Shonky

Shonky, born Olivier Ducreux, is a Paris-born, Berlin-based house producer best known as one third of Apollonia, the DJ trio and label he runs alongside Dan Ghenacia and Dyed Soundorom. His own productions favour groove and repetition over obvious hooks, a style built over two decades in Paris's underground and, since 2009, Berlin's club circuit.

From Mathematics to Batofar

Ducreux studied mathematics for five years before deciding to pursue music full time, a background he rarely brings up but that stands out against most house producers' origin stories. He was drawn into Paris's dance scene through Dan Ghenacia's Sunday "Kwality" parties at Batofar, the converted lightship moored on the Seine that became one of the city's key underground venues in the 2000s. Ducreux released his first record in 2005 on Freak n'Chic, and followed it with releases on Crosstown Rebels, mobilee, Substatic and Reposal the following year, quickly becoming part of the same wave of Paris producers, including Ghenacia and Dyed Soundorom, credited with reviving the city's underground scene in the mid-2000s.

Apollonia

In 2012, Shonky formed Apollonia with Ghenacia and Dyed Soundorom, a DJ collective and later record label named after Apollonia Kotero, the actress and singer who starred opposite Prince in "Purple Rain." The label launched with its first release in early 2013. Apollonia became known for extended back-to-back-to-back sets built on a strict one-record-each rotation, often running five hours or longer at venues including DC-10 in Ibiza, and the project has remained Shonky's most consistent and visible outlet alongside his solo work.

A Slow-Burning Album Career

Away from Apollonia, Shonky has kept a much slower release pace under his own name. His debut album, "Time Zero," came out on Freak n'Chic in 2008, and it took until 2022 for a follow-up: "On The Run," eight tracks of deep, groove-driven house released via Third Ear Recordings, his first full-length in nearly fifteen years. In between, he built a catalogue of singles and EPs for labels including Real Tone Records, alongside his ongoing Apollonia output.

Live at RTS.FM

RTS.FM's archive includes a Shonky DJ set recorded in November 2011, part of the channel's run of house and techno bookings from that period, alongside a separate set recorded at RTS.FM's Berlin studio in December 2009.

FAQ

Who is Shonky?

Shonky is the recording name of Olivier Ducreux, a Paris-born, Berlin-based house producer and DJ, best known as a co-founder of the Apollonia collective and label alongside Dan Ghenacia and Dyed Soundorom.

What is Apollonia?

Apollonia is the DJ trio and record label Shonky formed with Dan Ghenacia and Dyed Soundorom in 2012, named after Apollonia Kotero from Prince's "Purple Rain," known for extended back-to-back-to-back sets built on a one-record-each format.

What are Shonky's own albums?

Shonky has released two solo albums under his own name: "Time Zero" on Freak n'Chic in 2008, and "On The Run," released via Third Ear Recordings in 2022, his first full-length in almost fifteen years.

Did Shonky always work in music?

No. He studied mathematics for five years before choosing to pursue production and DJing full time, releasing his first record on Freak n'Chic in 2005.

Has Shonky performed at RTS.FM?

Yes. RTS.FM's archive includes a DJ set Shonky recorded for the channel in November 2011, alongside an earlier set recorded at RTS.FM's Berlin studio in December 2009.