mcbess (all lower case) is an amazing illustrator/director who expresses nowadays’ atmosphere through his very detailed drawings.
He also did a bunch of cool covers for BeatauCue’s EPs, and the last one was for their brand new EP “Lyrel”, out on Kitsuné and now available! You can get it on our webstore and on iTunes.

So we asked him some questions about his work, his relationship to BeatauCue and so on. It’s also a good time to give you BeatauCue’s free mix they did for Gotta Dance Dirty so you can listen to it while reading the interview!

How did your passion for graphism start?
Not too sure, sometimes when I was a bit younger, not even sure I’m passionate about it, it’s more like a hobby when there’s nothing else on tv.

Where does all your imagination come from? You often draw fanciful universes, made of naked girls, food and garlands of flags. Do they represent your ideal world?
Yup, I tend to draw places I’d like to spend time in, but it’s also a weird representation of my friends and places that I actually go to. Basically everything comes from things I do or like, it’s way easier to get creative when you’re close to the subject.

Why do you often slip French slang words in each of your works?
I love swear words and slang, both in English and French, since I’m French I’ve got a few favorites, and I indulge myself by sprinkling them among my drawings.

You are the illustrator of Deezer’s latest campaign, what did you have in mind for this? Nothing can stop music, right? 
Ahah yeah, I didn’t come up with the concept or the slogan, I guess because of the heavy concentration of musical reference in my work I was a good fit for the campaign. It was a good chance to animate some of my character, and to do it traditionaly.

You are French but you are living in London, how can you explain it? France is not as inspiring as London?
I just really really like London, I like how I don’t have to understand everything everybody’s saying, and it’s very exotic, the weather, the ladies, the palmtrees. All my French mates are here too, so it’s fits, also I’m from Cannes, and Cannes is so boring, I’m loving it here.

Is Music a source of inspiration?
Yeah big time, I play in several bands, I was into music way before I started to draw.

This is the 3rd artwork you are doing for BeatauCue, how did your collaboration with them start?
They sent me an electronic mail via the interweb, I liked the name of the band instantly, and they were very friendly and polite, that how we started.

Have you been to one of their shows?
Yes, when they come to London, I even went backstage it was like going to Disneyland but with a lot more alcohol, it was brilliant.

What’s your favorite track among their new EP “Lyrel”?
Maybe “Red Blocka”, I also like the name. 

Would you like to do an animated video for Beataucue? 
For sure, that would be swell ! 

What’s next for you then? Any upcoming exhibitions?
Yup I’m doing a big show in Berlin beginning of July with the Dudes Factory, and a few shows with the band.