1. Why is Berlin the best place for young boy or girl to create urban music?
From my point of view Berlin is the most cosmopolitan city in Germany. In recent years Berlin gained more and more attention by tourists worldwide. As a matter of fact more and more artists and other creative people came to live in Berlin. It is now the city with the highest amount of musicians and DJ/producers in Germany. So you can meet each other easily every day for coffee and get in touch with cool people. Another important aspect is the low rent and the lower living costs than in other cities in Germany.
2. In recent years Berling placed itself as one of the most youth-friendly cities on the globe, and music was an essential part of this. On the other hand, the Love Parade was banned last year. How do you feel as a Berlin-resident is that affecting the music scene, esspecial the elektro-house music scene which captures the tipical feeling of the city?
The Love Parade was a very important event every year in Berlin. The whole city made lots of profits with it, i.e. hotels, restaurants, clubs...But the problem was that the big hype was over and the quality got worse from the end of the ninetees. It became a kind of nation carnival for everybody.
Last year we had a love week here in Berlin in stead of the parade. There were much less people, but those people were real fans of the music, and it was a nice atmosphere in the city. Of course not all the parties offered were good, because of the missing people. I think we should follow the idea of a love week or any kind of music festival, for example like the Sonar festival in Spain. We will have less people, but the »real« people who keep the spirit of our electronic music alive. For most DJ"s the parade was not the interesting thing, but the parties during this weekend. You could meet many artists from other countrys. Concerning the aspect that nowadays also many foreign artists live in Berlin and every weekend we have great artists playing in the city this »meeting aspect« becomes less important.
3. How does the expansion of UK "electroclash" sound (mix of elektro, rock "n" roll and tehno) and revival of 8
"s EBM music (electro based pop with vocals on top) effect berlin elektro-house scene? Does this present the treath for you or new oportunity to promote your own sound as a interresting variation of those two genres?
The electroclash sound was in fashion 3-4 years ago, but it was gone rather fast, because the Berlin techno and especially minimal scene is very strong. Of course you can find places where they play this sound, and for many people it was any kind of influence. Because many DJ"s have their roots in the 8
"s. But the negative aspect was that the younger crowd who doesn"t know the original sound of the 8
"s got to know any cheap copys of that sound and called it techno ;>
4. You have already performed in China. Where? Do you think there"s any chance for this unique country to become one of leading clubbing centres of the World?
I went to China in 2
1 to play in Beijing and Shanghai with my friend Shin Nishimura for his PLUS partys. It was my first time in Asia and I had an amazing experience over there. I played at the small Orange club in Beijing for about 1
people. They were really interested and excited about the sound, it was a rather underground feeling. Whereas in Shanghai the venue was a big modern club with 1
people. Compared to Beijing Shanghai is a rich city, you can feel it when you look at the people with their posh suits.
My friend Shin who"s originally from Tokyo moved back to Japan 2 years ago, because the electronic scene was quite difficult in China, but I think there is a good chance to create a scene in China when the economic situation gets better in the future. The electronic scene in the high developed Japan is very cool, I will make a tour over there this September again, it will be my 4th time.
5. One essential (cliche?) question for pop magazines as ours: Your best and worst clubbing experience (as a performer or attendant of party)?
One of my best experinces was a 8 hour DJ set at Globus/Tresor club during the Love Parade 2
2. As a Tresor Resident I"m playing every year on Sunday morning for the Tresor Park. The atmosphere was so great and became better and better every hour, and the club was so stuffed with a nice international crowd, everybody was extremely happy ;>
My worst experience was last year: I played in Tel Aviv at a really great party and had a great time. When I had to go back I found out that I lost my flight ticket (I never lost any things so far!) and had to buy a new one, so all my DJ fee was gone.
Another lucky experience: Last October I booked my friend Magda from Minus Records for my monthly Wednesday Globus night. I called her the whole day to check the playing time with her, but I couldn"t reach her. Finally I ask another friend to join me for the gig. At 2 am in the club somebody touched my back. When I turned around I was happy: it was Magda, she lost her phone in Spain before with all her numbers ;>
6. What are three most unusual things that have been thrown in the deejay booth during your sets? (I once cought golf ball – have no idea why would anyone need it in a club).
Unusual things? I just can think of usual things such as flyers with phone numbers or compliments and lots of drinks or ash on my records.
7. You"ve already wisited Slovenia: are you familliar with Slovenian production? Do you know any artist or label? Did you ever choose to play any records of our artists (I would understand if not, since we are still primarly technoland?)
I agree with you that Slovenia is mostly known for techno. And the most important artist is probably Umek, right? But as I remember my first time there"s a great potential for a cool tech house sound with Martelli.
8. Your very recent and present hot stuff (production/remixes/performances) and plans for next few months.
Recent production/remixes:
RAVE YOUR MIND_12" INCLUDING DIRT CREW REMIX (TELEVISION/KOMPAKT)
MARAL SALMASSI feat. ASCII DISCO_BANANA MAN_DAVE DK REMIX (TELEVISION/KOMPAKT)
FENGARI_TELL ME_DAVE DK REMIX (JACKFRUIT/DISCOMANIA)
Watch out:
MORGAN PAGE_OUTSIDE THE CITY_DAVE DK REMIX (SUGARCANE RECORDINGS) US label >
4/2
5
SASSE aka FREESTYLEMAN_ARMORED_DAVE DK REMIX (MOODMUSIC/WAS) >
4_2
5
HANNES TEICHMANN_JÄGER_DAVE DK"s "CHASE UP THE GROOVE" REMIX (FESTPLATTEN/KOMPAKT) >
6_2
5
New DAVE DK 12" for MOODMUSIC in summer 2
5