French DJ and producer Shiba San’s deep connection with music, specifically hip hop, is well known. It forms his infectious, ghetto leaning deep house for labels like the influential San Fran label ‘Dirtybird’ and Amine Edge & DANCE’s hotter than hot House outlet ‘Cuff’. Fusing classic analog sounds with current technology, his rock-solid productions make for a truly personal sound. As a DJ he brings supreme dexterity and a deep selection of sounds from every inch of the spectrum.
We had the chance to talk with Shiba San following his latest release on Green Velvet’s ‘Relief’ label.
Electronic Groove: Hello, thanks for the chat with us! Your new EP with Green Velvet is out now. How was it collaborating with the house legend?
Shiba San: Thanks to you. It was an amazing experience. We were very complementary to each other’s sound. He has a really good approach to the music and vocals, I loved it.
EG: With Green Velvet being so well known on the house scene, what was your aim moving forward with the EP?
Shiba San: Honestly, I never think about what will happen, I just enjoyed to make music with him and tried to give my best.
EG: Listeners can hear your production skills shine on the title track, ‘Fearless’. What was it about this single that made it the title track?
Shiba San: It’s the first track we made together, it took time to understand what we both wanted.Then the word ‘Fearless’ is nice and conveys a message, the best for the EP title.
“I sold out in the biggest clubs in the US, you can’t imagine my feeling when I saw all these people coming to see me”
EG: You actually have your own label in Basement Leak. Is this something you’ve always wanted to do? What is your process for selecting music to release and what sound are you going for musically with the label?
Shiba San: Setting up my own label was first to release my own tracks which I couldn’t do on the labels I wanted to work with, so it just came naturally. Then I discovered new artists with a different sound that I wanted to release. I play a lot of unreleased tracks that DJ’s send to me so it’s cool to then release it on my label. I don’t have a specific sound, just the sound I like and it’s different from other labels.
EG: It’s been a great year for you and your tour schedule, with locations including Coachella and Mexico’s BPM Festival in 2017. How was it playing at such renowned festivals?
Shiba San: It was awesome. BPM was very special. Parties everywhere, it’s a bit like Ibiza but with only the underground touch, very interesting. Coachella was amazing as well, I couldn’t wait to play there one day and I did, I’m so happy!
EG: What were some of your stand out moments?
Shiba San: I sold out in the biggest clubs in the US, you can’t imagine my feeling when I saw all these people coming to see me. Such a good time. I did mainstage at Escape with so many people – it was so good. Also, Movement in Detroit and the stage was so packed! I love this festival, when I came up on stage I thought… Wow!
EG: Who did you manage to see perform whilst on the festival circuit yourself? Did you also get to enjoy the festivals as a non-performer?
Shiba San: Unfortunately, I never have time to enjoy festivals. I fly in just before my set time, and I’m usually tired because of the travels and go to sleep after my set cause I have a flight early the day after. I should really make sure there is a little time to enjoy!
EG: Thanks for speaking to us and look forward to hearing new music from you soon!
Shiba San: Thank u so much.
Shiba San’s ‘Fearless’ EP is already available. Grab your copy here.
Follow Shiba San:
https://www.shibasan.com
https://www.facebook.com/shiba.san
https://soundcloud.com/shibasan
https://www.instagram.com/shibasanmusic
