Category: Exclusive Mixes

 

 

 

Hello Nicolaj. Nice to meet you for this small “Music & Interview” feature. Let’s start at the very beginning: your childhood & youth. Where were you born and how have you been raised? What did you want to do after finishing school? Do you work or study at the moment?

Hey Jürgen, thank you for having me, I really appreciate it. I was born in Bremen. It’s a wonderful small city in the northern part of Germany. In 8th grade ,I changed from a normal school to a boarding school in North Rhine-Westphalia because my childhood wasn’t the easiest. I finished school after two years, moved back to Bremen and I started to work right away. At that point all I wanted to do was music, so I just started working as a bartender to pay my rent, which I have been doing ever since. While working a promotion job I saw Berlin for the first time. This was in 2013, I was 18 at the time. I moved to Berlin in 2016 to do music, but left after half a year because of the very stressful and expensive housing situation. It just spontaneously happened that I then moved in with my best friend in Leipzig, which is really close to Berlin, so I thought it would be an easy way back to Berlin. Since then I‘ve been living in Leipzig.

 

 

With what kind of music did you first fall in love? When did you discover techno? As there any pivotal, special moment that made you go “wow that’s it. I love it and wanna be part of it”?

My first musical love was Boomfunk Mc – “Freestyler”, it was during my kindergarten time. I bought the single. My wonderful mother, who raised me mostly on her own, always listened to Grunge and Heavy Metal/Cross-over like Pearl Jam and Soundgarden, but also Rage Against The Machine and some other stuff, so I like this kind of music as well, because it was the music of my childhood.

But electronic music always grabbed my attention the most, wherever I heard it, for example in movie soundtracks like the Matrix or Blade. But in Bremen electronic music is not that popular, so my „that’s it“ moment was in Berlin in 2013. During the promotion job I told you about, I met a guy I already knew from school in Bremen. We became friends and he told me about „real techno”. His voice always had something mysterious when he talked about it. In Bremen, most of the people call anything from plastic/minimal Tech House to Electro Swing „Techno“ – but „Techno“, so he told me, would be „different here“, meaning in Berlin. I was intrigued and very anxious to experience it and so I asked him to show me what he was on about – like Berghain and his vinyl collection. After that there was no question – techno completely caught me, I was hooked and I knew immediately that I wanted to do this. This was where I can live out the more „unconventional“ side of myself. It felt like where I always wanted to be, where black and gloomy is natural, it’s not that much about emotions, it‘s more like atmosphere-over-emotions for me, it’s my personal definition of what it does and means to me.

 

 

Some of your family members are artists and musicians. What kind of music/art do they make? Were you involved with your family artistically? How did they influence your decision to become a musician and to produce techno?

My mother is an artist, shed starts her career as a tattoo artist and illustrater the year I was born (in 1994). My father played bass in different heavy metal bands and also was a singer songwriter. Because of that I‘ve been singing and playing guitar since I was a child. I actually started producing with guitar riffs, vocals, and simple beats quite early, at the age of 15.

My uncle made movies and then there is my little sister. That’s all, no more people in my family. Small but very special and very good. So my family had a very significant effect on me, because there was art and music all around me, everyday.

My mom also lives life her very own way. From her I learned that there is no good without bad, I think the music I make, which often originates from the bleak shadows of myself, is the best therapy one could get and in the end it promotes the bright, shiny sides of live.

 

 

You are about to release your first record on Ressort Imprint, the label run by Ekserd and Głós. How and when did you get in touch with them? A common way for young artists today is to release their stuff on their own label or at least via bandcamp. Did you ever think about releasing it yourself? Why did you choose RSI? Are these tracks the only ones you had on the shelf, or are you a busy producer with tons of stuff that never saw the light of day? What are your inspirations and how do you make an idea into a finished track?

Yes and I am really happy about having chosen RSI as the label I want release my first 12inch on. I have been working 24/7 on my productions and DJ skills since 2013, I listen to as many new releases as possible, so I had a good overview of labels to send my demos to. I wanted my first release to be well planned and on vinyl, so I waited and waited and worked and worked a long time until I found RSI.

I listened to every single track on the label and simply knew „that’s it, I will send my first official demo to this label.“ Fortunately it worked! I wrote a little letter about myself and my love for music, accompanying some of my tracks. Tim aka Ekserd wrote me back and asked me to make some more tracks.

When we had the first version of the EP in early 2018, he told me that it will at least be about a year until the actual release, so I asked him if I may work on the tracks until we reach the time-limit – so we could have the best result and tracks that fit the labels sound perfectly. That brings me to the question about my workflow. I produce literally every day. I breathe records. So I am definitely the producer who has tons of unreleased stuff, but I also delete a lot of it to have the most space and room for new ideas and to not be stuck with an old idea. The way I produce my tracks changes from day to day. I love experimenting. Sometimes I start with just noise and try to sequence it in an interesting way, sometimes I start with a kick drum, which I guess is the more the conventional approach.

If you don’t have a good financial background or start as a DJ, you likely will not have access to a big studio and you have to learn how to get the most out of the very little tools you have. like cheap plug-ins. You have to be very creative and well-versed in sound design to get a great result. Fortunately, from time to time I was able to buy a great synth and a drum machine while I produced the EP, so just at the right time. I felt as if I had wings with the new gear, so much more bandwidth and these gourmet, raw, more organic, vibrating sounds. But I learned in the years of having nothing more than a laptop that you can create masterpieces with nearly nothing – it’s about the emotions, not about the gear. I bought the Arturia Matrixbrute and the Analog Rhythm mk2, which I heavily used on my upcoming release. Because of this background I prefer a hybrid of digital and analogue equipment – sound design and so called „designer-techno“ fascinates me a lot.

I enjoyed the process of creating my own interpretation of a labels sound, but there will soon be a label of my own, for sure. It’s one of my main goals to simply do what I want. I set myself high creative standards when it comes to releases, which I think I can only fulfill on my own label.

 

 

Being from Bremen and now living in Leipzig you surely have a little insight into the techno scene in both cities. What can you tell us about the scenes there? Do you go out there often?

Well, in Bremen, good, quality events are really rare and hidden. There is no real marketing, promotion or anything. You have to know the people. It’s still mostly little paper-notes that you only get at the party, like in the old underground days. But if you enter the rabbit hole it’s a lovely space. It’s not this utopian vibe that you have in Berlin. It’s a lot of noise music, bass music, newbreak, garage-house and UK stuff, as well as a lot of really raw self produced stuff, but it’s lovely! Just like the city. A established artist playing there is something really special, but there is a breath of fresh air now with crews like Delusion, who book really nice acts to their venues and run their own label. That‘s great for the city.

The problem in Bremen is, that the local government doesn’t exactly make it easy to start a club or even rent space for parties, that‘s one of the reasons why many young people move to other cities.

In Leipzig, the scene seems more advanced, both musically and in terms of promotion and selection and bookings. There are also a lot of underground parties – in basements, houses or open airs. It’s kinda easier to network. The people are really open-minded and happy to take you through the night. Maybe it’s because there are really a lot of venues for this size of a city – many young people come to Leipzig because of the good club scene. It is huge relative to the size of the city and if you look at the line-ups at Distillery, IFZ or Mjut, you will see that the quality is very similar to bookings in Berlin. In Leipzig, „awareness clubbing“ also seems to be pretty much established. Most clubs and partys create a safe spaces for the LGBTQI Community and promote these policies, which is in turn reflected in the mindsets of the audience. So in clubs, politics are an important issue – just like the music is. It‘s 50/50. „Saferclubbing“ is also part of most club concepts in Leipzig, which means that you will get help from trained personal who known exactly what to do if you have taken the wrong pills, someone bothers you or if any other problems occur. They also promote these ideals in local politics.

 

 

You are not only artist and music consumer but also you worked at Leipzig’s famous techno club IfZ. What was your job there? What is it like to work at a place where most of people enjoy their lives? How is it different from a „normal“ job? Did you find the time to enjoy the music a little bit there?

Yes, i worked there at the bar. The job was fun. I became acquainted with a lot of interesting people and listened to a ton of good music. It‘s great if your bar-guests after their gig are Freddy K, Henning Baer, Rrose or other grandmasters of Techno. I also really love the architecture, the crowd, and the soundsystem. They do a good job. I think people should check out their bookings. It’s an interesting filter.

 

 

Many musicians and artists move to Berlin – a creative metropolis. Also your label Ressort Imprint is based in Berlin. Do you visit Berlin regularly? Is it an option for you to move back to Berlin in the (near) future? Do you understand the hype about the city? What does Berlin mean to you?

I understand the hype and I love Berlin very much. It‘s raw, it‘s dirty, it’s honest and direct. The main reason is the kind of „stepped up“ attitude of life that I feel when I‘m there. Every time I visit Berlin I am extremely excited. Maybe I will move to Berlin again when the time eventually feels right. Leipzig is a wonderful city, it’s also cheaper than Berlin. Many streets, the parks and all are just very romantic and provide a very creative and inspiring atmosphere, but Berlin has this “everything can happen antime-vibe” – I love both.

 

 

But let’s get back to music and your musical output. The accompanying mix for this feature is your first official mix/podcast. Please tell us how you get started and how you mixed it. Will you become a DJ now?

Since I started producing, I also dj with vinyl for myself. My plan is not to play the big bangers to get attention. I want to do it in my very own and individual way – with the most expression possible. The mix was recorded digitally because I couldn’t find all the selected tracks on vinyl. I started to select the tracks for the mix a few months ago.

 

 

Personal music taste often changes a bit over time – or sometimes completely. Please name your 10 all time favourite tracks (of any genre) and tell us why they have a special meaning for you.

10. Stratosphere by Thomas Hessler (IMF)
This brilliant Track touches me in a euphoric way. I just feel confident when I listen to it, it gives me courage. The virtuous rhythmic patterns, the impressive, aspiring vibe.

09. She Showed Me Heaven (Radial Remix) by Luke Slater (Mote-Evolver)
Driving, surprising laser sounding clubtool what energizes my to the limit. And I have to say it‘s just cool.

08. Calm Down by Answer Code Request (MDR)
It‘s impossible to describe what I feel when I listen to it and that‘s one of the reasons why it‘s that great for me.

07. Gospel Two by Johannes Heil (Odd Even)
Groovy dubby track, kind of ascendental atomshere, just awesome.

06. Dust (Tessela Remix) by Alex Smoke (R&S)
Heavy breakbeat, for me that‘s timeless, cutting edge

05. Tubular Bells (Oldfield) by Levon Vincent (Novel Sound)
Touches me in the deepest sense and the arrangement is really interesting.

04. Phantom Studies by Dettmann | Klock (Ostgut Ton)
For me this is just genius and not just a techno track, it‘s a techno song. I really enjoy this one while drinking my coffee, smoking a cigarette and just listen, but it also works in clubs, that‘s something I appreciate a lot.

03. Yasur by Fixeer (Tsunami)
This is the kind of ecstasy I need during a long, dark night , drives me crazy.

02. I Against I by Massive Attack feat. Mos Def (Melankolic)
A lot of trip-hop hooked me in my young years, this one has great lyrics and a killer-flow.

01. Edouard (Kareem Rework) by Blind Delon (Oraculo)
Very charismatic kind of techy darkwave track.

Well, it‘s not really a Top 10, I couldn’t do this chronologically. These are important songs to me that I often listen to to get certain emotional benefits.

 

 

Coming to the end of our small interview, I would like to ask you about your future plans. Are there any releases except for the EP on RSI planned? What about dj gigs? Or anything in your private life?

The main focus at the moment is to start my own label. There are also some remixes coming soon for an upcoming artist from Berlin and I have a lot of ideas, but I will take my time. My goal is not to produce an EP every day, just to stay on peoples radar. Time will tell, but I am diligent and obsessive, so there will be new stuff from time to time. Thank you for these exciting questions, Jürgen, it was a pleasure.

Photos by Maike Nendza (Nendzart)

Recommendations:
Nendza’s “Divulge” on Ressort Imprint
all stuff on Ressort Imprint

Exclusive Mix:

Tracklist of Exclusive Mix:
01. Isorine – Introspektiv Indeldning
02. Conforce – Black Mesa
03. Ntogn – Samten
04. Antonio De Angelis – Incrisis
05. Svecra – Nida
06. Bastian Balders – Rabea
07. Jamaica Suk – Pan Oramance
08. Groof – Empatico Iim
09. Viels – Rhyuski Grhosour
10. Izaru – Refused To Be Found
11. Luis Flores – Negative Pressure
12. Roll Dann – Intencion
13. Silvershower – Ice Fractions
14. Temudo – Longe
15. Juda 931 – Sleep
16. P.E.A.R.L – Infinite Stars
17. Strck – Type Type (Hector Oaks Remix)
18. Juan Sanchez – Morcilla
19. Kill Ref – His Sequenced
20. Hiroaki Lizuka – HH2 (Endlec Remix 1)
21. SVT – Subterrane A Realm
22. Dark Matter – Crystal Geometry
23. D-leria – End Of Line
24. Jokasti – Nek Pulsar
25. Fixeer – Yasur
26. Chris Shape – Shidevar
27. Illnurrse – Rubber
28. Uncrat – A Present For My Plant
29. Ontheground – Eternal Beings
30. Advanced Human – Swallowtail
31. Linkan Ray – Amok
32. Dold – Shutdown
33. Nimmo – Contradiction
34. Kareem – Hinrich
35. Asymptote – No Truth
36. Farizio Rat – Lupu
37. Borai – Dark Of The Sun
38. H4l – Disc 2 Dysnomia

Websites:
Nendza
Ressort Imprint

 

 

 

Hi Elad. After many years seeing each other it’s nice to have you for our “Music & Interview” feature. Let’s start at the very very beginning. Where were you born and how did you raise up? What kind of music did you love in your teenage years?

I’m so happy we get to do this. We do know each other very long so it’s about time. I was born and raised in Israel in a city called Rishon Lezion. I moved to Tel Aviv when I was 22 and then moved to Berlin in 2013. Growing up I listened to pop, rock, indie, new york house, I was into many genres. Later on I was into artists like The Knife, Soulwax, Groove Armada, Goldfrapp, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Moby, Royksopp & more…

 

 

As mentioned before we met a lot of times in Berlin’s clubs. You and your friends mostly danced in the special corner of special dancefloor. What does clubbing mean to you and your friends? Why did you choose this corner that’s becoming a little fame now?

Going out dancing is something very special and crucial in my life. The combination of music, good friends and dancing is what makes raving one of the most amazing experiences I go through in Berlin. Dancing to good music in high volume is so powerful, it makes me really happy and keeps my musical gears running. I didn’t come up with the concept of the Front Left corner, it was there when I started going out, I just joined it because my friends adopted it before and I fell in love with it. There is a curtain free minded, “all is welcome spirit”, in that corner. It happens in other areas too i’m sure, but there I met so many new people that had a similar friendly party vibe.

 

 

We talked about the “Front Left” corner. It’s also the name of your very own record label. When did you get the idea of founding your own label? What’s your purpose/intention of your label? Do you have a strategy or concept for it? The releasing artists at the moment are friends I know from the front left corner. One special thing about your label is that you always offer a digital bonus track that can be downloaded after the purchase of the physical release. What’s the idea behind that? As we know FLR01 was your very first output. Did you ever send your stuff to other labels before founding your own label?

Back in 2014 when I just started going out in Berlin, I used to give USB sticks to DJs I admired with my music on it. One morning I gave my favorite DJ one of those sticks, after he finished his closing set. Nothing much happened after, until he played again maybe 3 months later. All of a sudden, I was hearing my track on the dancefloor, without any warning or expectations. I was blown away, and that made me realize my music might be worth releasing. Releasing via other labels was a very hard, an almost impossible task, so I had to form my own label.

The concept is releasing music from artists who share the front left vibe. Often they are friends who dance together at the front left corner, sometimes it’s friends who are like family to us and share the same mindset. The digital bonus track is there to add some surprise to each release and to give back to the vinyl collectors who support the label. I indeed sent my music to other labels, before doing FLR01, without any results. Inboxes from famous labels are so full, most of them don’t really accept new artists and I get it. I had to take matters into my own hands.

 

 

The third release on Front Left Records features a very special artist – your boyfriend or better said your husband Mathias. How did you work together? Was it different to work with him instead of working alone on your stuff? Was it hard to stop thinking about the tracks when you want some private time?

Making music with my husband is super fun. We share a similar taste in music and he has a very good ear for rhythm. I always consult with him about my own tunes, he gives me amazing feedback. The production process is similar, just involving two minds. We just start a session and mess around with ideas, until something clicks. Then we evolve it by adding detail and more development.

 

 

Already from the start (of the label) you worked with established techno “stars” like Matrixxman (we interviewed him a few months ago) or on the latest release with Kyle Geiger. How would you describe the way of getting in contact and the way you worked with them? Can you tell us something about these collaborations?

I think more than 80% of the people I met in Berlin I met in Berghain. Sometimes through friends & dancelfoor moments, like with Kyle – we just clicked and got closer and closer throughout time. I love Kyle!!

With Charlie (aka Matrixxman), we met during his first gig in Berghain, for a brief moment. Later on, I sent him my track “Finger Trip” from FLR01. He loved it so much that he offered to remix it, I was so thankful. Right there I knew this person is a friend for life.

 

 

After releasing your own tracks there will be some remixes made by you (e.g. on Verschwender’s EP “Face Of Silence” via Seelen Records). How do you decide if you want to make a remix? After you agreed to work on it, how do you start with the creation? What’s different to your own production? What’s the process of working on a remix and what’s the process of creating an own track?

What Charlie did to me for FLR01 was so noble, it inspires me to give back to the community and to people I love with the same gesture. Verschwender sent me a bunch of his tracks long ago. I loved one of them so much that I was super happy to contribute a remix for his release. Same with Eònan’s first release which just came out. I like those people personally and I love their music, so it made total sense to jump in and make remixes for them. The process is also very similar to my own tracks, I just know I have to use one element or another, not always. It’s also nice to have a remix that doesn’t sound at all like the original.

 

 

Beside being a techno producer and DJ you are also known for creating your music videos. You’re a visual artist – an art director. Is that your “real” job? What inspires you for the music and what for the videos/visual art? Can you tell us something about the way you create a visual art like a graphic and a video?

Yes, my main job is making videos & animation. I love the abstract world, shapes & lights, but my work is all over the place – I do whatever is needed. Inspiration comes from the depth of my brains I guess, but also from the outside world. Sometimes when I dance in a club and watch the light show ideas come up – it’s a nice combination between music and visuals.

Being able to direct music videos for my own releases is a lot of fun, the final creation is unique. Normally I would start by writing the ideas, forming a script, producing the shoot itself (with the help of my great friends). I usually film all the videos with friends (or friends of friends) – people who love the label and the music. Then I will do the first edit, then move on to coloring & visual FX.

 

 

I saw cute pictures of your marriage with Mathias. If I remember right we met at Berlin’s demonstration after the bomb attack against the club Pulse in Orlando. Is the gay movement a political thing for you or more something private?

I am not involved much in politics, but it is important to me to support diversity, equality & open mindness. Love should unite us all – if you open your heart to people, you will be loved back. I surround myself with people who believe in that way, and try when I can, to spread the message. Before LGBTQ marriage was legal in Germany, I posted my marriage video publicly with a text about equality – it was important for me to use my experience to show all that love is love.

 

 

You are often back to Israel, right? Could you please compare the club scene there with the one in Berlin? What about the queer scene? Israel is a popular country for holidays within the gay community…

I visit Israel about 2 times a year to visit family and/or play in local clubs. The club scene has changed a lot since I left in 2013. When I was living there techno was non-existing. Now you can find great techno parties in places like Alphabet or The Block. One of the best gay/queer parties in town is called PAG and they play techno, so i’m happy to see people like it there as well.

Tel Aviv is very open minded. With a beautiful beach and amazing food – I can see why it’s a popular destination, I love it there.

 

I am really interested in the music you inspired, you love since ages and you still play from time to time. So please name 10 records/tracks and tell us why they are important for you.

This is a hard one. Techno-ly speaking, these ones are some of my alltime favs:

01. How Is Your Evening So Far by Josh Wink & Lil’ Louis
02. Luvsucka by Monika Kruse
03. Number In Between by Adam Beyer & Jesper Dahlback
04. See The Light by Roberto Bosco
05. Minus Orange by Richie Hawtin
06. Groove La Chord by Aril Brikha
07. Inland by Ed Davenport
08. Schöneberg by Marmion
09. Oraganon by Ignacio
10. X-Trak 1 by Percy X

(full stream of “Schöneberg” by Marmion)

Recommendations:
EP “Liquid Dreams” on Anagram
EP “Kinky Kicks” on Key Vinyl
Verschwender’s “Face Of Silence EP” w/ Elad Magdasi remix on Seelen
all stuff on Front Left Records

Exclusive Mix:

Tracklist of Exclusive Mix:
01. Fluke – Atom Bomb (Atomix 4)
02. Fluke – Atom Bomb (Atomix 5)
03. Oxia – The Night
04. Dax J – Voyager
05. Biemsix – Trip 003
06. Eonan – Eins Punkt Siebzehn
07. Elad Magdasi – Teleport
08. Oxia – Contrast
09. Naas – Shifted Gear (Alexander D’niel Gear Remix)
10. Jeroen Search – Walkers on Water
11. Quint – Dish
12. Funk D’Void – Jack Me Off (Old School Remix)
13. Traci Lords – Control (Juno Reactor Instrumental)
14. Union Jack – Two Full Moons And A Trout (Caspar Pound Mix)
15. Cindy – Did You Ever Bone Your Grandma
16. Fluke – Squirt (The Europicolamix)
17. Elad Magdasi – Glow
18. SOlid Sessions – Janeiro (Lemon8 Remix)
19. Depeche Mode – Photographic (Rex the Dog Dubb Mix)

Websites:
Elad Magdasi
Front Left Records