Garrixers.com : For those who know you only through “Alive,” could you briefly tell us who Citadelle is?

Citadelle : We are simply two longtime friends from Paris who share a passion for music and a common vision. We’ve been working together for a few years now, gradually building our project and making our way forward. We are releasing our music on STMPD RCRDS since 2020.

What are your backgrounds that led to the creation of Citadelle?

One of us introduced the other to electronic music back in middle school, which later evolved into music production during high school. This led to the formation of our first duo, DUNE, which allowed us to perform at college parties and eventually land our first professional gigs at festivals and clubs in France. As our sound developed, we released our first tracks on labels like Nora En Pure’s Purified, marking a significant milestone for us. Then, during the pandemic, we took time to refine our sound and ended up winning a remix contest on STMPD, which gave us the opportunity to start fresh as Citadelle.

Who are your musical or artistic inspirations?

Our influences are quite broad, ranging from the 2000s French Touch and British bands like Radiohead and Muse, to swedish DJs like Axwell or Eric Prydz who inspired us when we first started mixing and producing.

In December 2020, you released “Alive” with YTRAM. How was it possible for a relatively new group to achieve such success so quickly?

After winning the remix contest, we kept sending tracks to STMPD, including an early version of ‘Alive.’ Martijn and his team were immediately drawn to it, and we continued developing it together. Since the track was deeper than other Martin Garrix releases, it was released under his alias Ytram, which gave us an incredible platform to launch Citadelle. We’re very grateful for that amazing opportunity.

Last year, you released your first full album “Pilot” (STMPD), allowing us to explore various styles while maintaining Citadelle’s identity. We definitely want more! What are Citadelle’s upcoming projects?

We already have several tracks ready, staying true to our signature sound but with a more club-focused direction to really enhance the live experience. We’re excited to share what’s next with everyone!

Your sound is very distinctive, and after releasing your respective singles, it’s clear that Ytram and Citadelle have a very compatible style. Can we expect more collaborations in the future?

Ytram allows Martin to experiment with different sounds outside his main project, and we’d love to collaborate again if the opportunity arises and the right track comes along. We’re already incredibly grateful to have worked with him on ‘Alive!

This interview was first published in Garrixers Mag 03 – Fall 2024. All rights reserved.