Vitalic

Vitalic is the recording name of Pascal Arbez, an electronic music artist born in France in 1976 and of Italian descent. He is based in electronic music, with work associated with electro, techno, dance and electronica.

Early years and breakthrough

Arbez begins releasing singles in 1996 and 1997, at first within the underground electronic scene. He says he decides to make music after hearing Daft Punk’s “Rollin’ & Scratchin’” in a club in his home city of Dijon. He later becomes friends with Michel Amato, known as The Hacker, after meeting him at the Rex club in Paris, described as Laurent Garnier’s “techno temple”. The Hacker suggests that Arbez send his tracks to DJ Hell, who heads Gigolo Records in Munich.

This leads to the release of the Poney EP on International DeeJay Gigolo Records in 2001. The release is a major success, and the track “La Rock 01” becomes a club anthem and a summer hit in 2001. It also appears on a wide range of compilation albums, including rock compilations.

Albums and notable tracks

Vitalic’s debut album, OK Cowboy, is released in 2005 on Different / PIAS Recordings. Arbez says that all of the instruments on the album are synthesised. From this album, “Trahison” is used in the trailer for the 2007 French film Naissance des Pieuvres, and “Poney Part 1” appears in the film Birds by Pleix.

His second studio album, Flashmob, is released in 2009. The first single from the album, “Your Disco Song”, is available for streaming on his MySpace page, and the album is noted for its disco influence.

Live appearances

In 2009, Vitalic is announced for both the Reading and Leeds Festivals in the UK.