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Nicolas Masseyeff: "Emotion is the heartbeat of music"

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5 hours ago
4 min read

Nicolas Masseyeff, passionate about electronic music since 1989, opened Limelight, a record store that became a landmark in southern France. Inspired by genres like minimalism, jazz, and Detroit techno, he started producing in 1998 but truly found his musical identity in 2006. Under his Vedrenn alias, he released the "Hostages" EP and collaborated with artists like Oxia and Stephan Bodzin. His 2011 album "The Motherland" was praised for its emotional depth and innovative sound. Over the years, Nicolas continued exploring new sonic territories with his label Diversions Music and collaborations with artists like Miss Kittin and Kavinsky. His 2022 album ENDLESS, featuring rich atmospheres and immersive sounds, is a testament to his unique vision. In 2024, he continues to evolve with new EPs and remixes, solidifying his place among the global electronic music scene.

Your latest single, "Life Reshade", was recently released on Global Underground. How would you describe the production process behind this track, and what emotion do you hope to convey to the audience?

For "Life Reshade", I wanted to bring a kind of old school-meets-modern vibe — like a bridge between two eras. The production process was quite instinctive: I started by building chords and textures that echoed the electronic sounds of the '90s, but shaped them with a more current, minimal aesthetic in the drums and effects.

It was important for me to keep that analog warmth, almost nostalgic, while pushing it forward with percussive elements and harmonic progressions that take the track somewhere new.

Nicolas, you spent 15 years working as a record dealer before fully focusing on production and DJing. How do you think this experience in the physical music world influenced your approach to music creation and sound selection?

I actually started out as a DJ before have my record store, so my roots have always been in playing and sharing music. But those years working as a record dealer definitely added another layer to how I approach production and sound selection.

Being surrounded by vinyl every day, digging into all kinds of genres and obscure records, really shaped my ear. It taught me to appreciate the depth of sound, the little imperfections, the emotion behind a groove — whether it’s a raw techno cut or a soulful ambient piece.

That experience gave me a kind of instinct for storytelling through music, and it pushed me to stay open-minded in the studio. I’m not chasing trends — I’m chasing a feeling, and I think that comes from years of being immersed in such a wide musical universe.

Throughout your career, you’ve had the opportunity to perform at major festivals and clubs, including SXM Festival, REF Festival, and T7 Club, where you shared the stage with artists like Stephan Bodzin and others. Which experiences at these events have influenced you the most, and how have they contributed to your artistic growth?

Each of those events has left a mark on me in a different way. Playing at SXM Festival, for example, was something really special - the connection between the crowd and the environment is so intense. You're playing with the ocean right there, under the sky, and it brings this kind of emotional openness that pushes you to dig deeper, to be more sincere in your set. REF Festival has its own vibe - super sharp crowd, very tuned in to the music.

It challenged me to be more daring with my selections, to tell a more intricate story. And at T7, sharing the stage with artists like Stephan Bodzin, who I've always respected for his emotional depth and live energy, was incredibly inspiring. Being next to someone like him reminds you of the power of sincerity and vision in music. These kinds of moments help you grow because they force you out of your comfort zone. They make you listen differently, play differently - and most importantly, stay true to what you want to express as an artist.

Your journey has involved numerous projects and collaborations with different labels, such as Crosstown Rebels, Systematic, and Diversions Music. What philosophy guides your musical choices and the selection of the projects you get involved with?

My musical journey has always been guided by a deep sense of authenticity and emotional connection. Whether I'm releasing on Crosstown Rebels, Systematic, or through Diversions Music, my own label, the philosophy remains the same: the music has to speak to me. It needs to have a story, a soul, something that resonates beyond the surface. I'm drawn to projects and collaborations where there's a real exchange - not just of sounds, but of vision and intention.

I don't chase trends or try to fit into boxes; I want the music to feel timeless, to evoke something personal in the listener. That's why I'm selective with what I put out and who I work with. If the energy is right and there's creative freedom, that's when the magic happens. With Diversions Music, it's even more personal — it's a space where I can fully express that ethos and also support artists who share that same passion for deep, honest, and boundary-pushing electronic music.

You are known for your collaborations with artists like Oxia and Parallelle. What inspires you in these projects, and how does the creative chemistry develop in the studio with them?

Collaborating with artists like Oxia and Parallelle has been incredibly inspiring because there's a genuine human connection at the core. With Oxia, we've known each other for a long time — there's this unspoken understanding between us. We don't need to talk much in the studio; things just flow. We have different backgrounds and approaches, but they complement each other. It's a balance between groove, emotion, and sound design - very organic.

With Parallelle, it's a different but equally exciting dynamic. They bring this very musical, almost cinematic approach to production, and I love how adventurous and open-minded they are. Our sessions are not only super creative, but also really fun and funny - I honestly consider them like my little brothers... or maybe even more like my kids! They call me Papa Nico... ahahah! It's always full of laughs, but also filled with respect and inspiration. In both cases, the chemistry comes from trust.

We all leave space for the unexpected, and that's where the most beautiful ideas are born. It's never about forcing things — it's about listening, reacting, and building something together that none of us could create alone.