POPOF’s Mind Access Winds Down 2018 [Interview]

When it comes to worlds within techno and house music, Parisian DJ/Producer POPOF conquers nearly all soundscapes. With 2018 winding down, Alexandre Paounov aka POPOF can add more momentous live performances and fresh records like his Mind Access EP to his ever growing musical repertoire.

Most recently, the powerful Mind Access EP features three signature style songs that are purely captivating. With roots and initial endeavours dating back to the 90s rave scene, POPOF’s now veteran career has garnered international acclaim. POPOF remains known for a sound that packs enormous energy and strikes mind and soul like none other. Creating music built to withstand time, POPOF released his LP ‘Love Somebody’ in 2015. Its two first singles, “Words Gone” and “Going Back” were followed by a string of remixes by some of the industry’s biggest names: Jamie Jones, Luciano, Magda, Kerri Chandler, Eats Everything, Lee Foss, Marc Houle, and more. 2017 reigned in another stellar year, with a sold-out tour in South America, a champion performance at Glastonbury festival, and a slew of remix tracks.

2018 has proven to be one of POPOF’s most sensational years, with performances slaying across the board at world-renowned festivals. Including taking the stage at Ultra Music Festival in Brazil, Miami, Mexico City and more, as well as Pyramid Amnesia and Mysteryland Cocoon. Music releases like “BOWO” via his own FORM Imprint and the Enforced EP on Adam Beyer’s Truesoul imprint have also vamped up the year with evolutions of sound and further innovative ventures into dance music.

We spoke with POPOF to discuss all things new music, the new year, and 2018 highlights in an exclusive interview below!

The Nocturnal Times: Where in the world are you right now?

POPOF: Medellin, Colombia. I’ve just performed there (at the Cocoon party) for the very first time, and it was fantastic! I had a blast playing alongside Sven Vath and the Cocoon family; the crowd and the venue were also outstanding.

The Nocturnal Times: How has 2018 been for you so far? What have been your highlights?

POPOF: 2018 was honestly one of my busiest years ever. I started it with an EP, “Confusion”, released on Nicole Moudaber’s Mood label, then another one, “Enforced” EP, was out on Adam Beyer’s Truesoul imprint. Then “Synaptic” EP followed on Stefano Noferini’s Deeperfect, and right now I’ve just released my newest one, “Mind Access”.

The Nocturnal Times: Congratulations on the release of your latest EP Mind Access on Pig & Dan’s label ‘Elevate’. Can you tell us a bit about this release and how it came about?

POPOF: I had been considering Elevate for a while, obviously because it’s a great label and because I love Pig & Dan. It’s in the line of my previous EPs. I had lots of fun working on it.

The Nocturnal Times: Your label FORM Music is one of the most respected imprints in the techno scene. Can you tell our readers a bit more about the philosophy behind the label and what you’ve been up to this year?

POPOF: I founded Form Music in 2009 because I wanted to offer a platform to all sorts of artists, without taking into consideration their status or fame level. We’ve had releases by Julian Jeweil or Umek, and we’ve also supported younger rising talents such as Bulgarian producer Gallya, Colombian shock duo Celic & JuanDDD or super talented DJ/producer Dave Wincent – whose “Fuller” EP is our next release and features a remix by Form family member Simina Grigoriu.

Another activity facet of Form Music is our showcases, which have gained significant importance throughout the years. This year, we toured very successfully the USA, and Form’s label night at BPM festival was such a huge success the club couldn’t fit everyone so the people partied outside in the street !

The Nocturnal Times: What are some of the biggest challenges about running your own label?

POPOF: My schedule! It’s hard to answer my team’s messages when I’m touring at the other end of the world!

The Nocturnal Times: You recently put out your 2018 Fall Sampler on FORM Music. What’s the ideal behind a release like this?

POPOF: Our Form Music sampler is the perfect example showing how my label’s picks are 100% only based on the music. Every single track we chose had nothing to do with the artist being such and such. This sampler features historic, pioneer artists like Kiko, alongside very young newcomers. And it works – this sampler is monstrously good.