This week we got an opportunity to sit down with French DJ and producer Norman Doray. Coming out with a highly anticipated compilation album Strictly Ibiza to Amsterdam, we got the inside scoop on that, some funny stories on the road, producing favorites, collaboration favorites, and the house music scene between the United States and Europe.

Paradise Beats: First off, tell us a little about yourself. Where can we find you at the moment?

Norman Doray: After a crazy summer followed by a huge USA tour, I'm finally in the studio now, cooking new tracks.

PB: How did you first get into producing and DJing? What's your musical background like?

ND: I started producing 5 years ago and DJing 10 years ago. My musical background is funk and disco, mainly. I always listened to music in my life.

Norman Doray - Kalifornia (Original)

 

PB: What's your favorite place in the world hands down to DJ?

ND: Right now I would say USA, Brazil, Ibiza, and UK.

PB: What are your top five tracks at the moment?

ND: Norman Doray - Kalifornia

Nicky Romero - Camorra

Avicii - Levels

Norman Vs Tawiah - Breakaway

Deniz Koyu - Tong

PB: Who have been some of your favorite people to collaborate with? Can you elaborate on any of those experiences?

ND: I've done many tracks with other producer, but it was nice to work with my mate David Tort. We went in his studio outside barcelona, and the vibe was really special, like you are in a little village, everything was calm and we were cooking a banger.

PB: How did you and David Tort originally meet up to produce Chase the Sun?

ND: We met on the road I think... As we are DJs and we are travelling the world, we usually meet in different cities. We loved each others music, so we said, lets produce a track together ;)

PB: Disco House has certainly come a long way since you first started producing, do you see the genre continuing to make a strong comeback?

ND: I really hope so.....this kind of music is really making the people happy. It's so important.

Norman Doray Vs Tawiah - Breakaway

PB: Who would you call the "Breakthrough DJ of 2011?" Why?

ND: Avicii I think...He's just doing big tracks.

PB: Tell us a little about your studio? What's your DAW of choice?

ND: Quite simple. 4 speakers, soundcard, and my Fruity loops :)

PB: What have been some of your most memorable performances of the year? What has been the most ridiculous thing you've seen at a show this year?

ND: My show at Green Valley in Brazil on the 8th January will stay forever...15.000 people and  massive energy. I will never forget. Most ridiculous thing? I've seen Paris Hilton refused to come on stage ahahah

Deniz Koyu - Tung!

PB: Back in the day France's house music scene might have crushed that of the United States (and might still), but how would you compare the two scenes today?

ND: I think that the USA is living what we lived 10 years ago in France and in Europe...It was a complete new music and people were crazy about it....Today the hype is in the US.

PB: Tell us a little about your up coming compilation Strictly Ibiza to Amsterdam. How did you go about splitting the compilation into "Night" and "Day" over two records?

ND: I just wanted to show 2 sides of me to the people. I wanted to tell them that my roots are Funky disco, but I also love to play more big room in clubs, and both can fit together!!!

PB: Thanks so much for taking the time to answer our questions. Hopefully we'll see you the next time you hit up NYC!

ND: Cant wait. Thx so much :)