Franck

Franck’s tagline is simple yet profound: “To bring a dunt to every dancefloor and ensure everyone has had a healthy amount of fun.”

But does this mantra extend beyond the music? Is it a reflection of a cultural or emotional philosophy?

“Look, I don’t take myself or life too seriously, and that also comes through in my music, I think. A lot of my chat is quite tongue-in-cheek as well, and I try to just have a laugh although I think there is a slight underlying philosophy. There is definitely a place in the scene for very well thought-out methodical sets, experimental tunes, weird time signatures, and a crowd full of chin-strokers, and that is fine, but I’m not here to serve that market. I’m here to play to the people that want to come out, have a dance with their mates, and hear some big bangers, or as I’d like to call it—a dunt!”

For Franck, creating unforgettable moments means focusing on fun, energy, and crafting memories. He shares,

“While I like to craft out my sets to have a focus on building energy and, of course, a lot of ‘serious’ tracks and technical mixing, I’m not afraid to drop a cheeky edit here or there because my main goal is for people to have fun and create some memories.”

Franck’s music radiates energy and joy, but what deeper layers underpin his sound? Reflecting on his upcoming releases for 2024, he explains:

“I think my music is constantly evolving, and this is natural with everything in life. I don’t think your tastes and your vibe are destined to stay stagnant, and you need to embrace change. I feel this was the idea behind my track ‘The Perpetual Journey of Self-Discovery’—a musical summary of my artist evolution.”

Finding balance between creating dancefloor hits and telling deeper stories is essential.

“There’s a lot of pressure on producers to kind of have their own ‘sound’; however, I think this can come naturally over time as you find out what works for you and what you want to lean more into, and this is what I’d say happened for me. Almost unintentionally, I’ve crafted my own sound, and a lot of people can recognize my tracks without knowing who it is.”

For Franck, it’s about channeling his inspirations while evolving his artistry.

“For me, this sound is akin to a lot of the classic dance tracks that inspired me from the beginning, which often have a big vocal or lead, so this is something I try to focus on when making new tunes. Although I think next year I will also take time to make some lesser dancefloor-orientated music to convey some more ideas.”

His approach reflects a balance between honoring the past—through the use of prominent vocals or leads—and evolving his sound by branching out into new creative territories. His openness to explore different musical ideas, such as making less dancefloor-oriented music, suggests a desire to push boundaries and grow as an artist. It’s exciting to see someone with that level of self-aw

As Hard Bounce evolves, Franck finds himself at the forefront of innovation.

“It’s funny; I kind of joke around on social media and say I started Hard Bounce, but just to clarify, I’m aware it was a genre before. On a more serious note, however, I do feel this name has taken on a new, more modern version of itself which isn’t unheard of, much like Skream Dubstep vs. Skrillex Dubstep.”

Franck’s perspective on Hard Bounce is insightful and shows his deep involvement in its evolution. His humor in claiming to have "started" the genre reveals a light-hearted self-awareness, while his recognition of its origins reflects a more grounded understanding of musical history. The comparison between the transformations of Dubstep—like Skream’s vs. Skrillex’s sound—perfectly captures the dynamic nature of genres and how they can evolve over time.

Franck’s interpretation highlights the genre’s unique characteristics:

“My personal interpretation is that it’s a genre mainly characterized by its ‘bouncy’ style, often using an offbeat bassline. Stylistically, it is similar to Hard House but has the pace and urgency of techno and some of the melodics of trance. It also separates itself from the older version, I believe, as it’s less of an OG donk sound to it.”

This evolution comes with risks and creative freedom.

“It’s cool to see music hybrids form over the years as certain styles become more popular, and it’s certainly a sound I like to play a lot in my sets. There’s something about that offbeat bass that just gets me going; it’s so fun and energetic. To feel I can be someone that has pushed forward a genre and been a part of shaping the musical landscape I find myself in is a really cool feeling.”

The risks and creative freedom Franck acknowledges are part of the thrill of being at the forefront of such an evolution. His excitement about pushing the genre forward and feeling part of its shaping speaks to his genuine passion for the music. It’s clear that Franck’s role in this transformation isn't just about playing a particular sound—it's about contributing to the broader evolution of dance music. His energy, fun, and commitment to the genre’s future are palpable, and it’s exciting to see how he’ll continue to influence it.

Franck is also diving into new creative partnerships in 2024.

“Collaboration between artists is a great idea when it works, I think. Whether it’s b2b or producing a track together, if you have a similar style, it can really complement one another, or just different enough, it can create some new hybrids. I’m all for it, and it’s something I’m looking to explore next year—both sides of it.”

He’s eager to work with friends and colleagues he admires.

“There’s a lot of artists, whether it’s friends or colleagues, that I really admire and believe we can create some magic if we put our heads together either in the studio or behind the decks.”

Franck’s thoughts on collaboration reflect a thoughtful and open-minded approach to working with others. He understands that successful collaborations stem from a shared style or even from contrasting elements that can create something fresh. His enthusiasm for exploring both b2b performances and studio work signals a desire to grow and experiment, showing he’s keen to expand his creative horizons in 2024. It's clear that he values working with artists he respects, believing that great things can happen when like-minded or complementary people come together—whether it’s behind the decks or in the studio.

With a global tour spanning continents,Franck’s adaptability is key.

“A lot of understanding crowds in different locations just comes through experience, I reckon. When you’ve played somewhere once or a couple of times, you’re able to gauge what sort of styles are working, any tracks that have got a good reaction; even sometimes the pace at which I mix can depend on where I am.”

Cultural immersion also plays a role.

“Part of it is also just being very invested in the scene, whether that’s from speaking to people or being chronically online. For example, I’d say I have a fairly good grasp on the Melbourne scene, and a lot of that has come from just watching TikToks and reading comments, etc., which is pretty silly. Ultimately, the crowd can always be different on the night, so while I might use my experience and knowledge to prepare, I always feel I’m able to adapt on the fly.”

Franck sees the rise of Hard Bounce in diverse regions.

“In hotspots like Berlin, I think we’re seeing a slight shift from traditional or hard techno to music with more trancey elements. I’ve noticed in the Netherlands that the Hard House sound is kind of making a comeback, and a lot of the Dutch artists are pushing that forward. Of course, in Australia, it’s becoming pretty big alongside Hard Groove, which a lot of the folk over there are pushing.”

Franck’s observation of the rise of Hard Bounce in different regions is fascinating. His awareness of trends in places like Berlin, the Netherlands, and Australia shows he is actively keeping an eye on the evolving landscape of dance music. The mention of Hard Bounce blending with trancey elements and the resurgence of Hard House highlights the genre’s adaptability and its appeal across different global scenes. Overall, Franckseems deeply engaged with the music world—not only as an artist but also as someone who is constantly learning and evolving based on his experiences and observations.

Franck’s label, Carouse, embodies his vision for Hard Bounce’s future. The label's philosophy centered on quality and cultural impact resonates strongly. In a time when music production has become more accessible and the barriers to entry are lower, Franck's focus on maintaining high standards and ensuring each release is something he personally believes in is refreshing.

“It’s a very humbling idea to think that, and I can only thank the artists for trusting us with their music. To think the label is not only pushing this sound forward but also inspiring the next generation is a really amazing thought, but it also comes with some responsibility.”

The label’s philosophy is rooted in quality and cultural impact. This approach not only strengthens the label’s credibility but also reinforces its reputation for being a platform that values authenticity and musical integrity.

“We’re always focused on ensuring the releases are of high quality and are tracks that I personally love and would play. In an industry where the barriers to entry can be quite low now, I think a label can act as a form of credibility and a seal of approval that the music is of a decent standard.”

Franck’s thoughts on Carouse reveal a deep sense of responsibility and pride in the label’s role in advancing Hard Bounce and shaping the future of the genre. His acknowledgment that the label is not just pushing the sound forward but also inspiring the next generation shows a genuine commitment to leaving a lasting legacy. This perspective is important for someone in his position—understanding that his influence extends beyond his own music and into the careers of the artists he works with.

As both an artist and label head, Franck balances nurturing talent with his own creativity.

“Luckily, I have my friend Adam (shoutout Adam) acting as the Label Manager, so he’s able to help me with a lot of the administrative tasks that come with running a label. With Adam handling a lot of that, it gives me the time to focus more on the A&R side of things and the creative elements of the label.”

For Franck, the future is about inspiring others and fostering community.

“The main thing for me is to be able to inspire others and create emotions and memories. Music is a universal language, and I think it’s beautiful in the way it can bring people together. Dance music itself is built upon ideas of respect and inclusiveness, and the more people we can get on board with that, the more memories that can be created together.”

Even as he plans for his legacy, Franck’s focus remains on connecting with audiences.

“Specifically from the label side of things, I take a lot of joy in the idea that I can help elevate and guide someone’s career as I know how important this can be, as it was for me. Even when my DJ’ing days have passed, I’m sure we will continue to run Carouse or pass it on for its legacy to keep being written and be a part of dance music history.”