Henri (Henrietta Tiefenthaler) is one of the most charming people you’ll ever meet. Despite being gorgeous and having a prominent British accent (a combination most would find intimidating), she somehow creates the opposite effect, and is unbelievably endearing and comfortable, becoming your instant new best friend. Besides her impeccable musical taste as a DJ and smart choices as a producer, she is also a New York Times Best Seller, producer of some of the coolest and most exclusive events, and singer in a krautrock band, Thrillionaire. She recently released an EP of remixes of her summertime disco jam, “It’s Like This, It’s Like That” and has been DJing all over the world this year to promote it—including a run at some of the most talked about parties of NYFW. Henri currently lives in Los Angeles. Her music can be found on Soundcloud, Beatport, and iTunes.
What were some inspirations for “It’s Like This, It’s Like That”?
I was listening to a lot of nu-disco while writing the track. I still am, actually! I love the whole disco revival and the new take on it and wanted to make a pop song with just enough lyrics for a hook – all six of them. Haha. Todd Terje, Lindstrom, and that whole Norweigian movement has been one of my biggest inspirations as a DJ and producer. Their tracks take you on a whole journey and have an energy about them that makes me dance as soon I hear them. I play Inspector Norse at any given opportunity and never get bored of it. I included “Ęg-gęd-ōsis” in my playlist because it’s a perfect example of where their sets can take you, but having said all this, my other tracks are a lot more vocal heavy and melodic than “It’s Like.” I get drawn into so many different genres and take what I like from all of them and make them my own, so all my tracks sound different from each other – for better or for worse.
Tell us about the remixers of your track and why you chose them.
James Curd did a remix for my band Thrillionaire a couple of years ago, and I loved it, so he was the first person I asked to do a remix. His remixes for “Wie Geht’s” and “It’s Like That, It’s Like That” are really similar, both poppy nu-disco anthems with catchy bass lines, and he chops bits of the vocals and turns them into a rhythmic hook, which I think is brilliant. I discovered Irregular Disco Workers on Soundcloud. They did a couple of remixes for Lindstrom and a track called Sometime by Easy M, which I’ve included in my playlist. I never thought they would respond, but I messaged them on Facebook and they got back to me the next day and said they’d love to do a remix, which I’m super chuffed about – especially as they did TWO: an acid house remix and a psycho dub, which is more disco.
What was the inspiration for your playlist?
To keep the theme consistent with “It’s Like This, It’s Like That,” I’ve made a disco/house playlist of all the songs I’ve been DJing on repeat recently.
What are some standout tracks for you on there?
Greg Wilson, like Todd Terje, makes tons of amazing edits and mixes so I included one of his tracks. “Baby I Got It” is one of my favorites at the moment. Similar to my tune, it has a repetitive vocal hook which is permanently stuck in my head. I’ve put some classics in there too like ESG, Chic, Anita Ward and Lizzy Mercier Descloux, which the crowd always goes crazy to. And then some contemporary favorites by Tensnake & Fiora and Midnight Magic, both of which are a homage to the 70s disco era. I love pretty much everything Disclosure puts out so it was hard to pick just one of their tracks and I’m grateful to them for contributing to the whole house music scene resurgence. They’re so prolific and influential; I’m always shocked by how young they are still. And then I had to include the new Flight Facilities single as I can’t wait for their album to come out at the end of the month, and Emma Louise’s vocal in the track is so beautiful and hypnotic. It’s one of those songs you can listen to again and again.
What role does fashion play for you as a musician?
I think your persona and aesthetic as an artist goes hand in hand with your music. You’re not just making music, you’re creating a whole spectacle. I love the theatrics of the fashion world and, even if I’m not buying into the latest fashion trend, I’m always looking at style icons from the last few decades and reinventing them with a futuristic twist.
Who are some of your style icons?
David Bowie, Blondie, Kate Moss, Barbarella, Pris in Blade Runner, Leeloo in the Fifth Element. I love what Harajuku girls wear: Japanese street style is the best! I use my Tumblr as a style board.
What are you working on right now musically that you’re excited about?
I’m working on an album with lots of new tracks and collaborations, and I’m starting to think about how to construct my live show.
If you had to choose a place in the world that represents your music the best, where would it be and why?
Joshua Tree because the rock formations and trees there are otherworldly and I want my music to transport people somewhere else.
