Interview of Epsilon / Power System & Arkos (January 2017)
Epsilon / Power System (and Arkos) has been a prolific creator of demos, magazines and even games ! More than that, he was not only an experimented programmer, but also a great musician AND a skilled graphist ! Does this raise some expectations, hhmm? :) He was productive through 1992->1996.
I was very surprised to see poor coverage on Internet related to his massive work (excepted the disc-images available on the excellent CPC-POWER). So let's fix this today by exposing Epsilon's work through a dedicated interview ! Thanks for answering those questions !!!
DISCLAIMER: Replies were originally written in French. They have been translated to English to fit this website, trying to keep the original syntax and formulations.
I was very surprised to see poor coverage on Internet related to his massive work (excepted the disc-images available on the excellent CPC-POWER). So let's fix this today by exposing Epsilon's work through a dedicated interview ! Thanks for answering those questions !!!
DISCLAIMER: Replies were originally written in French. They have been translated to English to fit this website, trying to keep the original syntax and formulations.
1. Hi Epsilon! Please can you present yourself? (age, what are you doing for a living, etc).Hi NoRecess and greetings to everyone. I'm 40 years old, I'm an artistic producer (shows, music, short films...) and event designer (theme parties, team building, outdoor games...). The winter is rather artistic and indoors, in the spring and summer the projects are focused around the discovery of Paris through track games.
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2. When did you discover the Amstrad CPC? Was it your first computer?
3. Your first mature works (tools..) were published through the last living Amstrad CPC-dedicated magazines back in 1992-93. Do you have memories of that time ? Some people complained to never receive any money from those publications. Was it your case?
There have been publications in CPC Infos and Amstrad Magazine. I completely forgot the last issue of CPC Infos containing a listing to enter !
At that time, there was no expectations for money. We were enthusiasts and the merit of being published was great enough to satisfy our egos ... I did not know that some claimed money, it is a pity. The context has changed, alas everything becomes mercantile and it was not in the spirit of what we were doing between enthusiasts, whether from the CPC scene or other scenes like ATARI or AMIGA ...
In 1993, I was able to do my 3rd internship at Amstrad 100% with Poum, Crevette and the big names of the magazine. I had spent 3 days there. They had given me a copy of each Amstrad 100%. It was thanks to Poum that I seriously started to program. There was also Ness at that time, who was a switchboard operator and not yet a television host. She was the one who welcomed me to take my internship. I remember it because it was beautiful. Poum and the others were enthusiasts who earned very little money. So the silver quarrels 20 years later are probably wrong ...
At that time, there was no expectations for money. We were enthusiasts and the merit of being published was great enough to satisfy our egos ... I did not know that some claimed money, it is a pity. The context has changed, alas everything becomes mercantile and it was not in the spirit of what we were doing between enthusiasts, whether from the CPC scene or other scenes like ATARI or AMIGA ...
In 1993, I was able to do my 3rd internship at Amstrad 100% with Poum, Crevette and the big names of the magazine. I had spent 3 days there. They had given me a copy of each Amstrad 100%. It was thanks to Poum that I seriously started to program. There was also Ness at that time, who was a switchboard operator and not yet a television host. She was the one who welcomed me to take my internship. I remember it because it was beautiful. Poum and the others were enthusiasts who earned very little money. So the silver quarrels 20 years later are probably wrong ...
4. You were author of a diskmag called New Arcade. It was first released on paper, then ended as digital format in later editions. What did you learn from this experience?
This is a very relevant question because I keep saying that at that time, the foundations of my profession as producer and designer were already there! It was about creating, collaborating with other enthusiasts, structuring the project, realizing it, promoting it ... exactly what I am doing now with the production of artistic projects.
When I created New Arcade, in 1992 I was in college, in 4th (French grade). I completely messed up my studies by being taped to the CPC every night. In 3rd (approx 15 years old), my teachers refused to pass into second despite my drawing skills. Result: I finished my schooling at 18 years on a failure, virtually without diploma.
And then, revenge of life, I rebuilt myself when surrounded by technician and creative people. Because finally, the logic was the same as when making New Arcade. Participatory work with talented and passionate people.
After the CPC, in 1996, I bought a PC and I abused of Fasttracker 2. In 1999, I was tired of making instrumental music, alone in my corner. I recruited a guitarist and a singer, and we set up a Poprock / Electro band ... Everything I did after the CPC period artistically takes its roots in the Amstrad period.
And then, revenge of life, I rebuilt myself when surrounded by technician and creative people. Because finally, the logic was the same as when making New Arcade. Participatory work with talented and passionate people.
After the CPC, in 1996, I bought a PC and I abused of Fasttracker 2. In 1999, I was tired of making instrumental music, alone in my corner. I recruited a guitarist and a singer, and we set up a Poprock / Electro band ... Everything I did after the CPC period artistically takes its roots in the Amstrad period.
In 1999 I produced a 2 tracks CD with a small label in Paris. The disc was distributed as a deposit in the FNAC Paris Ile-de-France. Again, this is the direct extension of the music I composed on CPC.
We were creative, thinking about pushing the limits of the CPC. It was a challenge to defy machine time.
On the graphic side, I went on professionalizing myself with of course the Adobe suite. Revenge on the past, I validated as a free candidate last year a Baccalauréat Professional Craftsmanship and Crafts of Art "Visual Communication Plurimedia", with the best mention possible. So you see - I had really failed my studies. The success of this degree also finds its origins in my CPC creations of the time, and in addition, I presented a small animation film with CPC effects. As soon as I have a minute, I would put the animation finished on YouTube. It was done with the Photoshop edit table and uses visual effects from the CPC.
We were creative, thinking about pushing the limits of the CPC. It was a challenge to defy machine time.
On the graphic side, I went on professionalizing myself with of course the Adobe suite. Revenge on the past, I validated as a free candidate last year a Baccalauréat Professional Craftsmanship and Crafts of Art "Visual Communication Plurimedia", with the best mention possible. So you see - I had really failed my studies. The success of this degree also finds its origins in my CPC creations of the time, and in addition, I presented a small animation film with CPC effects. As soon as I have a minute, I would put the animation finished on YouTube. It was done with the Photoshop edit table and uses visual effects from the CPC.
5. For many of us, you were a source of inspiration. Your productions had a unique design. What inspired you back in the time? (Amiga, techno music, Logon System,.. whatever you remember!)
That's nice, thanks. My influences are the 70s and 80s, a lot of synth music: Kraftwerk, T21, Georgio Moroder (the best of all time in my opinion), instrumental music, the New Wave. All music based on synthesizers. The CD 2 titles that I released in 1999/2000 included synthetic orchestrations very similar to the sounds of the 80s. At the time, Eric Durieux the artistic director of Scorpio Music in Paris, told me that I was on 2 fronts: Pop and electro (I had to choose my camp). He noticed that the sound sounded video games, demos, 80s. Like what finally the influences mix at one time.
I had an Amiga and it was a source of inspiration for some sounds.
Finally, I can only thank my great master Hydris (Laurent V.) who taught me a lot. He is an outstanding musician, he is gifted in creation and performance. At that time, I had the chance to meet him while I venerated his creations, he brought me a lot and allowed me to make enormous progress. The last time we met was in 2009. We took some distance because of a stupid story, and I hope that one of these days we will have the opportunity to write a New page together.
As for the design, I do not have too much explanation on that. Even now with more sophisticated creations made with Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator, I know that I still use my style. I was trying to make visuals attractive, fun. Drawing by hand has brought me something no doubt, but certainly competition with other enthusiasts inspired me to be creative.
I had an Amiga and it was a source of inspiration for some sounds.
Finally, I can only thank my great master Hydris (Laurent V.) who taught me a lot. He is an outstanding musician, he is gifted in creation and performance. At that time, I had the chance to meet him while I venerated his creations, he brought me a lot and allowed me to make enormous progress. The last time we met was in 2009. We took some distance because of a stupid story, and I hope that one of these days we will have the opportunity to write a New page together.
As for the design, I do not have too much explanation on that. Even now with more sophisticated creations made with Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator, I know that I still use my style. I was trying to make visuals attractive, fun. Drawing by hand has brought me something no doubt, but certainly competition with other enthusiasts inspired me to be creative.
6. You participated to lots of meetings. Do you have some interesting memories to share? I guess traveling with a CPC was not that easy, right? :)
I'm still in touch with ALN of Power System, with Denis of the M & C fanzine (I think he was called that, I would have to ask him again). They've been close friends since 1992 and 1993. I saw Hydris for a long time until 2009. I'm still in touch with some CPC alumnis (thanks Facebook for that). Roudoudou even took me with ALN and a girlfriend to explore underground quarries in the region of Paris ...
So, lots of memories. I remember the first meeting where I went with ALN and Hydris: Bug's Meeting 2 in the East of France. We were excited. ALN had slept in Conflans where I resided with my family, it was camping at home with my CPC, his, and then Hydris who had joined us at the station (east station if I remember well). We left very early, in my memories we went to Montbeliard. On the spot everyone was participating, everyone was creating, coding, it was great. I remember having chained two sleepless nights. We left on Monday morning very early and on the train, we collapsed from fatigue. In the train's compartment, it was the bazaar, we slept with the CPCs laid everywhere. I arrived in Conflans around 5pm and slept asleep. I woke up on Tuesday around 6pm! But what memories!
So, lots of memories. I remember the first meeting where I went with ALN and Hydris: Bug's Meeting 2 in the East of France. We were excited. ALN had slept in Conflans where I resided with my family, it was camping at home with my CPC, his, and then Hydris who had joined us at the station (east station if I remember well). We left very early, in my memories we went to Montbeliard. On the spot everyone was participating, everyone was creating, coding, it was great. I remember having chained two sleepless nights. We left on Monday morning very early and on the train, we collapsed from fatigue. In the train's compartment, it was the bazaar, we slept with the CPCs laid everywhere. I arrived in Conflans around 5pm and slept asleep. I woke up on Tuesday around 6pm! But what memories!
At that time I also met Dracula, the members of Arkos, Eliot, Mage, AST, Chany and many others that I knew by their creations or because we were in contact. It was an opportunity to see everyone in reality. Imagine that at that time there was no Internet, no mobile phone. We were called by the fixed telephone, by the cabins and the letters with disc took a long time to arrive. I even had one that exploded and the sorting center of the Post Office was not pleased at all, he hadsent me a letter to tell me that their machine had exploded! My floppy disk too ...
Crazy when I think nowadays a smartphone is so compact and holds in the pocket, so much more powerful than a CPC. With Hydris we constantly moved CPCs at the time, he came to my house, I went to his house, same for ALN ...
Crazy when I think nowadays a smartphone is so compact and holds in the pocket, so much more powerful than a CPC. With Hydris we constantly moved CPCs at the time, he came to my house, I went to his house, same for ALN ...
7. You were productive at a time where digital sharing was achieved through letters sent to post (those letters contained Amstrad CPC discs). Do you have some funny memories to share of that specific time without Internet?
Ah bah this is the question that comes at the right time! I anticipated a bit in my answer just above.
Dracula often called on the fixed line Conflans with my parents. My parents were crazy to see us taped on the phone all the time, monopolizing the line sometimes until 10:30 pm. Finally, Dracula had invited me to Carcassonne and it was very nice to meet him. We had a good laugh.
The number of floppy disks sent by the Post Office, with the stamps where you put glue to be able to retrieve them then and reuse them. Pass them under hot water to remove the obliteration.
Dracula often called on the fixed line Conflans with my parents. My parents were crazy to see us taped on the phone all the time, monopolizing the line sometimes until 10:30 pm. Finally, Dracula had invited me to Carcassonne and it was very nice to meet him. We had a good laugh.
The number of floppy disks sent by the Post Office, with the stamps where you put glue to be able to retrieve them then and reuse them. Pass them under hot water to remove the obliteration.
Still about memories... I also remember a hoax of Mr. Roudoudou. He had posted fake numbers of a paper fanzine by putting the letters in the residence cities of some CPC guys, including me! Everyone thought I was the one behind the hoax. The letters were posted from Conflans where I lived. And then, he was amusing himself in reusing the stamp on himself from one letter to another, it was very impressive. Roudoudou was finally unmasked because of the serial number of the envelopes, he used the same for his personal letters. And this is how the scientific police (!!) unmasked the evil Roudoudou of the time.
8. What was your relationship with Dracula/Mortel ? :) Can you describe your friendship?
Wow that's is funny, I naturally anticipated the questions! It is that your questions are really well prepared, I do not read them before, I discover them as you go.
With Dracula, the exchanges were funny, always a little spicy. A kind of healthy and emulative confrontation. I think he liked to plant peaks, it's his sadistic side of Dracuuuuuuuuuuuuula.
With Dracula, the exchanges were funny, always a little spicy. A kind of healthy and emulative confrontation. I think he liked to plant peaks, it's his sadistic side of Dracuuuuuuuuuuuuula.
9. One of the biggest event after CPC death was organized by you in 1995 - and it's called the PowerSystem Megademo. This massive 3-side demo contained work from almost the whole french Amstrad CPC demoscene at this time. But you looked quite angry at the time because some people did not respect technical guidelines you imposed to allow a smooth linking between parts. Do you have memories about it / anything special to share?It's funny I have difficulties to remember it. I had completely forgotten this demo, probably because I was already elsewhere in my projects. Maybe I was sick of problems (I was outside the CPC scene and this probably had repercussions on the other activities).
I do recall some technical difficulties, but I do not remember the context. With time, I became more patient and more flexible, especially with artists and technicians. More directive and more precise. If everything had not been connected at that time, it was probably because my instructions were not clear enough and precise. That said, an artistic project never gets smoothed. Even when it starts with a good feeling. Everyone wants to do well, and sometimes make his sauce, this inevitably creates tensions. But at the end of the day, 20 years later, we are still talking about all these projects and all these enthusiasts. This is the most important, good memories. The remaining was not essential. 10. Still about megademos, last year saw the release of the amazing 30 Years Amstrad Megademo, lots of people were involved. Did you have the opportunity to watch it? Your thoughts?I did not follow the CPC news last year, so I discovered this project thanks to your question.
I think there is a certain nostalgia for that time. Young people are born within Internet, videos, images, sounds ... The power of computers is phenomenal. We have seen the beginnings of this technological boom. Animate sprites, create music notes by our, sound by sono, code each line with an assembler (Dams as far as I'm concerned). I do not know at all whether there are any CPC Meetings, but I would be willing to participate for fun. Moreover, I would like to compose a music with the Soundtracker 20 years later. Just to get sensations and sounds CPC once again. |
10. Just before the end of your CPC activities, why did you decide to leave PowerSystem and join Arkos?
I was all alone. Alone on my island. ALN was involved in other projects (from photography and porn movies as an actor then as a director). It was a bit strange to play Power System without ALN when he was the creator. I was very proud to be part of his team. And then I loved the members of Arkos, Julien is very talented. The level was high with them, it was motivating to join them and progress. Even if for me it was the end of my journey on CPC, I am glad to have left this scene with them. Julien's compositions are so beautiful, I love his work.
11. Then you left CPC for professional activities (radio..). Did you think at the time you could not mix public activities with private ones (CPC)?
The radio was locally-based, but time consuming. I also anticipated the army that occurred when I was 20, in 1996 for a period of 2 years. Then, from 1998, I studied the musical compositions with the Soundtracker of the PC. The CPC had no place in my life anymore, we each made our way separately. I admit that a girlfriend in 1998 accelerated everything :)
12. I also remember some (nice!) musics converted to the PC platform (.xm format), published through PC-Team magazine. Did you intend at the time to eventually migrate on PC as a demomaker/musician? (cf. to pursue the "Epsilon history"). BTW you had great talent, some of your songs are burnt into my head for ever :)
I have the feeling of a posthumous tribute, thank you ! (Kidding!). Seriously I am very touched but there are so many good composers and talented that I have a little embarrassment to receive your compliments.
Indeed there was the musics of PC Team in 1997 and 1998, just before the famous CD 2 titles of which I have already spoken. Some of these musics have allowed to be considered as a member of the SACEM (added by NoRecess: the organism in charge of professional musicians in France), being officially recognized as an author and composer. The entry point was hard but possible thanks to the publication in PC Team. Some friends (also musicians) got into the SACEM following the same procedure, they were very happy to be accepted as well :)
I remember a song: "The Move of Sophie", to make laugh a girl named Sophie. I got into the SACEM thanks to the words of this song ... It was shameful because lyrics kept repeating "Hum Sophie, you have the Move Sophie". It came close to the imposture!
From 1999 to 2006, I composed and wrote other musics, other songs sometimes with a guitarist and a singer. These songs were mixed quickly, I would have to take the time to put them on YouTube. They were models. I have the files in MP3 but I no longer have the native files because a hard disk has been destroyed. I unfortunately lost a lot of untapped music (and it is perhaps not worse for the credibility of the SACEM ...).
Indeed there was the musics of PC Team in 1997 and 1998, just before the famous CD 2 titles of which I have already spoken. Some of these musics have allowed to be considered as a member of the SACEM (added by NoRecess: the organism in charge of professional musicians in France), being officially recognized as an author and composer. The entry point was hard but possible thanks to the publication in PC Team. Some friends (also musicians) got into the SACEM following the same procedure, they were very happy to be accepted as well :)
I remember a song: "The Move of Sophie", to make laugh a girl named Sophie. I got into the SACEM thanks to the words of this song ... It was shameful because lyrics kept repeating "Hum Sophie, you have the Move Sophie". It came close to the imposture!
From 1999 to 2006, I composed and wrote other musics, other songs sometimes with a guitarist and a singer. These songs were mixed quickly, I would have to take the time to put them on YouTube. They were models. I have the files in MP3 but I no longer have the native files because a hard disk has been destroyed. I unfortunately lost a lot of untapped music (and it is perhaps not worse for the credibility of the SACEM ...).
13. Surprisingly, you were present to Croco Channel meeting in 2002, you even released a part of the meeting-demo! That was unexpected! So you considered being productive back again for a small amount of time.. please can you describe us the context? And why did it finish?
Was that in 2002? I am amazed when I see this level demo I still had in 2002 despite a few years without programming.
I have absolutely lost everything now, I would be unable to program anything in a Meeting, I forgot. On the other hand, making a music, perhaps a little graphic, I think that would still be lots of fun :)
I have good memories of the Croco Channel. I struggled with a bug to move the "Dracougniette" rackets and my Pong racket. Both rackets were moving at the same time and it was not pretty on the screen. Finally, it seems to me that they actually move according to the ball and return to their starting point so that the effect is fluid. I left the party with this effect, too tired to fix it. I remember that on my return to Conflans, I found the bug right away, once rested. The atmosphere of the Meeting was really nice too. We were also more mature.
Also, I got bugs during parties (Bug's Meeting then with the remake of Tetris, Tetris 95). Each time I was able to fix those bugs back to home, and I was happy.
I have absolutely lost everything now, I would be unable to program anything in a Meeting, I forgot. On the other hand, making a music, perhaps a little graphic, I think that would still be lots of fun :)
I have good memories of the Croco Channel. I struggled with a bug to move the "Dracougniette" rackets and my Pong racket. Both rackets were moving at the same time and it was not pretty on the screen. Finally, it seems to me that they actually move according to the ball and return to their starting point so that the effect is fluid. I left the party with this effect, too tired to fix it. I remember that on my return to Conflans, I found the bug right away, once rested. The atmosphere of the Meeting was really nice too. We were also more mature.
Also, I got bugs during parties (Bug's Meeting then with the remake of Tetris, Tetris 95). Each time I was able to fix those bugs back to home, and I was happy.
14. Are you still creative with a computer nowadays? (professionally or privately. Sorting family photos is OK too :-)Oh yeah ! I never stop ! Video editing, music with Cubase, Adobe suite, DTP, Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign ... I do not have time to get serious about 2D and 3D animation, but I would love to. I use a lot of computers as tool to create my communication media. To be noted: I never use the computer to play, I do not have the time nor the motivation. The computers remains a tool for the moment.
15. Do you still have contact with some demoscene friends of the time? (Dracula, Eliot, Antoine Pitrou, etc)For some yes, via Facebook. Roudoudou makes me laugh, he is the best at bodybuilding, a real coach for me! :) I had ALN on the phone a few days ago. I believe that a new movie is being prepared with his mentor Rocco. Denis of M & C was my very first CPC contact in 1992, he became a close friend. The best, the most faithful. I see him very frequently, and again tomorrow evening for a funny evening at his home. I would love to see Dracougniette and Eliot again soon, to follow.
16. Madram, Offset, Eliot, Targhan, Tom&Jerry, AST... were already active in 90s.. you know who they are! What is your feeling regarding them, still active on CPC after all those years? I guess you did not really believe them when they said "CPC For Ever" back in 1994!!For me, in all modesty and with a lot of sincerity, they are at a much more remarkable technical level than the level I had in the 90's. They are talented, creative, passionate. They take the lead to push their limits. I'm not sure I'm as passionate as they are. I am admiring all those guys who have been wearing the CPC flag for all those years. Besides, these are good guys.
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17. This interview is almost over, thanks your time. Do you have some words you would like to share as a conclusion? It's free speech here! :)
Ah ah, especially thanks to you NoRecess because this interview was unexpected. I took great pleasure in remembering these memories, thank you.
I forgot lots of things. 20 years later! But life is long, I hope there will be a new CPC meeting soon, it would motivate me to see everyone again and maybe give me the opportunity to compose once again for fun with the Soundtracker ??
BTW - There is a 1998 video with ALN and Denis (link available above in this interview). It was a little realization of ALN on one of my musics "Travel Kiss". There was an article in the magazine Future Music (or Music Run I can't remember). ALN and I were in pictures near a magnificent Seat Ibiza Plein Sud (a car), posing like stars (laugh) near Lake Enghien. We had gone to make this picture and finally, the last one was the right one.
Finally, let's me take advantage of this conclusion to clarify that I was joking regarding ALN, he did not do any porn stuff. :) He has been hoaxing me for years.. but I made a hoax involving him in 1999 and he has not seen the pictures yet. I talk about this for years now to him, he is convinced that I'm kidding. But it is true, with some complicities, we really trapped him, and one day he will have the images ... ah ah!
May the FUN spirit of the CPC be with us, and thank you to you, thank you all!
I forgot lots of things. 20 years later! But life is long, I hope there will be a new CPC meeting soon, it would motivate me to see everyone again and maybe give me the opportunity to compose once again for fun with the Soundtracker ??
BTW - There is a 1998 video with ALN and Denis (link available above in this interview). It was a little realization of ALN on one of my musics "Travel Kiss". There was an article in the magazine Future Music (or Music Run I can't remember). ALN and I were in pictures near a magnificent Seat Ibiza Plein Sud (a car), posing like stars (laugh) near Lake Enghien. We had gone to make this picture and finally, the last one was the right one.
Finally, let's me take advantage of this conclusion to clarify that I was joking regarding ALN, he did not do any porn stuff. :) He has been hoaxing me for years.. but I made a hoax involving him in 1999 and he has not seen the pictures yet. I talk about this for years now to him, he is convinced that I'm kidding. But it is true, with some complicities, we really trapped him, and one day he will have the images ... ah ah!
May the FUN spirit of the CPC be with us, and thank you to you, thank you all!
Many thanks Epsilon for answering all those questions !! It was a real pleasure to spend time revisiting your work. And now some more personal words towards you: THANK YOU, a real thank you for being a companion of my teenage years at that time :)
Bonus Material: Epsilon's Amsblazer Amstrad CPC revival, tribute to the CPC in 2015
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"Amsblazer Amstrad CPC revival", video in the pure "Epsilon style", created in 2015 ("Comeback version" in 2017).
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Bonus Material: Epsilon's work uploaded by NoRecess on Youtube
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