Today we celebrate Rock day and we passed the Mic to Rod, our Rock and Metal Editor who told us about his passion for these genres, his dream concert, music discoveries in 2023 and more…
How long have you been working for Deezer?
I was hired on January 2020, just a few weeks before CoVid.
What does it mean to be a music Editor and how did you become one?
For me, it means to know a lot about your genre, its history and its fans, it means to be involved in it too. Before working at Deezer I was a music journalist so I always liked to share my passion for music, in every possible way.
Where does your passion for Rock and Metal come from?
Back in teenagehood, I was making fanzines and compilations. Since I was living in the countryside, I had an urge to share and exchange with people all around the world. I come from punk, tape-making, record trading, a DIY world that undeniably forged my vision of music in general. I worked for the media and now the industry but I’ll always have this outsider mentality.
What were your best music discoveries this year?
I’d say High Vis, a fantastic band from London - even if they’re killing it for a few years now - but it’s only after their show in Paris I finally experienced their potential! And in the same field, I feel all the artists that evolved from the hardcore scene are the most exciting right now : Wicca Phase Springs Eternal, Militarie Gun, Fish Narc... Also listen to the Rosellas who are the next Stone Roses J
Top tips to make a banging playlist: Can you walk us through the making of a playlist you are very proud of?
I was asking this question to myself listening to more and more artists sounding like 90s or 00s emo music: is it emo?
So, I had to make a playlist to also ask the users: Is Eyedress emo? Is Trippie Redd emo? Is Billie Eilish emo? More generally, are we experiencing an emo revival since a couple of years? The answer is to be found in the playlist I guess.
What are the elements that a song has to have in order for it to become a hit?
A slapped bass and a mosh part
In your dream music festival which dead or living artist/s would headline?
Bad Brains, Type O Negative, Oasis, Danzig, Drexciya, Happy Mondays, N.W.A., Tears For Fears, Ennio Morricone, Cocteau Twins, Celtic Frost, Prince, Goblin, The Clash, Three 6 Mafia, A Tribe Called Quest, Alice in Chains, and… ok, Nirvana.
Any concert/festival/artist recommendation for 2023/2024?
I think anyone should see SPEED (a hardcore band from Sydney) live if they’re playing in your area. It’s a perfect example of a band/audience equality. And God you will sweat!
Do you have piece of clothes which tell us that you are rock fan or you are always dressed like one !?
I gave up the wallet chain 15 years ago, sorry
Craziest thing you have done to meet/see one of your favourite artists? (or What’s the most memorable concert/festival experience you’ve had?)
I once killed a man that was standing in front of me and prevented me to see the stage. More seriously, I’m not a big fan of “meeting my idols” because most of the time I know I will be disappointed!
I think one of the best show memory I have was seeing Turnstile in a Paris bar 10 years ago : )
If you were stranded on a desert island and you could only bring with you 3 albums, what would they be
Impossible for me, but I would still have my Deezer account… right?
You can find Rod’s profile here
Who would you like to hear from next?
Let us know in the comments below!
