Julien Racine is a multidisciplinary sound artist and performer based in Montréal. Since 2013, he has been actively self-releasing albums as Racine, Rabieto and as a member of Dolphin Dream Pyramids. Composing in a variety of styles ranging from techno to film soundtracks, his latest album Des milliers de fenêtres leans ambient in nature and marks his first release for Montréal’s Archipel Musique. 

MiLLENNiAL caught up with him to learn more about his musical style and what we can expect from his upcoming performance at MUTEK 2017.

What is signature about your music?

Not sure. Hard question. Maybe the way my music always ends up to be a bit maximalist even if I want it to be simple and refined. Every project I start, I have a new obsession with a particular sound. It helps me to stay away from redundancy. It’s hard for me to define my signature, because I think it’s as simple as what I feel emotionally at the very moment I produce and design sounds. Inevitably, this is what makes it unique.

What is your relationship to Montreal? (i.e. do you live here, have you moved here, did you used to live here)

I used to live in Hull, just across Ottawa. I went to Montreal after moving out from my parents’ house. I was in search of something bigger, to be part of a huge community of fellow artists and to make music with them. I don’t regret my choice, I feel very good in this city. It’s cute, people are fun and the food is awesome since it’s really multicultural.

Name your three favorite sounds.

1st – the sound of the wind whistling in my ears

2nd – Virtually all the sounds from Japanese video games’ menus.

3rd – When the gas furnace turns on at my parent’s house.

Which genre of electronic music do you most identify with and how do you see it changing over the next few years?

Mostly ambient. I think it’s in the process of making it’s own place in pop culture. It’s no longer « osé » and weird to do ambient, and that’s not a bad thing at all. The good part is there will be less dudes making drones and noise with their pedal board thinking it’s really edgy and relevant.

What excites you about performing at MUTEK and what can we expect from your set?

What excites me most is the fact I will play in a brand new venue and to be part of an impressive line up. I hope the sound will be good. You can expect what you want…but it won’t be like that! 

Be sure to follow Julien Racine on Facebook to follow his unique ambient sonic expression.