IN CONVERSATION WITH NOTRE DAME

Interview by Samo Šajn

Notre Dame is a French producer who has quickly become one of the most exciting voices in contemporary dance music. Through his label PARANORMAL, he blends music with anime inspired visuals, collectible art, and immersive experiences to bring his creative vision to life.

The story about you quitting your job to pursue your music career is so inspiring. What was going through your head when “Yumi” exploded globally just a week later?
It didn’t actually explode the week after. I simply signed the deal with Diynamic right after quitting my job, which already felt surreal. The track came out a bit later. But that moment confirmed something for me: when you take a real risk for something you deeply believe in, life sometimes gives you a sign. It felt like the universe was saying, “Keep going.”

Your music blends French Touch, cinematic sounds, and classical influences. How do you bring all those elements together naturally?
I never try to force a blend of genres. I just follow my instincts. When I’m producing, I’m not thinking “let’s make this” or “let’s make that.” I’m simply chasing a feeling. The textures, melodies, and harmonies come out of that mix almost by themselves.

Your sets have been described as having a strong emotional energy. How do you translate feelings into music that really connects with the crowd?
I try to stay very honest. If I feel something strongly while producing or performing, there’s a good chance people will feel it too. DJing for me is like telling a story in real time to a room full of strangers.

Your label, PARANORMAL, is shaping up to be a whole creative universe. Was this the idea from the beginning? How did the idea come about, and what is your goal with it?
PARANORMAL started as a place where I could release music freely, then very quickly became a universe of its own. I’ve always been obsessed with world building, storytelling, and visual identity, so the label naturally evolved into a broader creative ecosystem combining music, exhibitions, design, and videos.

Your new track "Candy Cloud" features a full anime-style video and collectible art figures. Why was anime the right way to tell this story?
Anime has always inspired me: the emotion, the lighting, the surreal beauty. For “Candy Cloud,” the music felt dreamy and nostalgic, almost like a memory. Anime was the perfect medium to express that atmosphere and to create a character and story people could connect to emotionally. It also allowed me to link the music to physical objects like the collectible figure, making the universe more tangible.

How do you take an idea and turn it into a full multimedia experience, from music to visuals to interactive elements?
I start with a feeling or an image in my head. Once I know the emotion behind the project, everything else grows around it. I sketch characters, design objects, and work with collaborators who bring each layer to life, from animation to 3D to exhibitions. For me, a track is just one door into a bigger universe.

You’ve collaborated with artists like Adriatique and Alex Wann, and remixed legendary artists from Röyksopp to Nelly Furtado and Lenny Kravitz. What makes a collaboration exciting for you?
I love collaborations that feel natural, where you respect each other’s space and bring something new without losing your identity. With Adriatique, the energy was immediate. With Alex Wann, we’ve built a strong creative connection. As for remixes, I love exploring the DNA of iconic tracks and reinterpreting them through my own lens. It feels like a musical conversation across generations.

Touring around the world, how do different audiences and cultures influence your sets or inspire new music?
Every city reacts differently. Some crowds are wild and explosive, others are deep and introspective. It constantly reminds me that dance music is universal but experienced in very personal ways. Traveling exposes me to new rhythms, moods, and stories that eventually influence my productions, sometimes without me even noticing.

Looking back on your journey so far, what advice would you give to artists who want to take big creative risks?
Take the risk, but be ready to work relentlessly. The world rewards authenticity, not imitation. If you believe in your vision, protect it, nurture it, and dare to jump when the moment comes. And when you fail, because everyone fails, treat it as part of the process, not as a reason to stop.