of listening, and our beautiful discoveries. We hope that you will enjoy :)
"Before all this, I was a cook. So in a way, I was already a DJ...I was mixing ingredients, tastes and flavors.
"I was a drummer for a rock band in college for a group that was called, “Ellypsis.” I was also a hip hop dancer..."
SFR: Tell us about your club residencies. How have they helped you excel as both artists and as people?
MC: We are known as the residents - “Joker” (that is how they call us in the south), of Spartacus club, since September of 2013. This residency has overjoyed us and helped us evolve as human beings. As artists, we have had the chance to play alongside some great names in the electronic music scene, and as a result, we have met, exchanged, and shared some great musical moments with many of these artists. We are really very lucky and appreciative, and we do not forget all the people, near or far, that have allowed us to reach this resident status in a club as reputable as the one to which we belong. The sound system, the weekly booking, the ambience, the regulars and the staff...are the bomb!!!