We sit down with French DJ, producer and MONUMENTAL Tour boss Michael Canitrot to celebrate his latest release on Wagram Music ‘Momentum’. We discuss architecture, music, the tour and more.
Hi Michael. Pleasure to have you with us. How are you?
Michael Canitrot: I’m great, thanks. A pleasure to meet you too.
You’re a busy man! What have been the highlights of your 2023?
Michael Canitrot: 2023 has been very busy indeed. I just finished a tour with my
MONUMENTAL TOUR concept, performing in several monuments in France. I’ve also
been asked for two more shows this month, which I couldn’t refuse. It’s difficult to choose
which shows have been the most exciting, as each venue is different and tells a unique
story. However, performing in front of 22,000 people at Place Stanislas in Nancy this
September was both super impressive and rewarding. All the shows so far have been very
inspiring.
Let’s jump straight into the obvious topic. Tell us about the conception of your
MONUMENTAL creation. How did you get into architecture, and where did you draw the
link between that and music?
Michael Canitrot: I’ve always been a fan of electronic music, architecture, and heritage.
I’m passionate about all these subjects, and Monumental Tour is finally the culmination of
these passions. For me, producing music and choosing the environment in which I’m going
to perform it is an integral part of the creative process. It’s inspiring, and this fusion of
electronic music, digital art, and heritage is something I’m very proud of. On the one hand,
it’s a way of showcasing heritage in a new light, but it’s also a way of continuing to
democratize electronic music by presenting it in a different context.
What has been your favorite MONUMENTAL experience?
Michael Canitrot: All of them have been incredible, really. It’s been an amazing journey.
Each monument has a different architecture and soul, so we need to adapt our shows to
each venue. It’s always breathtaking to see it come to life, but probably the Mont Saint
Michel abbey was the most unforgettable one. The place and the energy there are unique.
It’s a very powerful place.
Can you tease us with any further locations we can expect in the near future?
Michael Canitrot: The next show will be in Italy on October 20th at Palazzo Ducale. It’s
the first ‘Monumental Tour’ in Italy, and I’m sure it’s going to be very special! Then, on
October 28th, I will perform at the Château de Villers-Cotterêts for the opening of the
French Language Museum. I’m also preparing a very special collaboration for the end of
the year in Paris. Stay tuned for more information!
Tell us about your ‘Momentum’ release on Wagram Music. What’s the inspiration behind it?
Michael Canitrot: My idea was to create a track that would set the ideal scene for the
Monumental Tour, a sort of synthesis of the universe I wanted to present. There’s this
cinematic, epic dimension that’s also very powerful. The beats are heavy and percussive,
but the keyboards take you elsewhere and open up slowly. It’s an emotional journey for
me.
And how did you come to land on Wagram? What’s the relationship there?
Michael Canitrot: I first released a few tracks by myself, distributed by Alter K. Then,
Thibaut Casanova, the A&R of Wagram Music International, whom I’ve known for a long
time, got interested and proposed to sign me. The relationship has been growing in a good
way since. Wagram is among the biggest independent labels in France. It’s great to have a
strong team and still remain in the indie world.
What track never leaves your USB?
Michael Canitrot: My private remix of Moby’s “Go.”
What other artists are inspiring you at the moment?
Michael Canitrot: Many artists, such as M83, Prydz, Super Flu, Tale of Us, Fred Again,
CamelPhat, Bicep, and the classics from Laurent Garnier to Daft Punk… Too many to
mention!
What music do you listen to outside of the electronic spectrum?
Michael Canitrot: A bit of everything, from classical music to soul. But at the moment, I’m
more in a phase of listening to William Orbit and Vangelis.
What do you like to do to relax outside of the studio/DJ booth?
Michael Canitrot: I visit monuments! Always in search of new places and the perfect
settings for the next shows. Of course, as a French person, I also enjoy good food,
experiencing new restaurants.
What is your favorite heritage site/building?
Michael Canitrot: For everything it represents and my attachment to it since childhood:
Mont Saint Michel. I also love the Château de Fontainebleau, for which I had the honor of
being the patron during its restoration.