Kiss History

THE MIDNIGHT MIX PRESENTS: PARDON MY FRENCH 20 October 2011

Pardon My French are one of Kiss' Midnight Mix duos who also played out a wireless this year. Pardon My French are Luke Sutton and Timothy Smith, two DJs from Bristol who delve into disco, radio shows, house music, throwing parties, italo, as well as introducing new music via their website. Luke & Tim also broadcast an irregular podcast which is downloadable at the PMF website, supplying new tunes, general musings and exclusive guest mixes.

How did you become one of our midnight mix DJs?

L - We sent one of our mixes in via the Kiss website and next thing we knew it was being broadcasted on the radio!

When/how did Pardon my French come together?

T - Me and Luke valiantly tried to put on nights in our home town playing dancey indie. We got asked to do a radio show at 'Hub Radio' every Monday. We needed a name and one of our main concerns was swearing on air. When you say a naughty word, you say "pardon my French". So we rolled with that as a permanent reminder of professionalism which we still maintain today! 

And before that, what was your path to becoming a DJ?

T - I started DJing at my home town's indie nights before I knew that being a DJ was a thing. DJing at my uni union bar, highjacking house parties and scaring people with disco tempos.

L - I began messing around with DJ programs on my laptop and then eventually learn to use CD decks when we started our Hub Radio show. 

Who do you like to listen to on Kiss?

T - I like stepping into another musical dimension with Rodigan. The music he plays is strange to me but I know I'm in safe hands.

L - I enjoy the eclecticness (is that a word?) of Sinden's show. 

Is there one Radio DJ who you love or who inspires you? 

L - Radcliffe & Maconie. Great music and great banter.

T - Tony Blackburn.

 And the same for Club DJs? 

T - Yacht Rock, Soul Clap, Lindstrom to name a few 

L - and Bristol's Kelly Twins have an amazing collection, it's a real education watching them play. 

What or whose music inspired you growing up?

T - DFA Records, LCD Soundsystem, Soulwax Nite Versions, Moby, Interpol, NME Nu Rave Tour, Jimi Hendrix, Thin Lizzy, Chemical Brothers, MTV 2

L - Beatles, Al Green, The Carpenters, Hall & Oates, Rolling Stones, Kraftwerk, Beach Boys, and most of the above. 

Is there a typical working day for you guys?

T - I don’t have a routine but I probably need one.

L - Working at a magazine in Bristol, interspersed with ping-pong tournaments.

 What’s your favourite track when DJing? 

L - At the moment, one of my favourites is a remix by Lukas, who is also from Bristol, it's his remix of Crazy P 'Changes' and it's GREAT.

T- Not going to tell you my secret weapons but Psychemagik's Edit of 'Everywhere' by Fleetwood Mac is everyone elses secret weapon so it doesn't make a difference!

Do you have a career highlight yet?

T - Alfresco Disco - we had the honour of playing at Bristol's mysterious Alfresco disco boys, in the woods, massive sound system, need I say more.

L - DJing at Glastonbury with members of Hercules & Love Affair dancing on the stage to our set. 

And what’s your biggest aspiration for the future?

L - More boat parties, more pool parties, and Ibiza sets.

T - I want to confuse lots of Frenchman with a gig in Paris. 

The music industry can be a tough, have you found it hard to make a name for yourself. What’s the hardest part of being in the music business?

T - Be tough but nice. Think differently but have fun. Always have fun. 

L - I echo Tim's 'Always have fun,' otherwise it's a bit pointless. 

What did it mean to you to be on the Midnight Mix?

T - It validated all that time, sweat and money that we had put into this creation that we'd made. And it's always nice when people think you've got a good taste in music.

L - It was great for Kiss to pick it out of the many mixes they must be sent, that was a real honour. 

Looking forward to the rest of the year, do you have lots plans for the coming months or do you just take each week as it comes? 

L - We've got the busy club season coming up and we're playing at Annie Mac presents in Bristol, the Big Chill birthday with house legend, Robert Owens. Then we have a few more instalments of our Pardon My Friends parties as well as a new Sunday day party starting in a couple of weeks which we're very excited about. 

Always a difficult question but do you have a favourite all time track?

T - LCD Soundsystem - Losing My Edge

L - My all-time favourite track changes on an hourly basis. Torn by Natalie Imbruglia is good though, eh?

Or perhaps artist? 

L - without wishing to be completely obvious... The Beatles.

Who do you predict is going to be big in 2012? 

L - Javeon McCarthy, hugely talented singer from Bristol, has guested on a number of records for Joker and Julio Bashmore, I can see him being number 1 someday. Also, a mysterious duo called Behling & Simpson are making some great slower jams, which have been appearing on Bristol's Futureboogie label. I guess, Bristol will be big(ger) in 2012.

T - I agree with Luke, I want to see Fabrizio Mammarella in clubs everywhere. Just generally, slower will be bigger.

Check out Pardon My French chatting to Kiss at Wireless.