Beatportal interview: Guillaume and the Coutu Dumonts

Beatportal interview: Guillaume and the Coutu Dumonts

28 May, 2008 | 8.05AM

• Written by: Ben Raven
• Filed under: Music News: guillaume & the coutu dumonts, les gans, musique risqueé

His name might be the bane of flyer designers everywhere for its length, but Montreal’s finest new exporter of underground funk is one of the scene’s hottest new names.

If you’re a fan of deep house with one eye on the future and the other on barrel loads of funk, then you’ll already own a record by Guillaume.

Tracks like the ‘Flying Dutchman’, ‘My Main Man’ or ‘Sous L’Arbre’ have earned him a reputation as one of house music’s most innovative new producers.

An album on Musique Risqueé confirmed that status and the lead track ‘Les Gans’ — a mind blowing excursion in jazz and live instrument-fused house — is still topping DJ charts since its release in November.

His sound is all about organic percussion, funk and soul influenced instrumentation, and neck-breakingly funky basslines.

So, who is Guillaume?

First off please explain your name ‘Guillaume & the Coutu Dumonts’?

Coutu Dumont is my family name.

I was looking for a name that would give a flavor like a band… like Smokey Robinson & the Miracles.

I was thinking about it for a long time before my brother came over for dinner and just threw that name on the table in five seconds.

Now promoters and graphic designers all hate me because it’s so long it can’t fit on a flyer.

Your MySpace tells us that you “discovered techno one night in the midst of a lightning storm.” Can you explain this further?!

Back then I was studying Latin percussion and electro-acoustic composition and a friend (with whom I made ‘Egg’ a few months later) brought me to an open-air party at an amazing location!

During the night there was a lighting storm… but really there were two!

Who are your musical heroes?

Tough call—I guess it always changes.

The ones that stick with me always are Fela Kuti, Horace Silver, Johannes Brahms, Pink Floyd, and Prince.

How did you become involved in music?

I was drawn to music by percussion.

It was the only instrument I could start playing by myself without knowing anything about music, I guess.

I started to play in a funk band around the age of 17, which is pretty old to start playing music. I loved it.

Then I studied Latin and classical percussion, played in some other bands [and joined a contemporary jazz formation with whom he recorded two albums and toured for several months in Senegal].

You’re now living in Berlin. How are you finding it so far?

I’ve been in and out since last May, so I’ve been there for about a year now.

Berlin is an amazing city.

There is something really cool about the fact that people let you be over there.

You don’t feel the pressure you might feel in another great European capital.

Before Berlin I was in Paris and it’s totally different — much more intense and even aggressive.

How does Berlin differ from Montreal?

It’s in Europe!

By that I mean that it’s just way easier to move around during the weekend and make a living out of my music.

There are so many networks over there and such little distance between cities that it makes it possible.

What excites you about electronic music right now?

The fact that I hear more and more party music, more groovy music.

I think every time I go record shopping or listen to music I hear good stuff.

The last record that amazed me was the Dplay and Manuel Tur EP ‘Deviate’ on Drumpoet Community.

Do you have any other claims to fame or notoriety apart from that which is through your music?

I am currently working on a character for the WWF. I’ll let you know when it’s ready!

What music should we look out for from you next?

This month there is the second single of the album coming out with a remix of ‘Horror Inc.’ on Musique Risquée.

There is a collaboration with Federico Molinari under ‘The Per Eckbo Orchestra’ on Oslo.

There is also a remix I did for Sety from Circus Company and one for Mark August.

Later this summer there will be a second Circus Company, then a second Musique Risquée.

A ‘Chic Miniature EP’ is going to be released on Crosstown Rebels at the end of May.

We are currently working on an album and maybe even some Flabbergast tracks.

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Picture credits: Miguel Legault and Gabriel Coutu Dumont

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