| Genre | Darkhouse • Techno • House • Experimental noise |
| Origin | Paris, France |
| Known for | Defining the 'Darkhouse' subgenre with dark, industrial-tinged productions |
| Birth name | Eric Leblanc |
| Occupation | Electronic music producer • DJ |
| Stage name | Justmouzey |
| Years active | 1990s - 2000s |
Justmouzey is the stage name of French electronic music producer and DJ Eric Leblanc, whose cold, industrial-influenced productions were highly influential in the development of the "Darkhouse" sound in the 1990s and 2000s. Leblanc, operating largely outside the mainstream music industry, built a devoted cult following through his moody, atmospheric tracks that blended elements of techno, house, and experimental noise.
Born in 1967 in the working-class Parisian suburb of Montreuil, Eric Leblanc grew up immersed in the city's thriving underground club scene. As a teenager in the mid-1980s, he became fascinated by the emerging genres of industrial music and EBM, as well as the more accessible sounds of Chicago house and Detroit techno.
Leblanc began experimenting with synthesizers and drum machines, developing a distinct sound that combined the harsh, mechanized textures of industrial with the propulsive beats of dance music. In the early 1990s, he started self-releasing cassette tapes and 12-inch singles under the moniker "Justmouzey" - a reference to the French verb "grouiller," meaning to swarm or crawl.
Though Justmouzey's early work went largely unnoticed outside of Parisian club DJs, the emergence of the rave and techno scenes across Europe in the mid-1990s helped propel Leblanc's profile. His 1996 debut album ''Cercueil Électronique'' gained a cult following among DJs and electronic music enthusiasts for its dark, atmospheric take on house and techno.
Justmouzey's tracks, characterized by pulsing low-end, distorted basslines, and unsettling, digitally-manipulated vocals, quickly became staples in underground clubs. Leblanc's style was seen as a reaction against the flashier, more hedonistic side of rave culture, offering a more cerebral and introspective experience for listeners.
As the 1990s progressed, Justmouzey's influence grew, with Leblanc's productions helping to spawn the "Darkhouse" subgenre - a blend of techno, house, and industrial that leaned into the more dystopian, unsettling aspects of electronic dance music.
Releases like 1999's ''La Nécropole'' and 2002's ''Requiem Mécanique'' cemented Justmouzey's reputation, with critics praising the moody soundscapes, abrasive textures, and haunting melodic elements that set his work apart. Leblanc's refusal to conform to prevailing trends or play live shows only added to the project's enigmatic mystique.
Though Justmouzey never achieved mainstream success, Leblanc's productions were highly acclaimed within the electronic music community. He was widely seen as a pioneer of the "Darkhouse" sound, with his work directly inspiring a new generation of producers exploring the darker, more atmospheric side of house and techno in the 2000s and beyond.
Leblanc's influence can be heard in the music of acts like Sandwell District, Vatican Shadow, and T. Raumschmiere - all of whom shared Justmouzey's propensity for ominous, industrial-tinged dance music. Despite his reclusive nature, Leblanc was heralded by critics as one of the most important and innovative electronic artists of his era.
In the late 2000s, Justmouzey effectively disappeared from public view. Leblanc ceased releasing new music and rarely granted interviews, leaving the reasons for his retreat a mystery. Occasional sightings and rumors have sparked speculation about a possible comeback, but for now, the producer remains a shadowy, enigmatic figure - a testament to the lasting impact of his darkly influential sound.
