Hervé is perhaps better known for his genre-mashing party productions and high energy DJ sets rather than his quick wit, but he managed to get a good five jokes in this quick email interview we did with him last week so we’ll allow him to add “Funny Man” to his long list of accomplishments. He will be headlining this Friday alongside Nest favourite, Reset!, and with talks of Hervé’s label Cheap Thrills hosting its residency within our Stoke Newington disco, we’re sure this will be the first of many cataclysmic rave ups. If you care about what Hervé’s new album is sounding like and what sorts of snacks he eats in the studio read on… More info and ticket links for Scandalism feat. Hervé, Reset! and Stripes available after the jump!

The Nest: Hello Hervé, welcome to The Nest blog. Are you excited about headlining The Nest? Do you enjoy playing dingy basement club spaces?

Hervé: Yeah, I’ve never played before but I’ve heard loadsa great things. I’m hoping to do a regular Cheap Thrills night there, but you say its dingy? Jack Beats have chronic OCD issues with dirt so I may not be able to get them down unless you clean your god damn selves up!

TN: I meant dark rather than dusty Hervé, we’re as clean as a whistle so don’t worry! You’re in the midst of a big album project at the moment, are you going out of your mind?

H: Yeah, I’m writing my solo album which is massive fun. It’s great getting 30 – 40 tracks and just trying to distil it down to11 or 12 tracks of pure unfiltered Hervé perfection There will be more tracks than that but all will be revealed at a later date. It is driving me a little crazy but luckily Charlie Sheen has been calling to give me advice and he reckons I’m winning.

TN: What’s it sounding like? Give us a bit of juicy aural gossip…

H: I’m just trying to capture my sound ghetto-bass-indie-rave-electronica-jungle and other such nonsense.

TN: Are there any specific tracks that you’re itching for everyone to hear?

H: Yeah, loads I’ve been playing them when I DJ. It’s a wonderful thing to see people go nuts to a tune they’ve never heard before and a great luxury to be able to test tunes out as you make the album. I’m writing tracks every day so there’s always new stuff to consider.

TN: Do you get nervous showing people new material for the first time? I can imagine the more proud you are of a project, the more terrifying it is awaiting its reception.

H: No, I get nervous DJing, but with my music i have been doing it a long time and have faith in my abilities. I think I have good instincts, so no I don’t get nervous.

TN: Last year’s Mega Mega Mega release was massive for yourself and Sinden. What was your favourite collaboration on the album?

H: I loved making all the tunes but I think “after dark” was the one I enjoyed producing the most. Kai and Will (from the Mystery Jets) are such great friends of mine, it was brilliant to make and as soon as it was finished we knew it was special.

TN: Are you and Sinden taking a step back from The Count and Sinden project?

H: I am, not sure about sinden. Maybe he could go on without me and just remove the o from count -  there’s loads of those in the music industry so it should be easy to find someone to fill that spot! Seriously though, I’ve got my Hervé album to do, then Dead Soul Brothers, Machines Don’t Care 2 (lining up some great collabs already!) and developing artists on my label Cheap Thrills. Sinden’s working on his own projects too. It was amazing to work with Domino but not sure if we will do another album to be honest, a couple of things need to change to make it possible.

TN: Will your signing with All Around The World/3beat mean you’ll release less on Cheap Thrills? What are your plans for the label?

H: Hmm, not sure. We will see how it pans out if we do the album with them or by ourselves. Either way I believe I have some fantastic music to put out all through the year

TN: What’s your favourite studio snack at the moment? I rock a packet of unsalted mixed nuts and a bag of revels when I’m at the computer.

H: I also favour the unsalted mixed nuts and apples, that’s all i eat for lunch. I will also eat a cat if any of the furry idiots dare to venture into my garden.

Limited advance tickets for this Friday’s Scandalism available here