Jean-Baptiste de Laubier is a French electronic music producer and movie maker. He goes under the moniker of Para One when he remixes and he’s best known for his remix of The Prime Time of Your Life by French House duo Daft Punk.

This Saturday (April 9) he will be waving the French electro dance music flag in Scala, Kings Cross.And, if you don't know much about Para One, here's a biography of this true European electro pioneer. He was one of the first to inject glitches and digital artifacts into hip-hop production. He invented a new kind of rap with French hip-hop phenomenon TTC, dreaming up Epiphanie, an insanely complex debut solo effort which originated the French electro sound that has come to international attention in recent years.

Next to come was the quietly beautiful surprise of Naissance Des Pieuvres, soundtrack to the critically acclaimed Cannes-selected movie Water Lilies directed by Céline Para One has not only remixed for Daft Punk he has reworked the records for Boys Noize, Datarock and Ayumi Hamasaki too.

And, although the label Para One is signed to, Institubes, has announced its closure, he’s recently completed a new album of leftfield and danceable pop tracks entitled Slice & Soda to be released on newly formed French label Marbles later this year.

Para One will be revealing some of the album tracks during his set at Scala this Saturday.

Other acts on the bill for this special event include Arveene & Misk, Teenage Bad Girl, AutoKratz, Paul Chambers, Acid Washed, Neo Tokyo, You Love Her Coz She’s Dead,Tronik Youth, Punx Soundcheck, Dpplgngers, Pete Carvell, Coin Operated Boy, Stuff Ya Disco vs Tomas Dubeyes and Krucy Darkstar among many others. The full line up can be found on www.theplayground.co.uk/event

Para One will perform at Scala, Kings Cross, Saturday, April 9. Tickets: 020 7683 1223

INTERVIEW WITH PARA ONE

What is your motivation behind Para One sound – and what do you hope the listeners at Scala will experience on Saturday, April 9?
P1: I'm trying to bring emotionally honest music to people. Especially live, I really try to translate the moment I'm living into music. This can mean, playing angry music sometimes... There is no Para One character, no mask, or anything like that. I hope listeners will get that, and react to it. In any way!

How do you write your songs… does it start from sound or an emotion?
P1:It always start from a sound, that is the symptom of an emotion. You choose a major chord and then you realise you've had a pretty good day so far. It embodies the invisible. The beautiful thing is that it can also give you emotions in return, it can change you.

What inspires your music is it a feeling of energy or love or family or social issues?
P1: All that together. You watch the news, there is a tsunami. Then you break up with your girlfriend. Next thing you know, you're producing apocalyptic music

What criterion for you makes a good tune?
P1: It has to sound 50 per cent familiar and 50 per cent odd, like a weird dream. If it's too odd, it's scary. If it's too familiar, you won't want to hear it again.

What was the first electronic keyboard you bought and how has this changed to what you use now?
P1: It was a Technics KN1200. Very shitty sounds, but the sequencer was decent. It forced me to focus on composition. I use tons of different synths now, from analogue to digital, so it's a whole different world. Much more comfort, and speed, now.

Has there been a musician who has inspired your music?
P1: The Bomb Squad, who produced Public Enemy

Who is your favourite classical musician?
P1: Pergolesi.

What do you think about French popular music at the moment?
P1: French popular music sucks. We had a good period when french rap was cool, but now, if by "popular" you mean stuff that's on the radio and TV, it really sucks. French radio is not like in the UK: they airplay stuff that's recognisable, they're slaves to the audience. Nothing is played to be discovered. But there is the Internet, which allows underground artists to earn a living.

What have you learnt most about being a musician?
P1: The ego is the worst thing that can interfere between you and the music. As soon as you let it go, you become better. Less anxiety, better music. But you need to grow old to understand that.

When you were starting out what kind of job did you have to do to make ends meet?
P1: I lived off music right away. But I didn't need much money: just enough to buy cigarettes.

Tell me about the events that led to your inspiring film: It Was On Earth That I Knew Joy?
P1: My life falling apart.

What’s been the audience reaction to this film?
P1: Very good so far. I feel blessed. It was designed to be seen alone on a computer screen, so I received tons of emails, very personal stuff.

Tell me about the Marbles label – how does it feel to take control and bring out your music on your own record label?
P1: We were artistically free before, on Institubes, but we couldn't decide the deadlines, the release timings, etc... Now we want to go much faster, and much lighter. It feels amazing, we're really excited.

Will this added work put a strain on your music and film projects?
P1: No, we all share studios here in Paris and it's pretty easy to get organized.

What’s next for you… will you be bringing out your own clothing range?
P1: Haha no! That would be too expensive, I don't wear tee shirts.

Who came up with the name Para One and what does it mean?
P1: Friends of mine in high school. Long story, but it comes from paradox. The "one" is a graffiti thing.

What’s your home-town like that you grew up in?
P1: I grew up in different places: Orléans, Paris and Chambéry in the Alps. That part was awesome: teenage days up in the mountains, loved it. It was pretty romantic.

Did you have any musical instruments at home?
P1: A piano.

What music did your parents listen to when you were growing up and how has this affected your style?
P1: Only classical music. It has affected my style, definitely.

Who were your music teachers did they have any influence on your sound?
P1: I had a piano teacher but he only managed to teach me minor chords.

How old are you?
P1: I just turned 32 last Saturday.

Who close to you has been the biggest influence on your musical career?
P1: My older sisters. And Teki Latex.

What makes you laugh?
Arrested Development (the TV show).

What’s your favourite musical note?
P1: Eb.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever attended – apart from your own?
P1: Jeff Mills. I opened for him but then he killed it in front of a big rave crowd, amazing.

Who have you met through your music career that has left you speechless?
P1: I've met a lot of rappers that left me speechless, but maybe not in a good way.

What was the first electronic album you ever bought?
P1: Probably a cheesy euro dance compilation back in '92.

Where are you most happy?
P1: In this little bar called La Jetée in Golden Gai, Tokyo.

What is your favourite drink?
P1: Moscow Mule.

What did you learn at school outside the classroom?
P1: How to roll a blunt.

What’s next for Para One?
P1: My Slice & Soda album, and an EP, are out soon. Then an EP with Tacteel. The first Marble release is soon to be out also, I'm finishing Birdy Nam Nam's album today. Then doing my second solo album. Then touring.