How Did Maxime Guedj Get 1.6 MILLION Fans? Passionate Hard Work, And A True Love Of Music

1. Can you introduce yourself? When did the music bug infect you?

Hi! I’m Maxime. Two things I love: solving problems and music. I believe music is essential to us, has always been around and will always be. Given that, I try to improve people’s lives by building web products focused on music. Passion, creativity, focus, and harmony are my four cardinal directions. 

I’ve been listening to music since forever, I couldn’t sleep without it when I was a kid. It really infected me when I had the chance to be the art director at Radio Everyone. I then interviewed many artists, discovered what was going on behind the scenes and decided I wanted to be part of this world. When you see the joy you can bring to people thanks to the universal language of music, everything else looks quite boring in comparison :)

2. You founded the huge music community on Facebook “Je Ne Peux Pas Vivre Sans La Musique (La Musique)” how much time did you spend choosing its name, and how can you explain its incredible success?

It was in 2009. At that time I remember I understood the power of communities and that it should be the base of any project online. Seeing the rapid growth of Facebook, that’s where I wanted to bet and I started a group there with this name. It attracted a few people and in a few weeks we were a few thousand exchanging music there. Then Facebook released their famous “Pages.” Seeing the huge potential of a page compared to a group, I converted it (you could do that at this time). The magic of viral buzz started instantly, it was really crazy. Hundreds of people were liking it every second! I couldn’t stop refreshing my browser and for a week I couldn’t go to class because I couldn’t focus on anything other that that! In a couple of months, more than 300,000 people liked it and today we’re reaching more than 1,640,000 fans! 

It would be pretentious and untrue to say that I’ve got a clear explanation of all of that it was all planned. But I can say this is the result of a few things: luck, passionate hard work, and perfect timing. One of the many things I’ve learned is you’ve got to stay creative and true to yourself along the road if you want to keep making something people truly enjoy and are willing to spread around them. I try to always remember that behind data, analytics, likes, comments, and clicks there are real people behind their screen using what I create so I’d better make something that is honest and has a positive impact. 

3. How does your love for discovering new music translated into your new project Mailtape?

Mailtape is an idea I had during a trip to San Francisco. We help people discover new music in a very natural way by offering Sunday morning listening sessions. We’re trying here to create a very intimate moment where the listener can really let herself go with the music and open her ears to new sounds never heard before, without judgement. 

Our home is open and inspiring artists are collaborating with us on every session, giving that way their unique touch to it. Nicolas Jaar, Connan Mockasin, Kid Koala, HVOB, Fat Freddy’s Drop and many other have already been featured. 

We’re two working on it with Ludovic. We’re thinking about opening new positions in order to spread this experience to more and more people around the world. 

4. Who should sign up and how can we support it?

Well, everybody course! You just need to love music and be curious. Signing up is as easy as ABC, put your email, and…that’s all! We’ll make sure to wake you up gently every Sunday morning. 

If you love it and want to support us, spread the word and don’t hesitate to make donations directly through our website. 

Thanks Maxime! You can subscribe to him on Whyd to keep up with some of his latest personal discoveries! 

Broadcaster at Radio Campus Paris, Community Manager at JNPPVSM, Jonathan Melgar Cannot Live Without Music

IMAGE: COURTESY RADIO CAMPUS PARIS

1. Can you introduce yourself? Where are you from?

I’m Jonathan Melgar, I’m the Community Manager of JNPPVSM, a great community of music lovers on Facebook. I’m also a music broadcaster at Radio Campus Paris (93.9 FM). Everyday I dig finding the best new albums and bands. These bands just need a little push to start their careers and as far as I can, I try to give them this visibility on the radio. 

I grew up in the northern suburbs of Paris, way too close to CDG airport. I now live in Paris at Menilmontant. 

IMAGE: COURTESY JONATHAN’S WHYD PROFILE

2. What is Radio Campus Paris, what do you do there, and who should listen to your broadcasts? 

Radio Campus Paris is an associative radio based in Paris. Its role is to give a voice to the student community in Paris. You’ll hear all kinds of radio shows on it: cinema, news, art, history, sciences, but mostly MUSIC! 200 people are working hard everyday to give the best experience possible to our audience. 

It’s original, with no advertisements, fresh music, and lovely people. If you are looking for a new way to discover music, just turn on your radio to 93.9 FM in Paris. 

IMAGE: COURTESY JNPPVSM

3. You just started a new adventure as the Community guy at “Je Ne Peux Pas Vivre Sans La Musique” (I can’t live without music) which could be the motto of every music lover on Whyd. What attracted you to the project and what are your goals there?

I was attracted to JNPPVSM because I’ve always had this will to share music as widely as possible. I love to ask people randomly what is the artist or song they love RIGHT NOW and I start digging in my head to find out what could be their next crush in music. Sharing is caring! 

The originality of this community: they post dozens of YouTube videos everyday in order to share them with the rest of the community! 

4. Time to get personal, what type of music makes you move? When did you realize that music would occupy such a large part of your life? 

I think I realized that music was going to be important in my life around 20. It’s kind of late but some people will just never realize what they’re good at, ever! I had first experience in the music industry at this time and I knew I was made to dig and share music. I have to say I’m lucky, working as a music broadcaster on Radio Campus Paris and managing JNPPVSM is so cool and it’s so me! Wouah!

I just made this playlist for Whyd and its community! Hope you’ll like it. 

Thanks Jonathan! Make sure you follow him on Whyd for his latest favorite tracks!