Stephane Pompougnac

Stéphane Pompougnac was born in Paris in 1968 and spent his childhood years in Bordeaux, France. He began his professional career in the hospitality sector, initially working as a waiter at the Hôtel Costes in Paris. At the age of 18, Pompougnac started DJing in Bordeaux at clubs such as Ubu, The Colony, and The Dream. Following his studies and national service, he moved to London for six months before returning to Paris in 1992. Upon his return, he established himself in the Parisian club scene, performing at venues including Queen, Folies Pigalle, The Locomotive, Diable des Lombards, and Privilège. A pivotal point in his career came in 1993 when he became the resident DJ at Les Bains et Douche. In 1997, he re-engaged with Hôtel Costes, this time as its resident DJ, a role that would define a significant portion of his career.

Pompougnac’s global recognition solidified with the release of his first studio mix, “Costes: France et Choiseul,” in 1999. This compilation marked the beginning of the highly successful Hôtel Costes compilation series, which would become internationally renowned in lounge and chill-out music. His second studio mix, “Costes: La Suite,” featuring Pink Martini’s “Sympathique,” significantly outsold its predecessor, surpassing 100,000 copies due in part to its use in a French automotive advertisement. His initial three compilations achieved combined sales of nearly half a million copies. Pompougnac has since released over 20 studio mixes and has contributed tracks, including his own composition “Morenito,” to soundtracks such as the auto racing video game “Gran Turismo Sport.”

Beyond his compilation work, Stéphane Pompougnac has maintained an active presence in various high-profile events. He has been a DJ for Les Venues de la Mode, a fashion award show, and has performed at fashion shows for prominent brands like Gucci and Yves Saint-Laurent. His work reflects a consistent focus on professional DJing and music production, extending from residential club roles to international events and studio releases that have shaped the lounge music genre.