ARTISTS
PARIS journeys inwards on her debut album 'Labyrinth'
The artist, formerly known as Made In Paris, talks about an evolution coinciding with the release of her debut album.
To reinvent oneself is no easy task. Culture moves at a pace never seen before, and the internet ensures that for those of us alive today, we carry the metadata of our lives, our relationships and creativity.
Evolving, however, starting not entirely ‘over’, but with the sum of our experience up to this date, is a different kind of reinvention.
Gadigal Land/Sydney-originating producer and DJ, PARIS, is an artist now all too familiar with that process.
Her debut album ‘Labyrinth’, released earlier this month, sees the artist transition from her former alias, Made in Paris, known for driving club sets, to a far more introspective sound. The album sets out to blend her more DIY-focused roots with production that matches the size and scale of some of dance music’s more grand stages.
To better understand the work that an evolution like this takes, we spoke with PARIS about how she’s feeling post the release of ‘Labyrinth’.
Q: PARIS, thanks so much for speaking with us. Firstly, I need to ask. Many people will likely recognise you for your previous moniker, Made in Paris. What led you to change your name in the end?
PARIS: I felt I’d outgrown the pun-based stage name, and it just didn’t resonate with me anymore. I wanted my artist identity to reflect where I am now, so it felt natural to evolve and align everything with my own name, PARIS.
Q: Speaking of names, ‘Labyrinth’ is a very nuanced title, particularly when you yourself have gone through a bit of a journey to get to this point. What was it about this name that felt right for the release?
PARIS: The title came to me after doing a deep dive to describe what the album was about and meant to me. These descriptions brought me across the meaning of a Labyrinth. Essentially, it is an ancient spiritual tool designed to foster contemplation and spiritual transformation. One stating “a tool to guide healing, deepen self-knowledge, and empower creativity” (Artress 1995: 20). It beautifully encapsulates what the album means to me. “A sonic and spiritual journey inwards”.
Q: What did you discover about yourself while writing this album?
PARIS: I discovered how multi-layered I really am. Writing ‘Labyrinth’ showed me that it’s okay to be non-linear and that even the tougher emotions and traits have a purpose. Truly knowing yourself is powerful, but fully accepting yourself can be challenging, and it’s something I’m still working on. The more I embrace every side of who I am, the more authentically I can show up for my family, my friends, and the people who connect with my music.
Q: You move through a lot of genres on ‘Labyrinth’, including ambient to melodic techno, and some breaks too. Did you always intend for this to encompass such a wide range of musical styles?
PARIS: It felt like the most honest reflection of who I am. I’ve always thrived on variety, whether it’s in music, hobbies or just everyday life. I like to keep things exciting and a little unpredictable. That naturally carried into ‘Labyrinth’. It’s the same way I approach my DJ sets, wanting to keep the listener fully captivated and on their toes.
Q: You’ve collaborated with the likes of Juno Mamba and Rinzen on the record. How do you navigate collaboration when it’s for something as purposeful as an album?
PARIS: Each collab had its own energy. With Juno Mamba, the track actually began with no plan for it to land on the album, which made the process feel completely free with no pressure, just creating for the sake of it. Working with Rinzen on Wildfire was different. From the start, we both knew it was destined for Labyrinth, so there was a more deliberate focus on shaping the final result.
That intention helped us blend our sounds into something we were both proud of and that fit perfectly on the record.
Q: Overall, the album has a genuine cinematic feel. What kind of process did you go through to ensure that there was consistency in that tone?
PARIS: I think that comes down to my own way of producing. Even though I’m always keeping the sound selection and ideas fresh from track to track, I have certain ways of processing and shaping sounds that naturally create a signature. That’s probably what ties everything together and gives the album its cinematic feel.
Q: Dance & electronic albums can often be more complicated to find a throughline for. How did you know when you’d seen it for ‘Labyrinth’?
PARIS: The album was originally planned as a 10-track project, but even with those chosen ten it still felt like the Labyrinth story wasn’t complete. There was a certain intensity and darkness missing. I had two demos, ‘HUH’ and ‘Black Dahlia’, that I sent to the label, and Lane 8 immediately felt they belonged on the record. Once we added them, the album finally carried the depth and balance I was looking for, and that’s when it truly felt finished.
Q: Though you’ve got a career already backing you up, did you feel any pressure given this is your debut LP, particularly with all of the support you’ve received from across the world?
PARIS: I hit a heavy bout of writer’s block before this album, putting huge pressure on myself to top every release. During the height of COVID, I felt weighed down by the uncertainty, but eventually I let go and began writing purely for myself again to heal and find joy, returning to why I started making music in the first place. In that space, more than half the album came together within a few months. It was only after sharing the tracks with Lane 8, the head of This Never Happened, who sparked the idea of an LP. I think that leaning into authenticity kept the process easy and helped me move through the pressure and inevitable twists and turns.
Q: What are you most hopeful for, now that this release is out into the world?
PARIS: I hope that this record becomes a timeless collection of music that listeners will continue to enjoy for many years to come.
Q: What are you most looking forward to in the future?
PARIS: Continuing to make art that brings people together and exploring the world whilst connecting with people through music.
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Jack Colquhoun is Mixmag ANZ's Managing Editor. Find him on Instagram.
