Getting "Lost" with NYC-Based DJ Martial Simon

Following the release of his latest single “Lost,” Martial Simon gave us an inside look behind the song, his upcoming projects, and more.

While Martial Simon started off as a DJ and spun tunes at events for years, he recently turned to the production side in 2021. With a background as extensive as his, including as the CEO and founder of SET Artist MGMT, it seemed natural for him to continue exploring what new areas of music he could get his feet wet in.

It didn’t take long for Martial Simon to find his sound, especially when it came to turning classics like “Kryptonite (I’m On It),” “Let’s Hear It For The Boy,” “You Keep Me Hangin’ On,” and more into something fresh and equally as timeless as the originals. Not to mention, he released the songs under GET SET Records, a division of SET Artist MGMT which he founded around the time he started producing music. With someone as multi-talented and hardworking as Martial Simon, the next step was already in motion.

Earlier this month, he released his debut original single, “Lost,” which has already begun to receive plenty of praise. Now, to celebrate this new tune, Martial Simon shared a behind-the-scenes look at the song’s inspiration, his production processes, and upcoming projects. In addition to dropping his dreamy, uplifting single, he also shared an exclusive mix for everyone to listen to as well. Needless to say, there’s no shortage of bouncy house beats and classic songs-turned-dance-music that illustrate the kind of energy he has cultivated in his sets and his music.

Read on for the full conversation, check out the exclusive mix on SoundCloud, and don’t forget to support Martial Simon’s newest single by streaming it on your favorite music platform!

Stream EDMID Guest Mix 320 || Martial Simon on SoundCloud:

Hi Martial, thanks so much for taking the time to chat with us today and congrats on the release of “Lost”! How does it feel to have this track finally released? Can you walk us through the production process on this tune?

Thank you for having me and a big shout out to the entire EDM Identity team for helping artists have a voice in the industry. What started out as an interpolation for a Madonna song turned into an all original production. The original idea for “Lost” was created when the licensing company actually denied the rights to Madonna. I went back into the studio, flipped the chorus and recorded the record – A blessing in disguise because the record took on a life of its own. It feels great knowing everything happens for a reason.

With your music, you take a lot of classics and give them your own fun, unique spin. Are there any challenges to producing music around pre-existing lyrics and melodies? What does the process look like for you when transforming these songs into your own?

It all starts with the right record to remake. I call it “a new take on an old classic.” I look for records that haven’t been touched and still have relevance today, then deciding if there are any elements that stand out from the original and how to remake them with a modern twist. The easy part is finding the right vocalist (male or female) and then recording. The tough part is identifying the correct elements to give a new life twist to. Will it be the bass, a synth, or a piano and how do I make it slap?

You also have decades of experience behind the decks. What’s your approach to DJing? Has this changed over the years with advancements in technology?

Nothing has changed for me personally. Technology gets better and you need to adapt but the actual craft of DJing and the skills needed to possess the art are the same. Reading the crowd is the ultimate approach behind knowing how to mix, blend, and beat match.

Beyond your work as a DJ and producer, you’re also the founder of SET Artist MGMT and GET SET Records. Can you share what it’s been like working in the different areas of the industry, especially during the challenges the past few years presented?

Between the booking agency and the record label there are many similarities. I am thankful for the work experiences from the past to put me in a position to succeed with the label. Between contracts and talent, many of the same work ethics are involved. The end result is, of course, the difference between talent performing and a record. The biggest challenge of 2020 was what to do with the talent out of work, and thus, GET SET was created.

It’s been over a year since you dropped your first single on your label and now you’ve released a number of songs. Looking back at where you first started with the label, how have things changed from the first to latest release?

The learning process is way clearer now than it was a year ago. Looking back, there were mistakes that I made but learning from them for the next single and not making the same mistake twice has been a challenge. From planning the release day to executing a marketing plan, every record becomes its own creation post-production, but the process stays the same.

Is there anything you miss from the past few decades of the scene that you hope to see make a resurgence in the future?

I was a raver in the late 90’s and loved breakbeats and acid house. But with the commercialization of electronic dance music, I doubt we will ever get the good ole days back LOL. Beats were so futuristic back then. Now they seem to be non-existent. I bet if I played some funky acid breaks at a festival from the late ’90s, most people would think they were new. I miss the old school aspect. That’s why I like to make music the way I do and bridge the gap.

Finally, as we continue through the year, is there anything you’re particularly excited about, especially since we’ve seen the scene return to a more normal state? What’s to come in the rest of 2022?

I have a new single coming every two months. My next single is very special to me as I wrote the lyrics. It is called “High in July” (my birthday month) and pays homage to fun in the Summer and there is even a Hamptons remix (where I live from May to August). I am very excited for 2022’s summer months, returning to normalcy, with lots of day drinking please!