WHO ARE HOTEL RADIO PARIS?
Champions of subculture. Kings of the underground. Hotel Radio Paris are the creative hub you need to know about. Broadcasting from Paris’ 18th arrondissement, they host a diverse range of shows celebrating underground scenes across the capital and joining the dots between its vibrant creative scenes. But they are much more than just a radio station. Born from a love of skating culture, they have become a community for the city’s music scene and fuel for its creative driving forces. Showcasing everything it has to offer, with no barriers or aesthetic judgment.
With a second lockdown in France, creatives are struggling to share their art. To highlight the scene’s energy and resilience, Dr. Martens Presents supported the design and production of a one-off zine, edited by the station’s founder Jean-Charles Leuvrey. The zine features contributions from artists, DJs, musicians, designers and more about how they have kept themselves busy and inspired during lockdown.
With contributions from Maxime Bony, Natas3000, Blakhat, Noir Divine and many others.
With contributions from Maxime Bony, Natas3000, Blakhat, Noir Divine and many others.
DM’S CHATS WITH HOTEL RADIO PARIS
We caught up with the founder of Hotel Radio Paris, Jean-Charles Leuvrey, to discuss the city, his inspirations, and how lockdown has affected the station.
What inspired you to start Hotel Radio Paris?
In 2016, there was a need for a platform for free speech on the radio scene in Paris. I want Hotel Radio Paris to become a rocket launch platform, where people use it as training facility to experiment, try new stuff, get better at it, and then leave me to become stars.
What motivates you to unearth local sounds and provide a platform for the city’s DJs and creatives?
Because I wished it existed when I was younger. Back then we had no idea. You could be a producer, a radio host, or a singer, and you wouldn’t know what else was going on. We are the hub for all those future talents.
If you had to define the ethos of Hotel Radio Paris, what would it be?
It’s a platform for free speech, it’s open to everyone and we’re here to let the music play.
In 2016, there was a need for a platform for free speech on the radio scene in Paris. I want Hotel Radio Paris to become a rocket launch platform, where people use it as training facility to experiment, try new stuff, get better at it, and then leave me to become stars.
What motivates you to unearth local sounds and provide a platform for the city’s DJs and creatives?
Because I wished it existed when I was younger. Back then we had no idea. You could be a producer, a radio host, or a singer, and you wouldn’t know what else was going on. We are the hub for all those future talents.
If you had to define the ethos of Hotel Radio Paris, what would it be?
It’s a platform for free speech, it’s open to everyone and we’re here to let the music play.
How did you keep the platform going during lockdown?
During the first lockdown we only did pre-recorded shows, but the second one we had one live show per day alongside pre-recorded shows from all over the world.
Paris has always been home to a huge variety of thriving subcultures, but what is so exciting about the underground creative scene at the moment?
We love music here. French music has always been rich because of all the influences the country has. In Paris, it changes really quickly. The kids from the suburbs are completely reinventing the French culture by mixing it with their roots. That mix is what’s cool in Paris and its music.
If this zine displayed one thing about Paris’ creative scene, what would you want that to be?
Resilience. A zine is the perfect way to show this to the world. It’s like a picture in a way, it freezes a moment.
During the first lockdown we only did pre-recorded shows, but the second one we had one live show per day alongside pre-recorded shows from all over the world.
Paris has always been home to a huge variety of thriving subcultures, but what is so exciting about the underground creative scene at the moment?
We love music here. French music has always been rich because of all the influences the country has. In Paris, it changes really quickly. The kids from the suburbs are completely reinventing the French culture by mixing it with their roots. That mix is what’s cool in Paris and its music.
If this zine displayed one thing about Paris’ creative scene, what would you want that to be?
Resilience. A zine is the perfect way to show this to the world. It’s like a picture in a way, it freezes a moment.
What does self-expression mean to you?
Being able to express yourself without boundaries.
What are the challenges with running Hotel Radio Paris? And how can people support you?
It’s an expensive thing to run because Paris is an expensive city, and I cannot run the station by myself. Everyone’s support is so important to helping us continue championing local music. The way to support is to buy some merch, spread the word on social media or just tune in and listen to the music.
Being able to express yourself without boundaries.
What are the challenges with running Hotel Radio Paris? And how can people support you?
It’s an expensive thing to run because Paris is an expensive city, and I cannot run the station by myself. Everyone’s support is so important to helping us continue championing local music. The way to support is to buy some merch, spread the word on social media or just tune in and listen to the music.
