ONE-99 | The Mekanism

© 2025 True Underground. All rights reserved. Damien Roussel’s path as The Mekanism traces a rare blend of discipline, restlessness, and human perspective. The Mekanism got his first taste of Paris’s flourishing house scene in the early 2000s, but it was his unexpected detour to Asia that left the real mark. “Back when I was living in China, on this island called Hainan, I actually opened a nightclub there,” he recalls. “It was a crazy experience – but what really hit me was seeing how tough life was for a lot of the people I worked with. Some of them were living in real poverty, and that made me realise how lucky I was. It pushed me to live my passion to the fullest, to enjoy every moment, and to never take this life for granted.” That awareness has stayed with him. It’s part of what gives The Mekanism’s sound its emotional edge – grounded but never static. When his 2015 release Acid Love landed on Play It Say It, it marked a turning point: a new rawness, a shift toward acid and groove. “I’ve always loved sampling – it’s something I use a lot in my productions,” he says. “For Acid Love and Lost Girl, I didn’t want to follow any rules, I just wanted to have fun in the studio and see where it would take me.” The result was a liberated, rule-free energy that set him apart from his earlier deep house work. “To be honest, my productions never really sound the same – I love so many different styles, and I’ve made the choice to produce whatever comes to my mind. It might be a bit confusing for promoters sometimes, but it’s an artistic choice I fully embrace.” His label choices follow the same ethos. “I always choose labels I genuinely follow and support,” he explains. “Phil Weeks has been a huge influence on house music, and he’s also an incredible person, so working with him feels really special. For me, it’s about being part of a scene and a sound that I truly respect. Seth is a great example – I had the honour to sign with him and even play B2B a few times, which was an amazing experience.” For Roussel, credibility outweighs convenience: “It’s not just about the beat.” The synergy between his DJ sets and production is deliberate. “I love making tracks for the clubs because I get to play them myself,” he says. “But I also enjoy producing more chill stuff – the kind of music you can listen to on the beach or anywhere really. I’m happy that different generations connect with what I do, not just clubbers.” Collaboration fuels that versatility. His recent EP with Salomé Le Chat on Bambossa Records emerged naturally from friendship. “Producing with Salome is a real pleasure because we’re close friends and share a similar vibe, so it happens really naturally and effortlessly,” he says. “Collaborating with someone can only enrich you through the exchange of knowledge, and it also pushes you out of your comfort zone and gives you a new perspective on your own work.” Right now, he’s returning to brightness and warmth. “At the moment, I’m coming back to more sunshine-y sounds,” he explains. “Music happens in cycles, and right now it’s the cycle of happy house for me. I think people want to hear that right now – at least it puts a smile on my face, and that’s exactly what I want to share.” Inspiration strikes The Mekansim everywhere. “I draw a lot from everyday life – what I hear everywhere, in the streets, people listening to their music, old tracks on the radio,” he says. “I try to feel the energy around me and see what could match the moment.” In the studio, Roussel relies on a mix of analog and digital. “I’ve always been fascinated by analog gear – I feel like you can get a real, authentic sound more easily than with VSTs,” he says. “That’s why I’ve always loved buying synths and building my modular setup, trying to find unique sounds – you can hear a lot of that in tracks like Lost Girl. The most fun part is plugging all the synths and drum machines together, launching everything at once, and just jamming. That’s when the magic really happens.” After three years living in Mexico, The Mekanism is preparing to return to Europe, bringing a global sensibility to every set. “I play what I love, while obviously reading the crowd, so it can range from disco house to acid house or electronica depending on the night and the venue,” he says. “But you won’t see me producing or playing music with flutes!” Even as his music continues to evolve, The Mekanism’s gaze is shifting beyond the dancefloor. “Actually, I wanted to get into filmmaking, and right now I’m finishing my first movie – a comedy that will hit cinemas in May,” he says. “It’s really exciting as a first project to get my foot in the door. Comedies are also easier to make than action or sci-fi films, so this feels like a good first step.” The post ONE-99 | The Mekanism appeared first on True Underground.