Pariis Opera House interview: 'I thought, yes, that’s the name that’s going to make us famous'

Pariis Opera House were once individually known as Kidd Wolff and Modeon, but in their collective guise they are a super exciting new duo, ready to challenge continental rivals such as Justice and Digitalism with their mix of commercial pop and ultra-cool electro.

Due to their popstar lifestyle, their world is a non-stop ride of showbiz parties, secret club nights and award ceremonies. And all before releasing a note of music. We managed to grab five minutes on the phone with this exciting young duo (less excitingly named Chris and Ross) outside a recent industry event to get brief introduction to Our New Favourite Band...

Hello Pariis Opera House. What award ceremony have we interrupted?
The Music Industry Trust awards.

Where is it?
Chris: The Grosvenor House Hotel. It’s quite swanky. At the moment we’re in the red bar. It is red. There’s also quite a vigorous cocktail shaker - and a lot of leather.
Ross: Not enough for my taste.

Are you there because you’re nominated?
Ross: Yes – best newcomers for electronic amusement. No, only Chris is here because of his work.

Poor Ross. Are there any drunk celebrities there?
There’s Jools Holland who is the main guest of honour, Vic Reeves I’ve seen, but he’s not that drunk yet, Imelda May just performed.

Oh dear, is there free food at least?
Chris: Yes! The food is free. Duck’s the main, with Salmon to start. Ross is a fan of salmon...
Ross: I’m not going to tell them about my fish dietary requirements or we’ll get on to diarrhea.

Let’s talk about music instead then shall we? Tell us about the new project. Where does the name come from?
Ross: Basically we were trying to come up with a name. I emailed Chris a long list. 'Paris Opera' was on there, and the only thing he sent back, no comments on anything else, was 'Paris Opera House'. And I thought, yes, that’s the name that’s going to make us famous.

What else was on the list?
Ross: Monkey Jumble Sale, A Table With Five Legs, Plaster of Paris, Paris Eiffel Tower, Paris Rifle Tower, Paris Trifle Tower.

Had your solo projects run out of steam?
Chris: We always direct each other’s solo work, and it’s been a natural progression from that. It means one can say “here’s some new music I think it’s great” and the other one can say “yeah it is great, but this bit’s shit” and cut it out and send it back. Then essentially at the end of the day you end up with a good song.

Plus, dance music is full of amazing duos.
Ross: And for that very reason - you’ve always got someone to bounce ideas off. We were inspired looking at the best acts: Daft Punk, Justice, Air…they’re all kind of French…Chaz and Dave.

We’ve only heard one track is the rest of the music along those lines?
Ross: Not really. I think that it’s the first thing that’s really finished…
Chris: Don’t say that!
Ross: No, it’s not that. It’s just you want something upbeat. You don’t want to go too arty and it needs to be fairly accessible.

Pariis Opera House 'I Don't Know What Love Is':

Is there a specific plan behind releasing a short snippet, and all the mystery around the number 11?
Ross: There are so many bands that follow the rule where you choose a few tracks, give everyone ideas where you’re going, do the live shows, run the course blah blah blah, but this started out as a side project and now it’s a main project so we’re having a bit of fun with it.

So you're not going to tell us the significance of the 11?
Chris: Let me see, 11, 11, 11 there’s a lot about 11. Numerology. Well, kind of. I was born on the 11th? There are two of us, one plus one equals 11? It’s basic algebra.

Is there anything you did in previous project you thought I will never do ever again this time?
Ross: Sending nude Polaroids to record companies. Do you want some?

No thank you. We’ve seen Dappy naked. That image will last us a lifetime.
*Nervous laugh* Does his penis look like his hat?

No it looks like his leg. Let’s move on. If there was one food you could eat for the rest of your life and never get fat what would it be?
That’s hard. That’s a proper curve ball.
Chris: I’m going to say chilli-con-carne.
Ross: Candy floss.

Pop culture question - Are you watching X Factor?
Ross: Dipping in and out. I watch the results and make my mind up purely on the five seconds recap clips.
Chris: I like the guy who can actually sing and could actually be good.

Kitty?
Chris: Yeah he’s pretty hot.
Ross: I think there’s not enough pop stars who might actually kill someone.
Chris: Jack the rapper.

How drunk are you planning to get this evening?
Ross: I have between now, which is 9:38pm, and 1 am. I will do my best. I feel like we’ve been talking for ages.

We have, and we think you may have already had a few. Thank you very much, Pariis Opera House.

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