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BOB SINCLAR

DJ & Music Producer  |  Paris & Los Angeles

What is your secret for being able to maintain the lifestyle of an international DJ?

CLF:  Well, it's true ... I'm constantly travelling around the world, dealing with jet lag and very little sleep! So for me, having a healthy lifestyle, diet and practicing sport is really important in my daily life. I'm originally from Paris but am now based in Los Angeles, which is my new home with my family. When I arrive back in L.A, I almost feel like I’m on holidays – even if I’m working on projects and producing music. Every morning, I do two hours of sport, such as tennis, boxing and going to the gym. Despite being French, I'm not obsessed with food, and eat very little sugar or fat.

So it’s as though you have the discipline of an athlete? 

CLF:  Absolutely. I think it’s important to have discipline, especially when you perform until 5 or 6am, then fly to another city the day after to perform again. When I return home from a long trip, I take melatonin for 3 days to regulate my sleep, like tennis players usually do. I’m convinced that when you are performing, you have to keep yourself in shape. A lack of sleep is the main thing that really concerns me. I try to sleep well and avoid working on my computer when I get home late at night. Tennis is actually one of my biggest passions. French professional tennis player Paul-Henri Mathieu and I are good friends and I really respect him as a person and as a tennis player.

I heard that you once performed at Roger Federer’s birthday party ...

CLF:  When Roger was 28 years old, I met his wife Mirka by chance through my Italian PR agent. I told her that if she was looking for a DJ for Roger’s 30th birthday party, then I was more than happy to do it. She told me that she wanted to organise a very private surprise party for Roger, with only 100 or so of his close friends. Then, two years later, she contacted me. It was so much fun playing for him and sharing a great moment together. Since we met, we’ve been really close.

How many times have you travelled around the world?

CLF:  I travel around the world at least once every year, which means about 20 times! More recently, I did the following trip: Los Angeles, Tokyo, Singapore, Dubai, Paris, then London. However, it’s frustrating since I hardly have time to visit these cities, as I only tend to stay for a night or two – except in NYC and Tokyo where I try to stay for longer, and in Miami, where I stay the entire week for Miami Music Week where I perform over 4 nights. Recently, I fell in love with Japan and the Japanese people. They are amazing – they have such an interesting culture, a strong discipline and at the same time are very Zen. When I’m in Tokyo, I feel really great, despite it being such a huge city. People are so kind and helpful, and the city is so clean. I took my daughter to Tokyo last November and she adored it. Every morning for breakfast, the waiter remembered her name and what she had eaten the day before – she was so impressed! 

Which cities do you love to perform in, and always love to go back to?

CLF:  During the summer, I love to be based in Europe. Among the “party cities”, I love to go to Amnesia night club in Cap d'Agde in the South of France, Via Notte in Corsica and of course, Mykonos which is really cool. Also Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Australia are great destinations during the winter. I also like going to London to play at the Ministry of Sound, Belgium is also great, and I love performing in Italy where I always feel really welcome. However, the nec plus ultra for me is obviously Pacha Ibiza where I have my own residency, Paris By Night, every Saturday night from the 27th May to 7th October 2017 during the summer.

You are the quintessential global nomad! How you manage being away from your family when you’re working overseas?

CLF:  My children know that their dad works very hard and at the end of the day, what matters is not the quantity but the quality of time that we spend together. For example, two years ago I started practicing Thai boxing with my son Raphael. We train together with the same coach for two hours every week. He has grown so much in the last 2 years, he is currently 16 years old and he is taller than me. I’m 1.75m and he is 1.82m! With my daughter Paloma who is 12 years old, we share more artistic moments together, with a strong focus on music. My son adores photography and he has been taking some great pictures for my projects. Nowadays, young kids are very sharp thanks to the explosion of social media. With Instagram, they can develop their artistic skills and not just take selfies. I love to show them new experiences and to travel as much as possible. Since he was  6 years old, I’ve been bringing my son to the studio while I produce music. That’s also why I wanted to bring them to the U.S., to discover a new culture where the people are very dynamic.

For how long have you been living in L.A?

CLF:  It's been 4 years now. The lifestyle in California is fantastic, where the colours of the landscape and the light are amazing. I’m also very lucky to spend a lot of my time in Paris though. I have a very affinity with Paris, as I was grew up there and still have an apartment in Le Marais district. To be honest, it’s difficult to leave France, as it's the most beautiful country in the world due to its culture, landscape and cuisine.

When you travel, how do you see the different cultures embracing your music, or music in general?

CLF:  We can now say that DJs are considered as artists, and that dance music has become very popular globally due to platforms such as the radio and the internet. Obviously, you know that people going to Ibiza love clubbing and good music. It’s such a pleasure to have such a cool crowd coming to have lots of fun. Japanese people are also big dance music fans and really celebrate the artists they love. It is similar in Italy – that’s why I love so much going to those countries. French people are different, they are constantly looking for new influences as opposed to Italians, who tend to be loyal for a long time. The Americans are very volatile and tend to look for the latest trends.

What would you say are your main career achievements so far?

CLF:  I would say first of all, the creation in 1994 of my own label, Yellow Production. Then, in 1998, my first album “Paradise” which was the catalyst of going on my first tours. And in 2005, the title “Love Generation” which represented a real crossover in terms of my career. The timing was perfect, as after ten years of hard work, I gained a lot of credibility. On the 18th April 2016, I launched my new single “Someone Who Needs Me” which has a sexy and feminine house music inspiration. It was produced by the Dutch label, Spinnin' Records, which is one of the biggest dance music labels in the world. It’s been a great experience and I’m really happy with this collaboration with such a professional team. I hope it will have a lot of visibility.

What artists have you enjoyed working with during your career?

CLF:  I’ve had the chance to meet many amazing musicians, producers and singers which helped me reach the level that my music is at today. The most significant collaboration was with Sly and Robbie. They are Jamaican producers with whom I produced the album, “Made In Jamaica”, which is a compilation of my greatest hits mixed in a Reggae style. Sly and Robbie have collaborated with some of the best artists in the world such as Bob Marley, U2, Grace Jones and also Serge Gainsbourg. To work with them in a recording studio in Jamaica was a dream come true, we had such a fantastic time. I also really enjoyed working with Sean Paul and with Gary Pine, with whom I collaborated with on "Love Generation".  To participate in the creation of this masterpiece was a fabulous experience and achievement. “Love Generation” is such a positive and universal song which speaks to everyone! When you're creating, you’re not really realising how far your work can go, but you are aware of the emotions and energy that you're experiencing. You hope that others will feel the same, otherwise you’d better stop creating music and do something else. As an artist, I live to reach people’s emotions, and when I succeed, it makes me so happy. What is interesting as an artist is to go through a certain frustration during the process of creation and to explore many possibilities: what about this, what about that...

What drives you today, what motivates you? 

CLF:  I strongly believe in synchronicity, this kind of dynamic process and energy that you put into your work, where the universe creates a positive outcome. I strongly believe that we, as human beings, are our own source of power and energy. I focus on sharing and receiving good and beautiful energy. That's what synchronicity is about – giving a maximum of positive energy to what you do, moving forward, and inevitably it comes back to you.

What are some of your favourite addresses in Paris?

CLF:  I was born, still live and will never move to another area in Paris other than Le Marais. Despite being French, I’m not obsessed with food. However, there’s a small café that I adore in Le Marais called Queen Ann (5 rue Simon Lefranc, 75003) owned by a gay couple. Jean-Claude is the chef and he makes delicious and creative quiches, including one with prunes and bacon, and another one with goat cheese and raisins – all of them have incredible flavours. The desserts are also delicious – just speaking about it, my mouth is watering! Usually Queen Ann is the first place I go for lunch when I’m back in Paris.

And what are a few of your favourite addresses in L.A?

CLF:  In L.A, my favourite address is a Japanese restaurant named Izakaya by Katsu-ya, on Third Street. There are several of them and they’ve been acquired by the SLS Hotels Group. It is by far the best Japanese restaurant I know. I eat a lot of sushi, it’s very good for muscle recovery and inflammation. Their sashimi is so delicious, it's my daily obsession!

Interview:  Enrique Nalda & Kimberley McLoughlin

M O R E   I N T E R V I E W S  . . .