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Genevieve, at the Festival d'Été de Québec, we have been surprised
to see how successful was the electronic music night, with Skrillex and others.
to see how successful was the electronic music night, with Skrillex and others.
- Definitely - And there is a local scene here in Quebec,
of electronic music producers, and you met one of them who creates hardcore.
- Yes, hardcore electronic music.
which is kinda the black sheep of electronic music, unfortunately.
His name is Simon "Merkurius" Robidoux,
he's a hardcore music DJ for about 10 years.
And he gave himself the challenge to popularise this music genre,
And he gave himself the challenge to popularise this music genre,
He organises some events here in Quebec City with his crew,
the Kanibalz Kollective,
well known for their Halloween parties at Complexe Meduse.
I met him at his place so he can talk to us about this music genre
I met him at his place so he can talk to us about this music genre
better known in Europe and especially in the Netherlands,
but here in Quebec, it's underground.
- So let's find out who is DJ Merkurius.
When I was a teenager, I wasn't really interested in the kind of music my friends were listening to.
When I was a teenager, I wasn't really interested in the kind of music my friends were listening to.
Hip-hop, punk rock...
Hip-hop, punk rock...
In fact I was secretly more interested by dance music.
In fact I was secretly more interested by dance music.
Hardcore is underground. Even mainstream electronic music is considered underground here,
Hardcore is underground. Even mainstream electronic music is considered underground here,
so hardcore is what I would call one of its most underground sub-genre.
so hardcore is what I would call one of its most underground sub-genre.
When I heard that for the 1st time, I was captivated by its energy, its intensity.
When I heard that for the 1st time, I was captivated by its energy, its intensity.
We can't really find that in other styles like house or trance.
We can't really find that in other styles like house or trance.
The tempo is a bit faster, and melodies are often very powerful.
The tempo is a bit faster, and melodies are often very powerful.
So at this point, hardcore really bewitched me.
Something there was made for me.
I had found my style.
There's something very epic in that music. Very powerful. Like you're raising an army to go to war.
There's something very epic in that music. Very powerful. Like you're raising an army to go to war.
- That's the way you feel when you play?
- Nearly... maybe we could say that!
Basically I produce with my computer and a MIDI controller.
Basically I produce with my computer and a MIDI controller.
Basically I produce with my computer and a MIDI controller.
And I do everything from my home, here.
I can spend 2 months without doing music, then I get an idea.
I can spend 2 months without doing music, then I get an idea.
And I'm gonna work it days and night, and this can be kinda insane.
Hardcore music has a typical dark and gloomy side.
For me, the horror theme has a direct connection with hardcore.
For me, the horror theme has a direct connection with hardcore.
Moreover, a lot of my own tracks contain vocals that are directly sampled from horror movies.
Moreover, a lot of my own tracks contain vocals that are directly sampled from horror movies.
Moreover, a lot of my own tracks contain vocals that are directly sampled from horror movies.
Moreover, a lot of my own tracks contain vocals that are directly sampled from horror movies.
DJs have monitors on the stage, in order to hear themsleves well while they play.
DJs have monitors on the stage, in order to hear themsleves well while they play.
DJs have monitors on the stage, in order to hear themsleves well while they play.
Sometime, the volume of those speakers can be really high,
Sometime, the volume of those speakers can be really high,
so some DJs have hearing troubles.
Once I had a particular problem on a NYE event, a big show with Deadmau5 and Skrillex.
Once I had a particular problem on a NYE event, a big show with Deadmau5 and Skrillex.
Once I had a particular problem on a NYE event, a big show with Deadmau5 and Skrillex.
I was on the VIP stage, always showing my left side to the DJ. The day after, my left ear was not hearing correctly.
I was on the VIP stage, always showing my left side to the DJ. The day after, my left ear was not hearing correctly.
I was on the VIP stage, always showing my left side to the DJ. The day after, my left ear was not hearing correctly.
That may happen sometimes, it's normal, and it usually comes back soon.
That may happen sometimes, it's normal, and it usually comes back soon.
But 1 day, 2 days, a week, 10 days...
But 1 day, 2 days, a week, 10 days...
I was afraid.
But fortunately, 2 weeks later, my hearing got back totally.
But fortunately, 2 weeks later, my hearing got back totally.
When I started performing back in the days, I was playing only with vinyl records and turntables,
When I started performing back in the days, I was playing only with vinyl records and turntables,
But things have changed, we're in the digital era. MP3s are more easy to get, and less expensive.
But things have changed, we're in the digital era. MP3s are more easy to get, and less expensive.
I used to order all my records from Holland, that was expensive, and usually only like 3 tracks by discs.
I used to order all my records from Holland, that was expensive, and usually only like 3 tracks by discs.
I used to order all my records from Holland, that was expensive, and usually only like 3 tracks by discs.
I used to order all my records from Holland, that was expensive, and usually only like 3 tracks by discs.
But the vinyl disc remains in my heart!
But the vinyl disc remains in my heart!
But the vinyl disc remains in my heart!
- Do you dream of a David Guetta career?
- A lot of DJs would love to have a huge career.
Maybe not as much as him, because it's very commercial.
Hardcore is a more underground music that will never reach tops like dance music.
Hardcore is a more underground music that will never reach tops like dance music.
And I don't think that's what hardcore producers want anyway.
And I don't think that's what hardcore producers want anyway.
We certainly want to popularise the style, but we don't want eveyone to love it, we know it's not for everyone.
We certainly want to popularise the style, but we don't want eveyone to love it, we know it's not for everyone.
We certainly want to popularise the style, but we don't want eveyone to love it, we know it's not for everyone.
We want to spread it, to share it, and that the people who love it simply follow us.
We want to spread it, to share it, and that the people who love it simply follow us.
We want to spread it, to share it, and that the people who love it simply follow us.