IN CONVERSATION WITH MAC DECLOS

interview by MAGDALENA ROE

An artist who not only plays music but lives and breathes it, shaping sound as an extension of self, Mac Declos is a Paris-based producer and DJ whose music has never been confined to a single genre or scene. Influenced by his family’s musical past and shaped by years spent dancing, listening, and creating, his sound is a reflection of emotion and intuition.

Now, with his second album ‘MTY-013, Nothing Stands Still’ set to drop in September 2025, Declos dives headfirst into a genre-fluid world, blending house, techno, ambient, pop, UK garage, experimental textures, and electronica into a project that refuses to sit still, much like himself. Built around the concept of time and its quiet, powerful rhythms, the album captures both introspection and movement, reflecting a mindset in motion shaped by travel, transformation, and the hunger to create.

In our conversation, Mac opened up about the roots that have shaped his identity, the role of time in life and art, and the beauty of staying grounded while always moving forward. From mixing house tracks for his mother’s jazz dance classes to crafting an intimate and honest album featuring family recordings, Antonin’s journey through sound is as personal as it is powerful. 

Just ahead of the full release, Declos offers a first glimpse with ‘Sexiness’, building a bridge between his very first releases and his new chapter – a vocal-driven, club-ready single that channels tension, groove, and a certain kind of sweaty confidence.

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polo LACOSTE
coat HIGHTLIGHT STUDIO
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pants LAUNCHMETRICS
shoes CAMPER

What roots and influences have shaped your sound into what it is today?

As a child, I was more drawn to jazz and soul. Growing up, music, and especially these genres were always present. Through my mom and dad, I’ve had a strong connection to music from a very young age. And with this album, I’ve really returned to my roots. I’ve been exploring a broader spectrum of tempos and melodies, and approaching composition in a new and different way. It’s about reconnecting with where I began.

What’s your family background?

My mom is from Martinique, so that’s where part of my roots lie. My dad’s from western France – that’s actually where they met. She used to model and dance on TV shows, she was really into jazz dance. When she met my dad, who’s a jazz guitarist, she started singing, and they ended up forming a band together. I’ve been surrounded by music for as long as I can remember.

And another big influence looking back? 

House music! I started DJing when I was around 18. But even before that, my mom was a huge influence. I used to mix house tracks during her dance classes. She’s a massive Prince fan and she has something like ten tattoos of him all over her body, with lyrics and everything. That’s the kind of energy I grew up around.

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Is there a particular track or artist on your USB that’s really carrying your sets right now? What’s your sound like at the moment? 

I’ve got a lot of techno and house on my USB at the moment. Lately, I’ve also been really into ambient , which has been a big source of inspiration for me. And, I’ve been into DJRUM’s recent album ‘Under Tangled Silence’, ‘Detlev’ by Mathys Lenne, and the latest EP from Funkhaus. I always keep some steamy dancefloor tracks you can dance to. Someone once told me that my set made them feel like the sexiest person in the room. That stuck with me. Since then, I’ve realized that’s exactly what I want people to feel – comfortable and confident in their own bodies. That’s really important to me.

Let’s talk about your latest project – time seems to be a central theme. Have you felt like you’ve had enough time recently to explore yourself and your surroundings? 

It’s tough to put into words. Sometimes life feels too short, but at a certain point, I really started to take the time to appreciate every moment. I don’t know if you’re familiar with this book ‘IKIGAI’ by Ken Mogi, but it’s based on a Japanese philosophy. It talks about the Japanese way of life and how they value their time. They say you should give as much value to something as simple as eating a really good mango as you would to taking a big trip. And that’s something I’m trying to apply.

Also, for me, it’s super important to stay close to the club scene. Even when I’m not playing, I make time to go out and experience the club as part of the crowd. I think a good DJ is someone who also feels the energy from the other side. So, it’s the little things like this that shape how I enjoy my time, whether it’s time off or time spent doing something different. That’s how I stay in tune with everything – you have to play with the rhythm of things, and also listen to yourself. Don’t fight the process.

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Do you have any strategies for dealing with the constant pressure to create?

I think time pressure is part of the game, you know? You have to pace yourself, knowing when it’s time to pause and when it’s time to push forward. It’s both a blessing and a curse, and it’s something very personal for me. That’s why the concept of time has really inspired me for this project. Time can motivate me, but it can also be draining. Balancing everything is tough. But I try to remind myself: if something doesn’t happen now, it’ll happen later.. and I just let it go. 

They say everything happens in its own time. Have you ever experienced a moment when you felt this to be true?

It actually happened to me a few times.. with different clubs, for example. I played my first time at Berghain in 2022. And looking back now, I realize I wasn’t really ready for that moment.There have been other situations like that too. But then, there are also moments where I felt ready.. like when I played Bassiani, for example. That was one of those times I felt completely in tune with everything. But I think that’s part of the game, too. Not having everything all at once. Our generation is used to getting things instantly. So there’s this rush - this pressure to chase everything super fast, to run after your career like there’s no time to waste. But sometimes, that speed doesn’t leave room for growth.

How did you explore the story of your album through sound composition and overall production?

When I want to tell a story in a track, I always start by taking a moment to breathe and reflect - how am I feeling? What do I want to say? It’s really important to be honest with the music. I want it to feel timeless. For me, it’s the only thing that will be left behind.. like my personal imprint. It has to be honest. That’s why this album is really raw. Each track came from a very honest moment. 

Something that’s helped me a lot recently is reconnecting with my roots. Especially the musical connection through my family. I’ve been diving deeper into music theory with my dad, learning more about harmonies, scales, composition. Depending on the scale, you can convey a wide range of emotions and feelings. And those choices really shape the emotion in a track. My dad is also playing a bit of guitar on the album. I recorded my mom singing too. And I even sampled my nephew. I felt like, after 10 years of making music, and everything I’ve lived through, it was time to bring all of that into one record – something that can stay forever. 

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Do you have any other projects or big events lined up that you’re excited about?

I just released my first EP with Pablo Bozzi ‘Angel Eyes’. And of course, I’m super excited for the festival season ahead. Summer’s looking amazing – I’ll be playing at Nuits Sonores in Lyon, K41 in Kyiv, and heading back to New York this June for a night at Basement. I’m also on the lineup for Monegros Festival and Doel Festival, where I’ll be going b2b with Hyperaktivist.

glasses LA MAISON DU LUNETIER
polo LACOSTE
coat HIGHTLIGHT STUDIO
coat SIEGENTHALER OFFICIAL
pants LAUNCHMETRICS
shoes CAMPER

TEAM CREDITS:

talent MAC DECLOS
photography VICTOR JACQUES
styling CLÉLIA CAZALS
styling assistant FATIM DEMBELE
art direction ISRAEL BATUNGASANA