Above all else, Lyon-based DJ and producer Folamour—real name Bruno Boumendil—is as versatile as they come. Formally trained on drums, bass, and guitar, he’s worked in every genre, from pop to jazz, and has even worked with Lyon’s National Orchestra, but it’s on the dancefloor that he’s best known. Even then, he’s just as liable to detonate an explosive, hands-in-the-air moment as he is to submerge the crowd in a hypnotising, heads-down house set.
Folamour’s reputation for being able to adjust and adapt to just about any form of music was earned fairly early in his career, winning the approval of well-respected labels like All City, Church and Glitterbox. In 2017, he founded his own label, FHUO (For Heaven Use Only), which he’s used to put out released three albums, the most recent of which was Manifesto in May this year.
That passion for all forms of music, regardless of genre or whether or not fickle trends deemed them cool at any given moment, was something ingrained in him almost from birth. As a child, the family stereo was just as likely to be belting out Radiohead or Oasis as it was Lenny Kravitz or the 50 Cent single he first bought with his own money. All that mattered was whether or not he liked it—an instinct which continues to serve him well to this day.
We caught up with Folamour in the wake of his appearance at Hideout Festival in Croatia to talk more about his mix and some of the music that inspired him over the years. Press play on that below, and read more on the flip.
Tell us a bit about your selections in this mix.
I didn’t think much about what I was going to play before my set, so I followed the flow of the night. It was warm and electric, and I think it pushed me into starting funky and moving to the housier part of my spectrum towards the end. The energy in Croatia is always special.
What was the one track you absolutely had to include?
My remix of Udo Jürgens “Peace Now”. Udo is a legendary German artist, and I was humbled to be offered to rework this gem of his. It's has found a very special place in my sets these days with its universal love message. I always express something in my sets and each track is selected for a reason, and this one has a clear message about peace that I truly cherish.
Any tracks that narrowly missed the cut?
Many off my latest album. I’ve been playing tracks from the new album a lot recently, but they didn’t find their place that night, except for “When Piano Saves The Day”, to close the set.
What’s the first single or album you ever bought?
The first single I remember buying was 50 Cent “Just A Lil Bit”, right when it got released in France. My first album was probably something by Lenny Kravitz, Radiohead or Oasis, as I was obsessed with them as a kid.
What’s the last physical record you bought?
It was Nzongo’ Soul présente Les Bruches Walla, an old-school funk 12’’ from Congo that I was looking for for years. Out of all of my records, this one probably took the longest to find and get my hands on.
What do you want to see happen musically over the next 12 months?
I’d like to see a comeback of meaningful and messageful music in the electronic/dance scene. Nowadays, I feel that sharing a message, values, even stories, is often overlooked. Most of the music released nowadays is empty of any soul and emotions, and I regret that. Making music for people to dance to is great, but music 30 years ago carried a stronger social message, actually telling something to the world. So I’d love to see that come back.
What trend or scene absolutely needs to die right now?
All the soulless music made for people to get drunk on. Music should be more than that.
Tracklist:
1. Joey Montenegro - Make A Move On Me
2. Udo Jürgens - Peace Now (Folamour Remix)
3. Joï - Akalelo (unreleased)
4. Easttown - Breeze (unreleased)
5. Robbie Doherty x Foley - unreleased
6. Easttown - Enchance (unreleased)
7. Duke - So In Love With You (Full Intention 12" Remix)
8. Ferry Ultra - Happy (Folamour Remix) (unreleased)
9. Jamie Lewis feat Michael Watford - For You
10. Dub Syndicate Productions - No Longer
11. DASCO - Feel My Love (unreleased)
