There’s something quietly powerful about the feeling of home — not just as a place, but as a sense of being grounded, understood, and fully yourself. It’s that feeling Notre Dame returns to again and again in his work, even as his career takes him across cities, continents, and time zones. Beneath the surface of pulsing beats and melodic builds, there’s always a search for connection — to memory, to belonging, to something real.
Raised in Paris and named after the school he attended as a child, Notre Dame grew up surrounded by the sounds of Daft Punk, Breakbot, and the French Touch era. But over time, his influences expanded — from orchestral compositions to the visual world of anime — and so did his sound: raw, emotional, and cinematic.
His new release Recollection EP, dropped today on his own label Paranormal Society, captures that evolution beautifully. It’s made up of two contrasting yet connected tracks — the club-driven title piece, and the gently reflective “Homesick”. “It’s not just about missing a place,” he says, “but missing a feeling of belonging.”
In our interview, we talk about the strange beauty of distance, building a label that blurs the lines between music and visual art, and the emotional precision behind his production process.
Header Photography by Casey Matsumoto
Happy release day! (smiles) I really connect with how “Recollection” and “Homesick” reflect two very different moods, one full of energy, the other full of emotion.
Thanks so much! That contrast is really at the core of the EP. I wanted each track to reflect that emotional spectrum in a way that feels honest.
I really love the deeper vibe of “Homesick.” Have you ever found yourself longing for a place, a person, or a moment you once called home? I’ve been feeling homesick lately, so this one really hits me.
Yes, absolutely very often. Especially when I’m on tour, somewhere between time zones, in an airplane above the clouds. That strange distance from everything you know can make you miss even the smallest things: a familiar smell, a conversation, a certain light at sunset. That’s exactly what “Homesick” is about, not just missing a place, but missing a feeling of belonging.
Is there a small detail in the EP that most listeners might not notice, but that you personally love?
I think one of the more hidden details is actually the artwork. Stay tuned.
How do you usually start a track with a melody, a beat, or a feeling?
I almost always start with the drop, that emotional peak where everything comes together. Then I build around it, crafting the story that leads up to that point and what comes after. It’s like sculpting backwards from the climax.
You started your own label, Paranormal Society. What’s your vision for it?
Paranormal Society is more than just a label, it’s a universe I’m building where electronic music meets art and anime culture. I want it to be a playground for experimentation, where sound and visuals come together to tell deeper stories. A space where things don’t have to follow the usual rules.
“That strange distance from everything you know can make you miss even the smallest things: a familiar smell, a conversation, a certain light at sunset.”
What was the first moment you knew “Yes, I need my own label”?
Honestly, it was just about time, It felt inevitable. I’ve always had a very specific vision, sonically and visually, and at some point, the only way to express it fully was to create my own space.
Your productions have been supported by giants like Solomun, RÜFÜS DU SOL, and Pete Tong… Do you still remember how it felt the first time you heard one of them play your track? (smiles)
It’s an unreal feeling, every single time. You remember exactly where you were when it happened. These are artists I deeply respect, so having them connect with my music is incredibly rewarding. But for me, the journey is always more important than the destination. I still feel like I’m at the beginning of mine.
You quit your day job in 2021 to fully commit to music. Wasn’t that terrifying?
It was, and it wasn’t. I was very sure of myself, but at the same time, I was sure of nothing as well. It was a leap of faith. Everything could have fallen apart. But I knew I had to try. There was no plan B, just a feeling I had to follow.
You often mention Hans Zimmer and orchestral music as influences. Do you see yourself scoring a film one day?
Definitely. That’s a big goal of mine.
“I almost always start with the drop, that emotional peak where everything comes together.”
You’ve played everywhere from Tokyo to Miami. Which city has surprised you the most with its energy?
So many cities have blown me away, each in a different way. But playing at home in Paris always has a special energy. There’s something about sharing your music with people who’ve seen your evolution. It’s personal.
The electronic scene can feel both connected and competitive. If you could change one thing about it, what would it be?
The scene is what it is, and it’s always evolving. I try not to fight it. I think the key is to adapt, stay true to your voice, and keep creating. Tomorrow it’ll be different anyway.
Your Instagram often shares live images and videos. Does that feeling — being on stage and sharing energy with the crowd still feel as special as it did in the beginning?
Yes, always. I know it’s still special because I still get nervous before every show. That tension is part of what makes it real. The moment it stops feeling that way, I’ll know something’s off.
And finally… What’s the most important thing in life?
Family, friends, health… and Pokémon.
Listen to the full release here: orcd.co/recollectionep
Follow Notre Dame for more:
www.instagram.com/notredame.music
www.facebook.com/notredamemusicfr
