Millimetric Interview

François-Xavier Michel known as "FX" to his friends records under the name Millimetric. He is one of a select few artists crossing into the EBM genre from the techno side. Part of a strong wave of music from France his friends and musicalikes include David Carretta, Terrence Fixmer and Vitalic. Recently he remixed Austrian Things to Come Records act PN-X-TG's song Cannonfodder. He also collaborated with The Horrorist, Oliver Chesler for a so far unnamed song to be released on a full length Millimetric album.

You are one of a select few artists in the world who is heavily influenced by EBM but are coming to it as a techno producer. Tell us 5 EBM songs everyone should own.

It’s very difficult to choose… I'm not only into EBM... I really like all styles.  
1 : DAF "Vershwende deine Jungend"
2 : Severed Heads "Adolf a Karott"
3 : Jeff & Jane Hudson « Operating Instruction »
4 : Force dimension "Dust"
5 : Art Kinder Industry (first David Carretta band in 90s. Marseille)

Millimetric is a interesting name. It also reminds me of the 80's rap band Mantronix. They also used a lot of Roland TR-808. Have you heard of them?Tell us about the name Millimetric. Does it have anything to do with the Metric system?

No sorry I don't know of them but I will look them up. The word "millimetric" give a sense of details, that's why I choose it.

What led you to choose to be a musician?

Well, my father played the guitar and my mother and my grandmother played the piano too. Since I was a child I listened to the music. My father listened to Kraftwerk, Pierre Henry and I always wanted to do the same sound. In the end of the 80's my father bought my first synthesizer (a Korg Poly 800) and the passion began here. It was incredible to change and modulate sounds, to make noises, to sequence  After I bought my first drum machine (Roland TR 505) and many others... Digital Blood was my first serious band (more EBM and Industrial sound).

The studio. The equipment. Tell us about the tools you use.

I began to work on a Commodore 64 then I bought an Atari and today i work with a PC with a MOTU 828 MKII soundcard. I also use several hardware and software machines. For hardware I use Korg MS 20, Korg MS 50, Yamaha CS 30, Yamaha CS 60, Akai VX 90, Crumar Bit 01,Korg VC10...I also work with analogical effects as Roland Space echo, Korg Stage echo and so on. For software I like to use analogical simulator VSTI. My favorite are from EFM.

What about sequencing? Do you use Ableton Live?

Since Atari, I work on Cubase in studio and Live for live.

Of all the music you have released which is your favorite?

My favorite and more personal is "The answer" on my second EP "Electronic Waves" on Goodlife label. I wrote it when my sister died. This track is dedicated to her. I am still waiting for "The answer"...

What are three websites you like to visit?

1 : ebay: vintage, synth, drum machines
2 : www.lemonde.fr
3 : www.cybernetic-broadcasting.net (an excellent electronic radio)

Is the future clean shiny plastic or distorted rusting steel?

I think that the future will be more distorted rusting steel. The climatic change, wars, terrorism, I am not very optimistic for our children. Finally the world is very EBM and Industrial as we are!

Are you performing live? If yes, what is your show like? Do you also do vocals live?

There's no specifical show, I play my tracks I don't do vocals because I am a VERY bad singer!!

Tell us your home page, myspace page, booking info and anything else you would like to add!

www.millimetric.com
www.myspace.com/millimetrique
www.myspace.com/anonymatelectronique (my broadcast on www.beradio.net)

Bookings:
severine@millimetric.com (France & Europe)
frederic@gindrebooking.com (Worldwide)