From France, with Funk: Dabeull

French DJ and producer Dabeull is one of the contemporary representatives of funk and disco music. His style that blends retro textures with modern electronic sounds, sets him apart on stage. We experienced this uniqueness up close during Dabeull’s night in Istanbul.

We caught up with Dabeull during Selectist’s “Are You Disco?” night at Frankhan. His performance offered the audience more than just music—it delivered a vibe, a soul, and a full-on experience.

An artist who carries the evolution of disco from past to present in his music, Dabeull captured attention with his performance. He doesn’t follow a specific ritual before going on stage, but his natural presence and energy while performing make him stand out.

“Disco culture has changed a lot. New instruments and samplers have emerged; we could say it transformed into house music. But we’re still trying to keep that spirit alive.”
– Dabeull

Do you have any special rituals before going on stage?
Not really. Sorry if that’s a bit disappointing, but I don’t have a specific ritual. Whatever comes… I just fool around a little, that’s it.

How do you think disco culture has evolved over the years? Does it still carry its original spirit today?
It’s changed a lot, of course. New instruments, samplers came into play—it turned into house music, you could say. But we’re still trying to keep that spirit alive.

How does the energy you get from the audience affect your music while you’re performing? Do you change your set depending on the moment?
Yes, I usually adapt in real time during DJ sets. For live performances, though, we take notes as a team after every show—how people reacted, which transitions worked, what made them dance… All of that is communication for us. It’s not the same in Japan, France, or the U.S. Every place has its own vibe.

“It’s not the same in Japan, France, or the U.S. Every place has its own vibe..”
– Dabeull