François X on Fame, Excess and Finding Purpose in the Club Scene
- Filip
- May 15
- 2 min read
DJ, producer, and label owner François X opens up about choosing music over a conventional life — and how the industry’s glitter can quickly turn into grit.
In this episode of Playful Podcast, we meet François X, a name synonymous with raw, emotional techno and the Parisian underground. But beyond the booth and booming subs, he’s got stories — about why he got into the scene, what kept him there, and what nearly broke him.
“It wasn’t about becoming famous. It was survival. I needed music more than it needed me.”
François isn’t shy about his entry point into electronic music — it was a lifeline, not a strategy. He describes discovering techno as a moment of clarity, a path away from chaos and toward creative control. And yet, he’s just as candid about how quickly the scene can become a trap of its own.
“I started chasing something pure, but somewhere along the way, profit and status replaced curiosity and love.”
On Success, Pressure, and Saying No
In a space where burnout often hides behind afterparties, François X shares how the industry’s obsession with “more” — more gigs, more followers, more attention — nearly cost him his sense of self.
“There’s this illusion that if you’re not constantly visible, you’re irrelevant. But some of the best things happen when no one’s watching.”
He also reflects on fame not as a prize, but a distraction, and how he's learning to reframe what success really means to him.
Drugs, Escapism, and Coming Clean
The episode doesn’t dodge the heavy stuff — François is honest about his past relationship with drugs and alcohol. Not in a sensational way, but as part of his larger journey to reclaim agency and self-worth.
“It’s easy to feel like the scene gives you freedom, but sometimes it’s the very thing you need to escape from.”
Whether you’re deep in the rave world or just orbiting around it, his insight cuts through the fog of smoke machines and social media hype.
Watch the full episode: François X on Playful Podcast
