Bearer of the kinkiest afro in Paris, Fred Elalouf aka DJ Ooof, is the man behind some of the most “credible” soirées this city has to offer... Solid Water is the longest running night at the Batofar, while DJ Kicks is among the freshest to have appeared during this year’s rentrée.
Fred, what do you think of the current club scene in Paris?
It’s become more exciting recently, because the lineups are more eclectic. Our parties should have as a motto “Expect the Unexpected” because each of them is different from the last. We’ll play hip hop, jazz, funk, soul and hard rock on the same night. In Paris, it’s all about good music or sometimes, about bad music with good humor.
What makes a good night out?
There needs to be a certain amount of expectation, excitation and interaction between the stage and the crowd. That can be attained through MCs and live acts. Then there are painters, graffitti artists, on-the-spot installations and visuals that are adapted to each night. At Solid Water, we have two dance floors with radically different styles of music, so people can move around and experiment. I never liked going out and listening to the same music from the beginning of the evening to the end.
What’s next for your nights?
Made in Boat — the guys responsible for the Batofar’s programming — are moving on because the owner wants to do more commercial stuff. So we’ll be at the Mains d’œuvres, probably before Christmas. DJ Kicks will contnue to showcase ¡K7 artists on the first Thursday of every second month at the Rex. Solid Steel will carry on promoting Ninja Tune artists every last Thursday of the month —, also at the Rex — and then there’s the Ping Pong night at WAGG on the third Thursday of every second month.
Fred’s 3 nights for October
Mercrediz @ Pulp, third Wednesday of every month, 11:30pm, free
Paradise Massage @ Rex, with Detroit house aficionado Serge Nicolas. Oct 10, 11:30pm, 11E
Solid Water @ Batofar, with Cosmo Vitelli, T-Love & Insight, Hazaak and DJ Ooof. Oct 19, 9pm, 9.5E
