Poirier Featuring MC Zulu Interview: SXSW 2010

As a yearlong project -- including the EPs 'Soca Sound System,' 'Run the Riddim' and 'Low Ceiling' -- builds up to the April release of the double-length album 'Running High,' Montreal-based DJ and producer Poirier brings his intense dance beats (as well as the MC known as Zulu) back to SXSW in March for the Ninja Tune Showcase. Spinner recently spoke with Poirier as he gears up for the festival.

How would you describe your sound?

It's changed through the years, but right now I would call it electro-slash-Caribbean. Or, a non-musical description: intense joyful.

What are your music's origins?

There was a progression. Starting around 2003, 2004, you could see the first signs of dancehall in the music, the tribal. By '07, '08, with 'No Ground Under,' is when the current sound came together.

What's your musical relationship with MC Zulu?

I work with MC Zulu all the time. He's on the new album for two tracks. I have three main MCs: Face-T, MC Boogat and Zulu. With Zulu, when we work together, it's basically like a sound system: We do the tracks we have together, but also he's able to jump on other people's music and do other tracks. He's very flexible. I DJ, and he's there, and we work togther. It's not planned; well, we know what we have to do! [laughs] But, you know, the structure of it, the progression of it is all pretty looose, and I can flip in a total new direction while I'm playing and he's following me. He's kind of prepared to be unprepared.

What are your musical influences?

There are mainly three big roots: hip hop, dancehall or reggae and, obviously, electronic music. That's what I grew up with. When I started with music, there were two albums that gave me a drive -- the first album by Roots Manuva, 'Brand New Secondhand,' and Rhythm and Sound with Tikiman, an album called 'Showcase.' I remember I was listening obsessively to these. My first music was a rip-off of these albums [laughs]... nobody'd heard them! I was like, "I really like that music, I feel can do music -- let's do it," you know?

How did you get your name?

Poirier is my family name.

What is your biggest vice?

Not sleeping.

What's in your SXSW Festival Survival kit?

The Triple-B Festival Survival Kit: barbecue, beer, and Bounce!

What's your musical "guilty pleasure"?

I really don't have one. I'm pretty cool with just pleasure. I solved that about 10 years ago, not to be ashamed.

You've done extensive touring. Do you have a favorite place you've played?

Every time I go in a country for the first time, I'm always very excited. It's one more level of excitement. Last October, I was in Mexico for the first time. This year, in January, I went to Australia for the second time. It's not like going to New York or something -- New York is only a six-hour drive. It's so far, it's more special, somehow. But at the same time, I can play very small clubs either in Montreal or around in Canada, and I get super excited. It's always a surprise. When I went to Israel, I was like, "Wow." Unusual places give like a certain aura.

What's the craziest thing you've experienced on tour?

The craziest thing? We have a party we organize in Montreal called the Bridge Burner, and that's pretty close to the most crazy and fun thing. It's this big party under an overpass with like 5,000 people. The setup is so unique. It's Montreal at its best.

Holly Quinn is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.