tuneage:

Le Sale – In Command (ft. Mavin)

As they say, hindsight is 20/20. We’ve all been in a place where we think everything is wrong. But looking back, it all turned out right — we’re stronger than we think. The new song by Austria based, French DJ Samuel Fedy, In Command, is a jaunty reminder that you’re in control of your life. These soulful lyrics sit atop a driving base with a heavy counter-melody that makes your booty want to shake. The house influenced disco beat is perfect for grooving on the dance floor or while you’re getting in that party mood.

The song is the first release off LaSale’s latest EP and our favorite. LaSale might be best when he has a collaborator to work with, and in Mavin, a Berlin based singer and writer, he’s found a match that yields heavenly results. So, we decided to chat with Mavin to find out what’s behind that heavenly voice.

Tuneage: So, my first question is: How did this song come about?

Mavin: I started working with Samuel (LaSale) on a few ideas right after my Manhooker – Pushin’ & Shovin’ release on LuvShack’s label a few months back. I met Samuel in Berlin and we discussed a possible collaboration. He then sent me the instrumental ideas for two songs he was working on. One of them was called ‘Italian Girl’ and it got me inspired straight away to write lyrics, a melody line and so on…I renamed it to ‘In Command’.

Tuneage: What was the process of creation?

Mavin: I got instantly inspired by the instrumentation and the overall feeling of the track. It didn’t take long to find a strong melody for the verses and the hooks (I usually always write complete songs, never just loops, the classic song structure is very important to me).The beats and the bass-line have a strong energy to it, so I thought about writing something reflective,yet optimistic. I invited my friend Marie-Éve (from the band Magnolia Turner & The Golden Eve) into the studio to help me out with the background vocals cause I wanted a soft moody background choir (preferably sung by a female with a low register). She nailed it instantly.

Tuneage: You mentioned you have some projects in the works. Can you tell us a bit about them?

Mavin: I have just released some singles as a collaborator in the recent months, the biggest one of them being featured on Massimiliano Pagliara’s 2nd album, With One Another. Our track is called We Have Time. I worked with Massi on his first album a few years back writing and contributing. I am just on the verge of releasing my first solo single, titled ‘Still Believe’ on the Berlin label Pakalolo Soundlab. It was produced by Snax, who I started to work with full-time, forming a songwriting/production team named Bonomo/LeMagass. We started writing songs for other artists and we are currently in discussions with labels and publishing companies to release a couple of tracks for others and we’re always looking for new collaborators.

Tuneage: Who are some of your influences?

Mavin: I was always drawn to club/dance music. I love soul and R&B, but pop in its original form (something with hooks and a strong song structure) are my weakness. I’m a sucker for good music, period. Artists like George Michael, Jody Watley, Sylvester, Prince, Roisin Murphy, Soul II Soul and the Pet Shop Boys are among my favorites and are cherished by me for various reasons.

Tuneage: What’s your go to song to get ready to go out?

Mavin: Depending on the mood I’m in but probably Jody Watley’s, Don’t You Want Me.

Tuneage: What’s your go to song for those intimate times?

Mavin: TLC – Red Light Special and Grace Jones ‘Pull Up To The Bumper’.

Tuneage: Besides you and LaSale, who are some artists we should be looking out for?

Mavin: Perel, Per Qx, Vermelho, Rotciv, Adam Joseph and obviously Snax.

Tuneage: If you were to describe yourself as an ice cream flavor, what would it be?

Mavin: That’s an easy one: Strawberry/Lemon (with a bit of whipped cream on top).