French DJ Lamache joins us for the long weekend on the 1st of May and we talk residencies, DJing and working through his burnout
Lamache (Thibaut Machet) still has the same pair of Technics turntables he started out with. A DJs DJ, he’s avoided the producer/DJ honorific, focussing instead on crafting his skills behind those decks over the course of an extensive career.
Coming through the scene in Toulouse at a time when the French Touch sound was at its height of popularity, Thibaut walked a very different path in the footsteps of the pioneers like Zip and Riccardo Villalobos, where a striped-back minimal aesthetic prevailed.
He had his first residency at a gay club back home before moving to Paris, where through the famous Rex Club, he started making a name for himself outside of Paris. A residency at London’s Toi Toi came next before he eventually made the move to Berlin, right in the beating heart of Europe’s club-culture.
Even while suffering a burnout, he never stopped playing, building a career on the prowess of his skills as a DJ to becoming a leading light on the scene today. He comes to Jaeger to play the start of the long weekend with Ole HK and Helt Texas on the 30th of April.
Hello Thibaut. Thank you for taking the time to answer some questions. Where are you at the moment, and what are you listening to?
Good morning, I am currently in my apartment in Berlin, in my living room, and I am listening to and ripping a pile of new records that arrived in the last few days. This is an exercise I try to do weekly, so I can listen to my music regularly and get familiar with it before putting the records in my bag or on the shelf.
What was the last track you played in a DJ set and what do you remember about the dance floor at that time?
A few actually, but right now I would say one is a new record from the label called Digger, the release is Rolldabeetz – Underground Tales From Brazil (Curitiba 2010–2019).
And the second track I have in mind is an unreleased one produced by my dear friend Shonky. I sometimes have the chance to get his music in my hands, so I can try it in my latest sets — new tracks or older ones he wants to release.
It’s another exercise I really enjoy doing with my producer friends.
What was your introduction to DJing and electronic music and what kind of scenes/sounds were you plugging into when you were coming up in Toulouse?
I started playing music because I always enjoyed gathering people and friends at my dad’s apartment when he was away… We were always listening to music, but at some point we needed someone to take care of it, curate it, and naturally play it. So I got a pair of Technics (that I still have today), and that’s how my DJ journey started, very naturally.
A few months later, once I was more comfortable and knew how to play records, I was out with a friend and there was no DJ playing at this bar/club, even though it was full. The music was okay, but not really right for the moment; I could feel it.
So I went to the person at the bar and asked if I could go home, grab my records, and come back to play. It turned out amazing. I became a resident there when I was 18. It was a well-known gay bar where all the DJs were really good, and I was watching them closely, learning different techniques and sounds.
France’s legacy in electronic club music had been firmly established in the sound of French touch and the deconstructed Disco sound of Daft Punk and Ed Banger, but you walked a different path. You were your seminal French touchstones in the beginning?
The French Touch is part of my generation, I grew up with it. I was even playing some of it at the beginning and the genre is quite wide. But my real influences came from that little bar where I learned how to play for an audience.
France had this big electro house moment, like everywhere else, so of course I had records from that era. But my heart was always in house and techno. I was always looking for something more stripped down, more sophisticated in the sound.
You held your first residency in a gay club. How did that come about and what about playing for a gay crowd affected the way you DJ today?
There was always something special about that place. People were more open-minded, or at least much more than in other places. The music was so good, and I thought the crowd was really cool. Their style and their general approach were different. It definitely shaped me in some way.
You’ve held a few seminal residencies since then, including Rex and Toi Toi. Residencies tend to develop a different type of DJ, one that seems more connected to an audience, in my opinion. What did you take away from your residencies that you feel sets you apart?
I was never a resident at Rex Club in Paris, but I played a few important gigs there that helped me move forward in my career. Rex is a place where I saw many of my idols, so it meant a lot to me. In Toulouse, we didn’t have access to so many artists, so moving to Paris was an important step.
Later, Toi Toi Music in London added another layer to my experience. The parties in basements or warehouses were something new for me, and the sound had a different impact on my life. That’s also where I discovered the long after-hours culture in London.
Between these two cities, I really learned how to read and adapt to a crowd or a situation.
I didn’t start in the best clubs. I come from places where turntables didn’t always work properly, where the sound system was unstable… I didn’t grow up in comfortable booths. Because of that, I developed a strong ability to adapt.
You made an early choice to move away from France, first London then Berlin. What was the reason for moving and how did it influence your DJing style?
Music was always the main reason behind my moves. I followed my instinct and made decisions very naturally. I was not really thinking in terms of mistakes. I just dared to do things.
Maybe it was simpler 15 years ago, I don’t know, but I feel lucky and grateful for how things unfolded.
Growing through Paris, London, and Berlin shaped me a lot. Because of that, I feel more European than just French.
Your sets live in that minimal landscape, falling in that spectrum DJs like Riccardo Villalobos, Zip and Roman Flügel occupy. How would you describe your sound for the uninitiated and who are your DJ influences?
It’s funny how people like to label DJs. In my case, people often say I’m a “minimal DJ”, which I find quite funny…
I was never playing only Romanian minimal as people describe it.
I come from house, I play techno as well, but what really matters to me is the aesthetic. That is something that touches me in the sound and in the groove. You could say I have always been drawn to stripped-down music.
You mentioned Zip, and yes, he is a big inspiration for me. His way of presenting and building music is very special, he is an incredible selector and DJ, and also a very kind human. Ricardo Villalobos is an amazing artist who shaped a sound and influenced so many people. Some of his sets will stay with me forever.
In recent years, Rhadoo impressed me a lot with his technique and the way he creates tension. It feels very natural and unique. Shonky is an example of discipline and dedication to music. I respect him deeply, and he is a close friend. I learn a lot from him. Dyed Soundorom also has a lot of class in the way he plays; there is a certain swag, you either have it or you don’t.
And recently, I played with tINI in Ecuador, and she played one of the best sets I’ve heard in years. Everything was aligned, she had full control of the room. It was a real lesson in DJing. She took risks, and those risks created something special.
How have you seen your style evolve over the years and where is it now?
My style is always evolving, and thankfully so. It would be boring otherwise. Music moves fast, and I think it’s important to stay open and explore different directions.
Even though you studied sound engineering, you seemed to be keenly focussed on DJing. Why has the producer tag eluded you all this time?
I have always been a DJ first. Producing music never came as naturally to me.
You took a break from DJing for a while, citing mental health reasons. What was the hardest aspect of having to force yourself to stop DJing for that period?
Even though I went through a burnout a few years ago, I never actually stopped playing or traveling; quite the opposite. My career was growing while I was going through that difficult period. I came out of it stronger. Therapy, psychology, and having the right people around me helped a lot.
I imagine, you had to adapt your lifestyle to continue to facilitate your career. What were some of the changes you had to make and how has it affected your DJing style if at all?
Listen to your body. Stop trying to please everyone. When you start, you are young, sometimes naive, and you just want to play, so you forget yourself. I don’t make that mistake anymore. You need discipline if you want to last in this industry. It is always a passion, but when it becomes your job, you need some structure.
This will be your first visit to Jaeger. What do you know about us and what made you say yes for this one?
I’m very excited for this gig. I hope I can play a long set and really build something for you. I have a lot of new music to share. I’ve only heard good things from my friends about your place, and it’s been a while since I’ve been in the city.
Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions, Thibaut. Before you go, can you give us a sneak peak in your record bag for the event. What are some of the highlights currently sticking out your bag?
Let me share one record I really like at the moment:
Shkedul – B1. Their Mind