One speech to rule them all : The exclusive interview of Dj Gandulf

He is the musical alter in electro DJ version of the legendary loose solitary magician. Gandulf gives it an upgraded form that plays and mixes electronic music.

Gandulf has a timeless look. He mixes in socks and with average wizzard outfit. He doesn't wear a sexy bikini top or have any cool tattoos. He carries “Gary” his stick, and is equipped with objects, kawaii decorations and unlikely sponsors.

Indeed, Gandulf mutated through contact with matter and music. He threw his sword and was met with Kawaii energy and strength. This is why its color is purple and not gray.

Striking when necessary, and melodic progressive when desirable.

Gandulf has a particular taste for feel good electro, deephouse and progressive house, melodic techno, uplifting emotional trance .

Before joining electronic music Gandulf took a long path in classical music, from the French Horn.

Gandulf represents a super star character in the collective imagination. Gandulf is half-wizard because of this.

The other half is for sound. Dj Gandulf draws inspiration from the best producers and launches the sound like never before thanks to his half-wizzard charisma.

Gandulf lives anonymously among the crowd. When it appears, it is to “drop the bass ” to a higher level. Here and now, he has accumulated enough energy to exist in this world and gains strength with each appearance.

He hit for the first time on stage in Lyon, France on February 11, 2024, during the 11th edition of St Val en Chien, at the Rock & Eat venue .

Gandulf was modeled in part by AI and 1 year of preparation was necessary for his first appearance.

You don't suddenly become DJ Gandulf . It's a path started 30 years ago in classical music and 15 years as a ghost producer in electronic music. Combined with this were years of life trials, perseverance and patience. The challenges turned into lessons and learning. Thus, Dj Gandulf is a desire and a reservoir loaded with revenge in the face of existence.

Never mind.

It has long been said that the people of Lyon love the arts but not so much artists. This is why, off stage, Gandulf takes on an anonymous form to blend into the city and thus hides in full light. For those paying attention, only a ring of power will be visible on his right hand.

In 3 steps:

1.       It happens, announced or unexpected.

2.       He does the job.

3.       He goes back to wash his socks and recharge his energy in the calm of the forests.

A progressive electro set which offers a panorama of different trends, mixed with surprises. An epic finale in the form of uplifting trance or punchy techno style . A signature playlist that combines cutting-edge pieces, remixed classics, and sometimes variations on other unexpected styles to create rhythm breaks. Various and improbable FX and vocal samples . A few compositions too, sometimes.

Most of the time Gandulf plays on his own hardware, using a rugged antique PC, a rudimentary HD interface and a complete virtual mixing studio. Gandulf only uses AKG Professional headphones.

Gandulf was created in part by AI and its imaginary nature is virtual. That's why he's only half a DJ

That said, Gandulf goes into modernity and knows how to manipulate XDJ hardware.

So, each venue shall be a new challenge to sharpen his Dj technique.

Gary is the ritual stick of Dj Gandulf . In its original version, the stick is topped by a plush toy, inspired by SpongeBob's friend. It is decorated with pompoms and esoteric and Kawaii designs. The snail is an integral alternative hermaphrodite, symbol of the unity of the whole, and of quiet strength.

It was carved from hardwood from the forests of western Lyon, dried and polished for months, before being decorated by a fairy named Névée , in exchange for a few bank notes and precious crystals. .

A compartment is provided inside the stick to insert batteries in a later version.

They are very diverse: jazz, classical, rock… Gandulf is also interested in film music.

Gandulf is a fan of all musicians. As for electronic music:

Labels: Enhanced, Silk, Colorize, Black Hole, Armada/ASOT, Ultra, Mau5trap, Kompakt , Spinning, Musical Freedom, Anjunabeat

Artists: Mango, Mossy, Darren Porter, PROFF, Ilan Bluestone, Lazerkraft 3D, Chicane, Deadmau5, Alex Morph, Above & Beyond, Cosmic Gates, Andy Blueman, Omnia, Arty, Yotto , Thomas Datt, Rebucke, Tinlicker, Michael Cassette...

 As a half-Dj, Dj Gandulf is mainly here to perform.

That said, as a former ghost producer,  Gandulf is still authorized to release some sort of electronic epic tracks. 

DJs usually wear fun outfits and cool tattoos. Some have coloured hair or wear sunglasses. They raise their arms and jump to their feet when they're not focused on their complicated machines. DJettes are certainly advantaged by their bikini privilege. Sometimes there are twins or they play with several people. Often, they perform their set in a very specific genre.

Gandulf is more interested in melodies and progressives sets.

Dj Gandulf is a follower of all music producers.

On the stage side, James Brown or Jamiroquai for their charisma and musical inspiration.

Dj Gandulf wish is to put some emotions and melodies on the techno scene, which is going too much in drums and percussions oriented.

That said, Dj Gandulf shall play on the biggest Sound system and achieve the “G effect”, that is to say put the dancefloor in euphoria. This happens under certain conditions when the ritual is correctly performed.

No importance.

Gandulf is not here to lecture.

Thus in a vortex of music, Dj Gandulf will make fools and kings dance without distinction. He will raise his glass, laugh heartily and take selfies with everyone.

Then it will disappear once the job is done. He will return to wash his socks and recharge his energ in the calm of the forests and meadows before starting again when the right  time comes.

There is no rush to do this, because there is only one possible path: the epic one.

Recorded in March 2024 by Shlomo "Rony" Heimfetz, senior lecturer