The Standard

This Friday, Let’s Play House is back at Le Bain with its own Jacques Renault - back from a World Tour - and Eugene, aka EUG, the DJ behind one of the best parties in San Francisco, FACE. We followed Jacques in the Jetlag Zone for a Standard Q&A.

Jacques Renault (photo by Tiger Tiger)

The Standard: Jacques, we are glad to have you back for Let’s Play House this Friday. You have been touring the last few months, what did you miss the most about New York?

Jacques Renault: I love to travel but there really is nothing like coming home. I miss my friends, the food, the hustle, the vibe, and life of this city. These are the things that drive and motivate me―I don’t think I could live anywhere else.

How do you deal with girlfriend when you tour so much?

It doesn’t work so well, I don’t have a girlfriend (Laughing).

What was the most surprising gig you played outside NY in the last few months?

Definitely tough to choose one, but I played after Empire of the Sun at a stadium festival in Monterrey, Mexico. Not only was that the biggest crowd I’ve ever been in front of, but also the shortest set I’ve ever played―just 35 minutes!

How did you manage a 35 minutes set?

I hit them with all that I got and it worked.

What track drove the crowd crazy?

Big moments were my Breakbot remix, Justin V’s “Clapping Song,” and Psychemagik’s “Carnaval De Tracoso”…

What was the most inspiring place you visited?

Lisbon or Bondi Beach, Sydney. I like to be on the rocks by the water.

You have been playing the violin since you are 4 and moved from Washington to Chicago in 1997 to study classical music. There you tapped into the drum’n’bass scene. It seems it was your first step into your dance music career. What was so great about it?

I was first attracted to DJ’ing when I went to a party in D.C. that was all jungle, soul, dancehall. I was into the fast breaks and the production. Since I was in bands, playing different instruments, recording, playing out occasionally, I saw DJ’ing as something I could do on my own. I was just figuring out what direction to go and drum ‘n’ bass was so specific that I got into it easily.

You moved to New York in 2002 and to House and Disco. Since then you have been one of New York favorite house DJ and producer and one of the most hyper active. How do you set your priorities?

I have to juggle a lot but I really enjoy all the angles of the music industry. I tend to think that no matter what you choose to do in life, we all have to hustle at least a bit to find success.

What is your definition of succeeding in New York?

New York isn’t for everyone, but if you can keep up with the pace and add your touch to what is or not yet happening, you’ll love being here and do well for yourself. There is plenty of opportunity here, you just need to balance yourself and get into it.

Jacques Renault performs at Standard Downtown Hollywood (video by Tiger Tiger)

What is your motto in life?

Do what you’re passionate and proud about.

And behind the desks?

Nobody’s gonna get into unless I am.

If the 4-year-old violin player Jacques would see today’s DJ Jacques, what he would become, what do you think he would think?

My nephew is 6 and he thinks I’m a secret agent - I’d probably wonder the same thing… (laughing)

What are your earliest memories of parties as a kid?

I didn’t get into dance music until ‘97 so I only read about what was happening in magazines. I’ll never forget the few that I went to in D.C., that’s for sure. But it was all a stepping stone to what I later would be exposed to in Chicago. Daft Punk was at the first rave I ever went to―that one will never fade from memory!

If you had the power to travel in time and space, where and when would you go as a music lover?

I don’t know, probably the 1960s into the 70s. Those were key decades that built up to what’s happening now―when and where modern popular music of whatever variety really originated.

Your are playing with Eugene from San Francisco this Friday at Le Bain. On top of having you back, what makes Eugene at this Friday’s Let’s Play House unmissable?

On top of being one of my good friends, Eug is an incredible taste-maker and one of the best DJs I know. And I really dig his Public Release label as well as the parties he puts on in S.F.

This Friday October 7, Le Bain presents Let’s Play House featuring Jacques Renault and EUG (FACE, San Francisco).