Norman Doray: House Music’s Biggest Innovator [Interview]

In a diverse sea of popular music, Norman Doray stands out as the producer whom covers house music on all cylinders. He pushes the envelope of his own genre crossing over into uncharted musical territory. His new double-disc compilation album ‘Strictly Ibiza To Amsterdam’ is one of 2011′s must listens. One disc dubbed ‘Day’ is a disco influenced happy-vibe album, and the other ‘Night’ brings the late night club action back into play. His hit single ‘Kalifornia’ has been a massive success while his newest track ‘Breakaway’ is rapidly becoming wide spread. The veteran has played the show of all shows with Swedish House Mafia in Ibiza and has established a presence in the USA at the Winter Music Conference as well. In case you have been sleeping on Norman Doray, I am here to wake you up. Our interview with the man himself from NYC will give you a little insight on one of the most innovative DJs we know today.

Your compilation album, Strictly Ibiza to Amsterdam is a 2-disc album, “Day” and “Night”. What are the two sides of Norma Doray and how was that reflected in this album?

When they asked me to do the compilation they said ‘ok we want you do to this compilation but something a bit different, add your own vibe and make it personal’. I’ve always been influenced by disco and funky music as well as progressive big room music that I am playing every night in the clubs. So I figured I would do 2 discs: first disc is ‘Day’ with the disco-groovy-feeling-vibe tracks. Also the ‘Night’ disc with all the music I play when I’m touring.

The single “Kalifornia” is also on that compilation, can you tell us about the production behind that track?

I thought of this track 2 years ago for Winter Music Conference 2009. I wanted to change a little bit; at that time I was doing a lot of progressive stuff. I wanted to show the people I could do something different and surprise the crowd. I came with the disco vibe; a bit of a tribute to what Daft Punk and all those guys did. After the WMC we had a ton of you tube views so I wanted to release the song right away. We came into clearance problems with the sample and it took us 2 years to get the sample cleared. Since then, the music scene has changed into a different sound so I didn’t know whether to trash it or release it. But I do this because I love the music so I had to release it. One of my best friends David Tort did a remix and brought today’s sound into it; a mix between the disco vibe and big sound festival vibe.

So you’ve been getting a ton of feedback on twitter about your single ‘Breakaway’, how is that song coming to light and what kind of feedback are you getting from your fans in general?

I was not expecting so much love for that track. The people are just crazy about it. It is perfect for me I am really glad the people are showing me love. Its more progressive than ‘Kalifornia’ but gives the people good vibes and emotion. People are telling me they love it because it is beautiful, and when they tell me that I am just like ‘wow’.

You had a very exciting summer, what can you tell us about your experience in Ibiza?

It was my 5^th year in Ibiza, but this summer with the new crowd coming from both America and Europe created something crazy. This new place called Ushuaia opened over there, and I had the best show of my life over there when I played with Swedish House Mafia.

You’ve been playing shows in America this fall, what’s that touring been like?

I did a tour here in September and it was amazing so when they told me to come back and play more I was like ‘forsure lets do it’ and I did 10 gigs in 12 days, it was amazing. I discovered new places – San Diego at the Voyeur and I played Miami again that was amazing. The United States is the shit.

Do you have a most memorable touring moment?

For the US; I have always big a fan of LA. Growing up I always wanted to go there. When they told me I would be playing there and I was really excited. The first time I pressed the ‘record’ button in LA it was a great feeling like ‘ok, I’m here in the city’ not like a tourist, but like an artist.

What are you listening to right now? What can we find on Norman Doray’s iPod?

I listen to a bunch of house of course, but a lot of other music as well it is good for inspiration. In my top 5 I always have disco and pop rock. I love this French group, Housse de Racket, stupid name but they make really good music. I love the Rapture as well. I love pop rock with an electro feeling. I love the new Coldplay album as well. I can listen to many things, even Jazz as well, always looking for inspiration.

How about on your Strictly album, what are the biggest tracks on there?

There is a track on there ‘Last Forever’ that I made, and I made a special bootleg of it for the album. I heard people have loved it. It is a special song that can only be found on the album.

What is the next month or so looking like, do you have any tour stops or studio sessions that you are especially looking forward to?

Now just doing a crazy run of touring, trying to spread ‘Kalifornia’ and ‘Breakaway’. Then I have a new collaboration coming with Laidback Luke. I have 2 or 3 more singles coming. I am getting everything together for 2012.

Kalifornia