Not very long after his humble beginnings studying classical music in the former Soviet Union, Serge’s early electronic career is already marked with the achievements of a seasoned veteran. He hit the coveted DJ Mag Top 100 List, became the youngest resident DJ at New York’s legendary Crobar and has rapidly garnered major corporate support. Clothing maker Armani Exchange has recently snatched him up to represent the brand while global giant Coca-Cola has brought Serge on board with an exclusive track for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. DJ Tiesto has publicly named Serge Devant one of his top 5 favorite DJ's. Tiesto and many of the worlds DJ elite personally request Serge to share the stage while Serge himself holds residencies in major U.S. cities and headlines globally. His music is stylistically diverse and transcends the boundaries of the genre; adding up to a hard-hitting, riveting but classically beautiful sound that is way more than just electronic.
ClubDistrict had the opportunity to sit down with Serge Devant for a quick chat about Serge himself and the recent release of his new album “Wanderer”. Listen to Serge Devant Here>>
CD: Was electronic music always your first choice or did you have other influences growing up? SD: Well growing up in Russia and studying classical music when I was a kid and being dragged by my parents to various operas and concerts was my first influence, but I did like that kind of music; but I always felt it was forced on me. As a kid I listened to Michael Jackson, Queen, the Beatles, Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, etc. and whatever else got under the Iron Curtain into the USSR at that time. Really, I got into electronic music when I came to the states. Sneaking into the legendary Club Twilo while still under age really turned things around for me; and I was instantly hooked.
CD: In this zoo of music, what animal would describe your style and sound the best? SD: A penguin! They have emotions.
CD: Have you ventured out of electronic music at any point in your career? SD: Well if you listen to my album, I think it would answer your question. Working on this album I wanted to step out of the club format for a bit and make a few tunes that were totally not the “4 on the floor” format. Songs such as "People" and "Midnight Train" totally stand out in that sense.
CD: What do you feel triggered your stardom as an internationally recognized artist? SD: I’m not really sure myself. Maybe it was my cover of Beloved’s "Sweet Harmony" or maybe my recent track "Addicted" or maybe it was a combination of things. It’s hard to say... If you know, tell me.
CD: Your tours have taken you all over the world including China; you’ve experienced many different scenes and the message is always love and unity. Where do you find that message to be understood the strongest? SD: I mean this whole industry and dance music itself has always united people from all over. You don’t have to speak the language and there's no barrier that separates anything. It’s hard to say specifically which continent. In Asia people are very enthusiastic, but then in South America and Russia, it’s pretty much the same. I’d say countries where electronic music is fairly new or places that don’t get a lot of DJs coming through are the most enthusiastic like Russia and some countries in Asia.
CD: Considered number 1 in the World, DJ and Producer Tiesto has picked you as one of his top 5 favorite DJs, how does that feel? And has that helped your career? SD: Well it definitely was a surprise, and a nice surprise! It was a while ago though. In the beginning it definitely helped me, but I feel like it’s also starting to backfire a bit. A lot of people that are not familiar with me DJing or some of my music, automatically consider that I play trance or make trance, which I do not at all. So it’s a double edged sword, but again it was a while ago. Maybe I’m not his favorite DJ anymore, ha ha ha!
CD: Who are your top 5 DJs? SD: That’s hard to say. I’ve been locked-up in the studio and touring that I really haven’t seen anyone lately that impressed me enough to get into my top 5.
CD: Technology has advanced production, delivery, and distribution of music. Have you fully migrated to these new technologies? What technological advancement do you like the most? SD: Well I’m not really a computer geek like some guys out there. So I’m always a bit late for all the updates and latest software. Some guys spend all their energy chasing the latest software but then never really finish any songs. I try to get whatever people recommend or that I read somewhere. I wouldn’t say I’m always up to date with everything though.
CD: With music as a career (job), like anyone else who works, you need a break. Do you have special hobbies, love interests, or places you go to get away from it all? SD: Yup! Lately I’ve really been on a health streak so to speak. I go to the gym regularly and ride my bike there and back. I love spending time on the beach. If there's a sunny day, I’m on the beach or doing water sports, wake boarding, etc. This summer, if I have time, I really want to get my skydiving license. You have to do 12 jumps over the period of a few weeks. I already jumped a few times but I really want to be able to just go and jump by myself. I love sports, soccer, beach volley ball, etc. Very rarely will you find me on the couch watching useless TV and just wasting time.
CD: Being in the spotlight all the time, your fans probably know more about you than you know about yourself. What one thing, can you tell us that no one else knows? SD: It’s a secret; otherwise I’ll have nothing else left to hide :)
CD: Your new album “Wanderer” just hit the scene June 9, 2009, how has it been received? SD: Well, I don’t want to sound cocky about it, but honestly I haven’t heard any negative reactions. The people that are working the album such as PR and promotion also came back to me saying that it’s very rare when everyone loves your record and there's no negative feedback at all. So, I guess it was received very well :) I’m happy!
CD: We’ve had the opportunity to listen to “Addicted” by far one of the sexiest tracks out today in the electronic arena. What other titles from your album, “Wanderer” do feel are going to be break out tracks? SD: I think “12 Wives in Tehran”; featuring Nadia Ali's vocals will be another track that really gets a lot of attention, as well as "Take Me with You” with Emma Hewitt. Those are the first 3 singles, so we'll see how they do; but let’s see.
CD: For producers who are just starting out and have a lot of promise in their sound and style, what is one good way for them to launch themselves? SD: These days it’s so competitive and you need so much more than just music. You have to be up-to-date on all the social networking sites. Having great music is a must, but also having a unique brand / image, something that represents you and that nobody else has is also important. You have to be a great social networker, be out there, meet people, go out, and send your music out. Don’t be afraid to work on spec. Always be humble.
CD: Was electronic music always your first choice or did you have other influences growing up?
