Photo Credit: Nacer Hamadi
French DJ and producer Saint Lou is carving out a distinctive space in the world of melodic House with a sound that blends Afro House rhythms, organic textures and emotionally driven songwriting. As a resident at La Folie Douce Avoriaz, he has honed his music in front of international audiences, using the dance floor as a creative testing ground for his productions.
After previously releasing music under a different alias, Saint Lou is entering a new artistic chapter with his independently upcoming debut EP, Acuarela, a five-track collection inspired by travel, connection and the vibrant colours of life. Having shared line-ups with artists including Kölsch, Maceo Plex, MoBlack and Agoria, he is now focused on building a recognisable musical identity that bridges club energy with deeper emotional storytelling.
Listen to ‘Afro Disco‘ taken from his upcoming EP, and pre-save Acuarela while reading our interview with him below:
What first pulled you into electronic music, and can you remember the moment you realised this was something you wanted to pursue seriously?
I think we’ve to go back in time, 1999 exactly; my mom bought me my first album (CD) of electronic music… and it was Homework by Daft Punk. Two years later, I asked to her to buy me Discovery, both albums changed my life and my vision of electronic music. I’ve always been fascinated by how electronic music can create emotions without using words. The moment I realised this was more than a hobby was when I finished one of my first tracks and saw people genuinely reacting to it on the dance floor.
How would you describe your sound to someone hearing your music for the first time?
I’d describe it as warm, melodic and groove-driven. My music blends House rhythms with Afro and funky influences, organic percussion and emotional melodies. I want people to feel like they’re travelling somewhere sunny, whether they’re listening on the beach, in the car or in a club.
Before Saint Lou, you released music under another alias. What did that previous chapter teach you, and what freedoms does Saint Lou give you that you didn’t have before?
My previous project taught me a lot about production, consistency and the music industry. It helped me develop my technical skills and understand who I am as an artist. Saint Lou feels much more personal. It gives me the freedom to create music that reflects my emotions without following expectations or trends. It feels authentic.
What’s something people often misunderstand about being a DJ and producer?
Too often, people misunderstand the difference between DJing and producing music. When you DJ, you’re telling a story to your audience. It’s a journey—you dig for tracks, find hidden gems, and share them with people. But you can also be a producer. Create and add your own songs to your shows or DJ sets, and sometimes producers are just producers—and that’s okay. I love producing music just as much as I love DJing. You can do one, the other, or both, and that’s perfectly fine. Moreover, people often think it’s all about travelling and playing shows, but most of the work happens alone in the studio. There are countless hours spent producing, mixing, learning, and refining every detail. The stage is just the visible part of the job.
Looking back at your journey so far, what has been the biggest lesson the music industry has taught you?
Patience. Things rarely happen overnight. Talent is important, but consistency, resilience and believing in your vision matter even more. Every challenge has helped me grow both as an artist and as a person.
Tell us a bit more about your upcoming EP. Acuarela translates to “watercolour,” a painting technique built around colours and emotions blending. At what point did you realise that the idea connected all five tracks into a single project?
The name came naturally once I stepped back and listened to the five tracks together. Even though each one has its own identity, they all share the same atmosphere. Like a watercolor painting, every element blends together smoothly — rhythms, melodies and emotions. That’s exactly what I wanted this EP to feel like: colourful, warm and full of movement. It’s my soundtrack for summer.
Do you have a favourite track on the project?
That’s a difficult one because every track represents a different moment. But if I had to choose, I’d probably say ‘Afro Disco’. It captures the energy and direction I want to take as Saint Lou, and it’s always one of my favourite tracks to play live.
You developed these tracks between your studio in the South of France and your time in the Alps. How did those two very different environments influence the mood and sound of the EP?
They influenced it in completely different ways. The South of France inspired the warmth, colours and summer feeling you can hear throughout the EP. The Alps gave me space and focus. In the French Alps, it’s really different. During winter, I have a DJ residency, so as I said, I can be focus on my work and switch every day between DJing during the day (After Ski) and producing tracks during the night. To be fair, I have some sleep sometimes, ahah.
Moreover, being surrounded by nature helped me slow down and pay more attention to details. Together, those two places shaped the identity of Acuarela.
What’s one goal you still want to achieve over the next few years?
I’d love to play at some of the world’s festivals and in iconic venues around the globe, while continuing to build a strong identity as Saint Lou. More than numbers, my goal is to create music that people instantly recognise and connect with.
Beyond Acuarela, what can fans expect from you next?
Acuarela is just the beginning. I already have a lot of new music ready, and I’m excited to keep exploring this sound. You can expect more releases, more live performances and collaborations that continue to push the Saint Lou project forward.
Follow Saint Lou:
Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | SoundCloud
