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In an age where the realms of electronic music have become saturated and similar, true musical integrity and originality are fast becoming key indicators of success. French producer Behdad Nejatbakhshe, aka UPPERMOST, has got both of these in abundance.
Hailing from Paris, Behdad grew up during the heyday of the French Touch movement, surrounding himself with the sounds of Daft Punk and Justice, which would later go on to influence his distinctive and far-reaching style.
In 2011, the young Parisian began producing Electro-House, serving up official remixes for the likes of Dada Life and Lemaitre, and releasing on esteemed imprints including Ministry Of Sound and Sony BMG. Support from Tiësto and Steve Angelo soon followed, with Uppermost gaining traction stateside as his fan-base grew in size and loyalty.
A year later and the young Parisian was lighting up the airwaves with hits including ‘Flashback’ and ‘Beautiful Light’ which now have had collectively over 10 million views on YouTube and 4 millions streams on Spotify. Fast forward to 2015 and Behdad was turning heads again with the release of his New Moon EP – described by Your EDM as ‘everything that French House should be these days’. Further praise and support followed, with THUMP tipping him to be ‘the next big thing in French House’, and SPIN featuring his collaboration with Jacob Banks on ‘Blame It On Love’.
Uppermost returns this month with a new EP, ‘IMPACT’. Including 6 sublime tracks that delve into his many veins of creativity, this release will undoubtedly display Uppermost’s ability to create both emotive, as well as club-ready cuts.
Keep up to date with everything Uppermost via his socials:
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Hi Behdad, please tell us a little about you and how you got started on your musical journey.
Hi guys, my musical journey started back in 2008 when I started to get really interested by the electronic music scene, I knew it could be an amazing opportunity for me to express creativity and share emotion.
Which artists and styles inspired and influenced you?
At that time I listened to a lot of tracks by deadmau5, Wolfgang Gartner, together with some classic French House. I started to really like the incredible energy that dance music can instantly bring you.
What was the first gig you ever played and where was it held?
I played in some Parisian bars at the time but my first official gig was held in Zürich in 2012, it was definitely a crazy night!
Best stage you have ever played?
I’d say Solidays 2015, the crowd was going crazy under the sun, everything about that gig was pretty much insane.
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Describe your sound in 3 words?
Instinctive, emotional, positive.
Top three favorite songs at the moment?
Helix by Flume, Parallel Lines by A-Trak, Moonraker by Chrome Sparks.
How did your track “Disco Kids” end up for the Mercedes-Benz Lewis Hamilton’s celebration campaign?
This is the result of an amazing push by my publisher’s creative team since Daft Punk were also involved at the start of this project.
Tell us the story behind your video to “Impact”.
“Impact” is the 2nd music video of the EP following the lead single “Hold Me Up”. I wanted to explore the instinctive boost of energy that inspired the original track. It is about the expression of raw emotion that you can unfold when you’re feeling weak and vulnerable.
What’s your favorite club to DJ in?
Paris Social Club had a very unique atmosphere, I loved playing there but it unfortunately closed a few days ago.
What advice would you give to aspiring Producers and DJs?
Try to have as much fun as possible while also improving your craft. That way you will be very perseverant without even noticing how much effort you’re putting into it. Everything you do, do it with passion.
If you could choose any place to live where would it be?
I really love Paris a lot but I can’t imagine myself stuck in one place forever. So I would probably stay on the move from San Francisco, NYC, to Paris, Berlin and Amsterdam. I love each of these cities.
What do you do in your spare time?
I like to spend time hanging out with friends, playing video games, working out, but music always takes the lead.
Three things you can’t live without?
Music, inspiration, and my laptop.
What projects are you currently working on and what can we expect from you for the rest of 2016?
I’m working on a new single for the following months together with a few remixes and collaboration projects. I will also be livestreaming a few DJ mixes soon!
Quote: “The power of imagination makes us infinite.”
Movie: Interstellar
Travel Destination: Nepal
Drink: Mojito
Celebrity Crush: Leighton Meester
Hobby: Tennis
Actress/Actor: Christian Bale
Sport team: Atlético Madrid
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