Maissouille

Maissouille is the project of Denis Masson, a French electronic DJ and producer from Caen. He works in frenchcore and related hardcore styles, and is also associated with hardtek, hard tekno, hardcore techno and electronic music.

Early activity and sound system work

He begins making techno in 1996 and forms the sound system CO2 three years later with his brother and a friend. Through CO2, he plays free parties in northern France under the name Dj Maissouille. His early DJ direction moves quickly toward tribe and hardcore, and he becomes a regular name for organisers of different events.

Live work and production

In 2002, Masson starts composing and soon develops a live performance practice in public. His live sets use hardware such as the Yamaha RS7000, Korg Electribe and Novation machines before he later moves into software-based production with Cubase SX and Ableton Live. His tracks are described as rhythmic and melodic, and his live approach becomes a central part of his work.

Recordings and labels

From 2004, he releases a large number of maxi vinyl records on labels including Biomaster, Audiogenic, Kryzalide, War, UndergroundTekno and Skwat Rec. Some of his tracks also appear on mixes by artists such as Radium, Lenny Dee and Randy. His records gain strong demand within the scene.

Albums and label work

In 2007, he releases his first CD album, The Project Ko, on Audiogenic. It contains 15 tracks and moves between tribe and frenchcore, with a rave-in-a-hangar feel. That same year he creates the frenchcore label Biomaster and tours France with Audiogenic on the Hardcore Slavery Tour. In 2008, he releases Phase of Master on Psychic Genocide and Audiogenic.

Performances and reach

Maissouille performs at festivals including Nordik Impact, Electromind and Montagood, and appears alongside artists such as Micropoint, Speedfreak, Manu the Devil, Randy, Lenny Dee, Japan, Narkotek and Osmik. He also plays in countries including France, Poland, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Russia and the Czech Republic. His work places him among the established names in the French hardtechno and hardcore scene.