- First of all, I’m sure you’ve been asked this countless times already, but the name of your unit, Smooth Operators, comes from the Sade track, right? You’re primarily a techno/house act, so do you have a special attachment to that song or to Sade in general?
L: Yes, the name comes from the Sade track. It’s been part of our lives since childhood thanks to our mothers, so Smooth Operator feels deeply rooted. What connects us to the song isn’t its genre. I would say it's more of an attitude. It’s about elegance, control, and intention. Smooth Operators is a mindset for us by the way we navigate music, shape tension, and move through sound, especially when we’re together in the booth.
- Could you share the thoughts and ideas behind this mix?
M: To be honest, the mix wasn’t really prepared in advance. When we do live recordings, we usually give each other loose themes rather than fixed structures. For this one, the idea was to explore something deep and raw at the same time, and to let the music evolve naturally in that direction. It was more about capturing a moment and a shared feeling than delivering a polished or pre-planned narrative. Something that can be listened to at any moment of the day, without needing a specific context or peak-time energy
- When you perform as a unit, do each of you—Massaï and Lamalice—select records separately from your own personal collections?
L: Most of the time it starts with a very simple text like, “So… where do we want to take it this time?” We’ll throw a few directions around and that’s usually enough. We share a lot of unspoken codes,especially these days, when the range of genres and sub-genres can get pretty wide.
- To what extent do you coordinate in advance regarding track selection and the overall direction of your set? Could you tell us about your approach to performing?
L+M: We’ve been evolving together for many years now, and at this point almost half of our shows each year are as a duo, so the mechanics are very well established. That history gives us a lot of trust behind the decks. We pretty much know how the other thinks and reacts. We prepare separately, choose a broad direction depending on the setting (day or night, indoor or outdoor), and then let things unfold naturally. It still takes a lot of focus and listening to make it feel flawless, but the best part is always discovering what the other brought on the day. We trust the beat to carry us and if there’s a surprise along the way, that’s usually where the fun starts.
- Are there any unique “chemistry” or interactions that emerge specifically because you perform as a duo? Also, could you tell us about each of your roles within the unit and any differences in your personalities or approaches?
L: There are no fixed roles, only moments. Lamalice always put the first track and Massaï always close. One of us might accelerate, the other slows things down. One opens doors, the other decides which ones stay open. Our personalities aren’t opposed, they’re offset. That slight imbalance is what keeps the music moving. The booth becomes more a conversation, than a performance.
- From your perspective as artists based in France, what do you think about Japan’s club scene and DJ culture? And if there are any differences compared to France or Europe, could you tell us about them?
M: From our perspective, Japan has one of the most inspiring underground club cultures we’ve experienced. There’s an incredible level of care and precision in everything, the sound systems are perfectly tuned, the decks are fully functional, the scenography is thoughtful and immersive. You can really feel that people put their heart into creating the best possible environment for both artists and dancers.
What’s especially striking is the dedication to craft. Every local act we’ve seen comes with a carefully curated selection and a very high technical level. There’s a deep respect for detail, for sound, and for the role of the DJ as a craftsperson. In many ways, this approach has been very influential and inspiring for artists in Europe, including us. It’s a culture where perfection isn’t about ego, but about commitment and that’s something we deeply admire.
- Massaï runs the labels Sentaku (“choice/selection”) and Shin’uchu (“deep space”), and many of Lamalice’s works have also been released on Sentaku. I was surprised to see that many of the release titles—such as Tokugawa Ienari, Hattori Hanzo, and Araki Murashige—are named after figures from Japanese history or use Japanese words. Do you have a strong interest in Japanese history and culture? What aspects of Japan do you find particularly appealing?
M: Yes, there’s a genuine and long-standing interest in Japanese culture behind those references. For us, Japan represents a deep connection to discipline, precision, and symbolism. These are values that resonate strongly with how we approach music. The names and words we use aren’t meant as literal historical statements, but rather as markers of atmosphere, intention, and respect for a culture that places a lot of importance on meaning and detail.
What we find particularly appealing is the relationship to craft: the patience, the focus on mastering one’s tools, and the idea that depth often comes from restraint rather than excess. Whether it’s in music, design, or broader artistic practices, there’s a sense that every choice matters. That mindset aligns closely with how we curate releases on Sentaku and Shin’uchu, careful selection, intention, and space for the music to speak for itself.
Japan is a constant source of inspiration for that balance between strength and subtlety, tradition and experimentation, which is something we try to reflect in both our music and our visual identity.
- What kind of mindset is important to you guys as a DJ?
L : Our mindset is simple: play, experiment, take risks. If we’re having fun, the crowd feels it and that energy comes back to us.
Authenticity is key. Taking yourself too seriously kills spontaneity. DJing isn’t about copying anyone else, it's a landscape full of depth, possibilities, and room for your own voice.
Above all, it’s about remembering your roots, where you come from, respecting others, and being grateful for the inspiration everyone around you provides.
- What plans do you have for 2026?
L+M: 2026 is really about creating, exploring, and strengthening what we’ve been building over time. A big focus will be on Sentaku: shaping the music and visual identity on our own terms and opening it up to both self-releases and collaborations with residents and wider members of the family. The next record is almost finished and will feature a talent from our home city, Paris, which feels important to us.
We’re also starting a new residency on Rinse France, with regular radio shows and showcases alongside residents: Lamalice and Ill Spleen. It’s a space where we can test ideas, invite close collaborators, and keep things spontaneous while staying rooted in our community.
On top of that, Smooth Operators are working on a mini-LP with a strong hip-hop influence, a more personal and experimental project that feels like a natural extension of what we love. Overall, 2026 is about pushing things forward without rushing them, and letting the music grow from a place of trust, curiosity, and shared history.
Finally, we’re extremely grateful for the experience we’ve had recently in Japan. It truly felt like a blessing. The energy, the people, and the dedication to craft we encountered there will stay with us for a long a time and will continue to influence what we do moving forward.
