Techno, House and Acid: Chris Warner at the crossroads of genres
- 30/11/2023
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Discover the exceptional journey of Chris Warner. Explore his influences, dive into his musical diversity, and learn the secrets of his unique signature sound in this exclusive interview, offering a privileged look at the music scene’s emerging talent.
Chris Warner’s debut
Chris Warner started out doing all-style sets in bars and pubs, then was spotted by a nightclub where Chris was booked. He thus started playing in clubs and became resident DJ at Prestige Club, Club Number One and Empire Club in 2017, maintaining this position for 4 years.
During this time, Chris also branched out into music production. In 2017, he released his first unreleased track entitled “Origin” (Techno). With the arrival of the Covid period, the DJ devoted himself entirely to music production. DJ currently has 13 tracks available on platforms.
In 2023, Chris Warner created his own label, “Hit the Lights Records“. Since then, he has been performing in clubs mainly in Europe, building up a loyal fan base.
The origin of his stage name goes back to his childhood. His nickname, Chris, short for Christophe, was associated with Warner at school, because the other children couldn’t pronounce his surname, Wargnier. That name, Chris Warner, stayed with him.
Influenced by older friends, the DJ fell in love with electronic music at an early age, listening to bands such as Prodigy, Scooter, Swedish House Mafia and artists like Laurent Garnier, Eric Prydz and others.
His burning desire to share tracks with a wide audience led him to become a DJ. However, not content with playing other artists’ tracks, the DJ felt the need to produce his own sounds, mixing different styles such as techno, trance, acid, melodic and house. Refusing to limit himself to a single style, his musical palette is wide and varied. DJ can go from melodic techno to hard technoas well as house. His intention is not to confine himself to a particular genre, but to reserve the possibility, according to his inspirations, of playing several styles and even evolving over time.
Chris Warner: Musical Creation and the Secrets of his Signature Sound
First, Chris defines the musical genre. Then he looks inside himself for what he’d like to convey through his tracks: which emotions, rather brutal, melancholic, energetic… Then comes the technical process of creation. He often starts with the structure of the track, and then comes the part he really prefers, that of composition and arrangement.
The software and equipment Chris uses include Ableton Live 11, the Ableton Push 3 controller, and the Native Instruments Kontrol MK3 keyboard and Behringer td3 analog synthesizer for acid sounds. The key elements he incorporates into his signature soundtrack are intoxicating layers (trance-style or very melancholy) and thumping bass for an ultra-punchy sound.
As for VST the DJ recommends the Serum and Massive X synthesizers used in Ableton Live 11.
Exclusive interview with DJ Chris Warner.
1. What advice would you give to young artists looking to break into the electronic music industry as DJ/producers?
Persevere. Don’t dwell on the negative responses you receive at the start of your career, but use them as a driving force to keep going. The “No’s” will gradually turn into “Yes’s”.
2. What technical or artistic aspects do you think are important to focus on in order to progress as a DJ/producer?
In my opinion, it is essential to master a DAW and perfecting your skills. You can have lots of ideas in your head, and the DAW helps you bring them all together.
3. What are your future plans and goals as a DJ/producer?
So far, I’ve performed in France, Italy, Switzerland and Spain. I’d like to travel to other countries.
4Is there anything new or exciting you’re currently working on that you’d like to share?
I’m working on releasing an EP in early 2024 featuring tracks with more eclectic inspirations (House, Techno, Hard Techno), to demonstrate the range of my possibilities.
What’s more, even if my main aim is not to produce dancefloor music, but rather to create depth and authenticity in my sounds, in the long term I’d like to release a sound that can be played in most clubs. This is where my clubber’s soul comes out.
Conclusion
Chris Warner, a versatile and creative artist, opened the doors to his fascinating musical journey. From his early days as a resident DJ at the Empire Club to the creation of his label, “Hit the Lights Records”, his commitment to electronic music shines through. The influence of his childhood, his love of musical diversity, and his unwavering desire to share his music with the world make him a major player on the techno scene.
His wide and varied musical palette reflects his refusal to limit himself to a single style. Chris shared with us his passion for creating music, his unique process, and the key elements that define his signature sound. Through his advice to young artists and his future projects, he embodies the perseverance and audacity needed to evolve in the techno music industry.
