In collaboration with
- Words Notion Staff
- Creative Director Daisy Deane @ DELA.STUDIO
- Director Ayshe Zaifoglu
- Photographer Rashidi Noah
- DOP Toby Leary
- Stylist Carlotta Constant assisted by Mollie French & Annie Gale
- Hair Stylist Shamara Roper assisted by Donica Campbell
- Makeup Artist Maya Man assisted by Tom Easton & Babi Compos
- Set Dresser Piper Samuel
- Producer Elly Craig
- Production Assistants Amy Yates & Olivia Wright
salute discusses their euphoric sound, French house obsessions and being included in Amazon Music Breakthrough UK: Artists To Watch 2024 list, in collaboration with Notion.
If you haven’t seen salute’s euphoric blends sending shockwaves through Warehouse Project, then you may have seen them shutting down Printworks, Drumsheds or any other British superclub. Making techno akin to the shimmering shores of Saint Tropez, there’s a simple philosophy to the 27-year-old’s music: have fun and revel in those moments of unadulterated joy that bring you happiness.
2023 felt like a defining year for salute, who remixed singles by Disclosure and Todd Edwards, the latter of whom they count as one of their biggest inspirations. What’s more, they made their Radio 1 Residency debut, sold out KOKO, supported Jungle and went on a worldwide tour. Not bad for someone who signed to Ninja Tune’s imprint, Technicolour, this year.
Where does your artist name come from?
I was in Paris on a class trip when I was like 16. I was primarily a drum and bass producer beforehand and the salute thing was supposed to be a side project. I didn’t have a name for it. I was stood outside a bakery in Paris, and it said ‘salut’, like a greeting, on the board. I was like 16 and it sounded cool. That was it. I get asked that question all the time, it’s such a lame story... But it’s stuck and it’s been the name for 11 years now.
Where were you born?
I was born in Vienna, Austria. I came over to the UK when I was 18, so in 2014. I go back there all the time because my family’s there, my parents and two brothers. I moved here on my own for uni.
What’s your star sign?
My star sign is Taurus. Apparently, it means I’m grounded and stubborn, which are both correct. Apart from that, I couldn’t tell you.
How do you want your music to make people feel?
My music is pretty euphoric. I love soul and R&B, but I also love French house. So, primarily the feeling I get from the music that I listen to, which influences the music I make, is joy and euphoria. That’s what I want people to feel when they listen to my music.
What’s your favourite part of working in music?
I DJ a lot more now, I’m on tour all the time, but the most exciting thing to me is being in my room making music. I love playing shows and they’re fun, but I’ve always been a producer first and a DJ second. I don’t think that’s ever going to change.
Do you have a pre-show ritual?
My pre-show ritual is to get rid of any other human beings in the green room. As was the case at KOKO last week, I just freaked out because the green room was too busy. I was like, ‘Everyone has to leave now so I can breathe’. Apart from that, I’m usually quite relaxed. It’s just when I do shows like that, that are quite important, I need to be able to not feel suffocated. For the majority of shows I’m just chilling, having a ginger shot.
What’s on your rider?
I used to have gin on my rider. I had it on my rider for like eight years and I got sick of it. Before that it was vodka, and then I drank a bit too much of that. Now I’ve taken all spirits off, now it’s champagne and ginger shots.
What’s your main source of inspiration?
Everything I do is me trying to emulate the people that I love. Daft Punk and Todd Edwards are two of my biggest inspirations. I wouldn’t necessarily say that anything that I do is any more unique than what they do, but it’s my spin on it. If you have a production technique that you use, even though it might be someone else’s production technique, because of the influences that you have, it’s always going to sound different. It’s always going to sound like you. So for me, I sample in similar ways to Daft Punk and Todd Edwards, but because my taste in music is different to theirs, it sounds like me. A lot of my musical inspirations come from outside dance music and it’s more to do with the way they present themselves and their artistry. My favourite artist is Yves Tumor, who is an incredible artist. The way they carry themselves and the way they put together albums is really grandiose and pop-y and over the top. I quite like that. Especially now I’m writing the album, I’ve tended to let that influence the way I’ve made it. I love running. I picked up running during lockdown, like everyone else. I think that’s the thing that clears my head and makes me happy to make music. Apart from that, just normal stuff like going on walks. There’s not really a crazy answer for that. My inspiration will come from walking and listening to music, that’s it.
Which artist, past or present, would you choose for a collaboration?
Not going to lie, I’ve already done so on my album, which was a massive wish list of people I would like to collaborate with. But one person I really want to make music with is Toro y Moi. I think his music is incredible and his past couple of albums have informed the way I produce my music. The way he puts together albums is amazing, it’s inspiring. And Daft Punk, I would love to make music with Daft Punk. Or one of the people that were in the old French house era, like Justice.
Can you describe your sound?
I think, quite plainly, it’s just house music. It’s quite energetic and takes inspiration from French house. It’s very soulful, very melodic, very harmonious. It’s very joyful and quite over–the–top, a lot of the time very dense.
How do you see your sound evolving?
I would like to make really cheesy 80s soul. That is my shit.