Introduction:
During the years of growing and developing a creative soul, Nic founded several bands to evolve as a songwriter, whether on the guitar, keys or drums. With an organic-instrumental background, he found his way to electronic music.
After releasing his debut EP with Shape Of Void (Berlin) in June 2016, he has played several shows all over the North of Germany and worked out a concept for his own imprint Drasma, which consistently hosts Labelnights and releases digital records.
During 2016, when he lived in Hamburg, Nic has put out records on Labels such as Robert S’ Imprint Trau-Ma, Nulectric Records, Simpelcoding and Drasma. Furthermore his second release on Shape Of Void came out late 2017 when Nic also moved to Berlin to study music and production. His sound is made up of a multitude of spherical sounds that change, blend, disappear and reappear to create an atmospherically dense sound along with hypnotic drum-arrangements.
Tracklist:
01. Singular Anomalies – Polynomial Function
02. Function – Reykjavik
03. Biemsix – We’re
04. Trs. – Living In A Spiral (Mix Down)
05. Hiroaki Iizuka – OPD
06. Pris – Etiquette
07. Lewis Fautzi – Ancient Way
01. Vil – Loss Of Sence
08. Shlømo – Parhelion
09. Kwartz – No Way Out Of The Hole
10. Christian Wünsch – Bleeding Walls
11. A.Morgan – Synapse
12. Marco Bailey – Icefyre (Setaoc Mass Remix)
13. Slam – Fractions
14. Yan Cook – Kingfisher
15. Temudo – Cava
16. Vladw – Angulate
17. ArchiveOne – II
18. Christian Morgenstern – Miscellaneous 6 (Ctrls Remix)
19. DJ Saint Pierre – Walk Under Water I (Endlec Remix V1)
20. Peryl – Not Yours
21. Inland – Cosinaxis (3KZ Remix)
About the concept:
Here is the twenty-nineth instalment of our series “abc plays xyz”.
The idea behind it is to ask some DJs/mixing artists if they have an artist or label in mind that they love and would like to use for a mix.
So the approach of each mix is clear: the choosen DJ/mixing artist makes a selection of tracks produced by one artist (and her/his monikers) or released on a label (and its sublabels) and creates a nice mix from it.
About Agonie:
Born and raised in Berlin, electronic music accompanied him his whole life. Its versatility and Berlin’s culture led him soon enough to harder genres like Techno and 2 years ago to DJ decks. Starting on small illegal raves, in 2017 he had his first gigs at Mensch Meier and Griessmühle. Agonie chooses a to play with Vinyl for the feeling of analouge mixing, but combines it with CDs to allow a fast mixing style. In his sets he experiments with different styles of deep, dark and driving techno, to create sometimes energetic and rhytmic, or sometimes hypnotic flows
About DEMENT3D:
The Paris-based collective, led by Heartbeat & Francois X, has made a name for itself with powerful and bold aesthetics, and introducing some of the French capital’s most prominent electronic acts since 2011.
Consequently, DEMENT3D stands more for an attitude rather than for a musical style in itself, with a wide-open set of genres and influences : from DSCRD’s experimental excursions rooted in “musique concrète” to Ligovskoï’s purest ambient drones.
In 2016, the family is growing, as the label will announce a handful of ambitious projects, among which : a double album by In Aeternam Vale, a collaborative double EP by Antigone & Francois X, a double EP by Voiski, and new projects by Hiss:1292 and Ligovskoï, with remixes by Peder Mannerfelt, Abdulla Rashim, and Polar Inertia.
Text taken from facebook page
Listen & Download:
“Agonie plays DEMENT3D” (download coming soon)
Agonie About His Choice:
Early on I was encountered with the music of Polar Inertia and immediately I got flashed by the creativity and complexity of his music. He draw my attention to the label, which distinguishes itself through intelligent, gloomy and characteristic techno. This mix aims to reflect the deep abysses of Dement3d records, a label that I look on as synthesis of the arts.
Tracklist:
01. Ligovskoï – Lethe
02. Polar Inertia – Indirect Light
03. Ligovskoï – Lethe (Polar Inertia Remix)
04. Antigone & Francois X – Ready To Escape
05. Hiss-1292 – Simbi
06. Polar Inertia – Parallel Transport
07. Hiss-1292 – An Ethereal World Created Through The ….
08. Antigone & Francois X – Love Trade
09. DSCRD – L’ Envers des Clefs (Lucy Remix)
10. Polar Inertia – Black Sun (Abdulla Rashim Remix)
11. Hiss-1292 – Augun
12. Valentino Mora – Wavellite
13. Valentino Mora – Elevate
14. Antigone & Francois X – Journey Home
15. Ligovskoï – Dilip (Antigone & Francois X Remix)
16. François X – Espheni
17. Polar Inertia – Major Axis
18. Polar Inertia – Floating Away Fire
19. Hiss-1292 – Eshu (Opuswerk Takes You Higher Version)
20. Hiss – 1292 – Known For Being Awkwardly Shaped Spaces
21. Francois X – Elusive Morality
About the concept:
Here is the twenty-eighth instalment of our series “abc plays xyz”.
The idea behind it is to ask some DJs/mixing artists if they have an artist or label in mind that they love and would like to use for a mix.
So the approach of each mix is clear: the choosen DJ/mixing artist makes a selection of tracks produced by one artist (and her/his monikers) or released on a label (and its sublabels) and creates a nice mix from it.
About nuúm:
Originally from a small town in the south of Germany, nuúm spent the last 4 years in Nuremberg before he moved to the capital a few month ago. During this time he used to play local parties and small clubs, gathering experience and shaping his style. After learning the ways of the scene and visiting clubs in Leipzig and Berlin he began to miss something in his hometown and therefore started the project MINDS øN EDGE together with two friends. Now, three years later, the Techno Party takes place every three months in Nurembergs finest Z-Bau, showcasing local and europe-wide rising talents. Nuúm always had a crush on atmospheric sounds and soon started collecting and playing vinyl. Influenced by labels focusing on the deeper shades of techno, his sound ranges from driving rhythms surrounded by gloomy atmospheres and trance-inducing melodies to more groovy and energetic oldschool-influenced gems, always keeping an eye on setting a trippy mood for the dancefloor.
About Function:
One of techno’s true underground heroes, Function (Dave Sumner) has been DJing and making music for over 25 years. He is a founding member of the Sandwell District collective, Berghain resident, Ostgut recording artist and owner of Infrastructure.
Hailing from New York, he was seduced by techno when Jeff Mills held residency (as well as his own first) at Limelight in the early 90s. Producing from the mid-90s onward, he released his first 12″s on Damon Wild’s Synewave and his own Infrastructure imprint. A chance meeting in 1996 brought him together with Regis (Karl O’Connor). The two worked as Portion Reform, releasing uncompromising music on Downwards, making him the only non-Birmingham producer to appear on the label. He later moved to Berlin in 2007, still working with Regis, and now Silent Servant (Juan Mendez), putting his focus on Sandwell District. Since, the label come collective, skyrocketed into cult status – decentralizing the artist ego, blurring the lines between the artist, label and dj; re-arranging the DNA of modern dance music.
Initially releasing records under their own identities, as the label’s success grew, it came to be seen increasingly as a collective entity, releasing tracks and albums anonymously partly in revolt against the increasingly celebrity-oriented DJ culture of the time, culminating in its 2010 collective album Feed Forward. Their sound has been highly influential across the following generation of techno musicians, and has informed a major shift in world techno. By the time the label announced its “glorious death” in 2012 (continuing only as a performing act) the American Billboard magazine would write that “Sandwell District’s influence on underground techno can hardly be overstated.”
The move to Berlin proved successful, bringing both Function and Sandwell District to enigmatic status. Headlining festivals worldwide, his sets at Labyrinth, Japan from 2009-2011 became things of legend; Sandwell closing Sonar’s main stage in 2010 proved their impact, with regular Time Warp, Awakenings and Dekmantel appearances (to name a few), combined with frequent club appearances at Berghain, Berlin; Fabric, London; and The Bunker, New York, and other key techno clubs/parties around the world, Sumner’s status as one of techno’s most important figures became evident.
After disbanding in 2013, their final transmission being; Fabric 69: Sandwell District, Sumner was invited to join the Ostgut family, releasing his debut album, the critically acclaimed, Incubation on Ostgut Ton, and becoming a Berghain resident. In 2015 he contributed to the notable Berghain mix series releasing, Berghain 07 – Function; the game-changing series which left behind the mix CD format, making the mix available as a free .WAV download and Soundcloud stream alongside two EPs with eight exclusive tracks by various artists.
In addition, in 2014, he collaborated with Vatican Shadow on Hospital Productions, releasing Games Have Rules, a beautiful full length ambient affair. Feeling the need for a platform to explore developing new artists and an outlet for solo material, he then decided to relaunch the 9 years dormant, Infrastructure New York, in 2015 – releasing a string of beautifully crafted 12″s and albums, developing a camp of new exclusive artists; Campbell Irvine, Post Scriptum, Mariano DC and Function/Inland, as well as involving techno classics such as Steve Bicknell and Altern8’s Mark Archer (Trackman). Going on to release the quadruple pack vinyl/CD label compilation; Infrastructure – Facticity, in 2016.
Heading into 2017, Function has already established a new residency, being the only international resident at, Bassiani, in Tbilisi, Georgia. He is also celebrating nearly 25 years as a recording artist, preparing two retrospective compilations for the newly formed Ostgut Ton off-shoot; A-Ton, as well as preparing a new Function artist album and performing with Luke Slater and Steve Bicknell as LSD.
Text taken from Paramount Artists page
Listen & Download:
“nuúm plays Function” (download coming soon)
nuúm About His Choice:
I chose Function, because he was one of the artists leading me to this specific niche of techno, inspiring me to dig deeper and deeper whilst discovering a scene I vibe with. The idea for the mix came up after buying the two ’recompiled’- compilations, Function released in 2017 via Ostgut. I was digging through my records looking for an artist with a diverse style, with whose productions a one hour vinyl only mix could be filled and Function fit perfectly.
Tracklist:
01. Function – Intro (Variance)
02. Function – Isotope
03. Function – Variance I (Reduced)
04. Function – Immolare (Version)
05. Function – Against The Wall (Edit)
06. Function – Modifier
07. Function – Untitled
08. Function – Psychic Warefare
09. Function – Reykjavik
10. Function – Burn
11. Function – Disaffected
12. Function – Colowyn Bay
About the concept:
Here is the twenty-seventh instalment of our series “abc plays xyz”.
The idea behind it is to ask some DJs/mixing artists if they have an artist or label in mind that they love and would like to use for a mix.
So the approach of each mix is clear: the choosen DJ/mixing artist makes a selection of tracks produced by one artist (and her/his monikers) or released on a label (and its sublabels) and creates a nice mix from it.
About Christos Charitidis:
21 year of age, Greek roots, born in Koblenz and currently living in Augsburg, Germany, Christos found his musical affinity already in his earlier years. When his focus shifted to the electronic genres at some point, he knew that this was where he belongs, as soon after he got hooked on DJing which also involved developing his stylistically signature, allowing him to dive even further into his passion. At the moment he spends most evenings and weekends putting countless hours into Ableton looking forward to getting his first release(s) on the way.
For the better part, Christos’ sound is based upon an atmospheric & deep track selection, resulting in quite trippy sets which can pick up quite a serious pace as well. Ambitiously following a “golden thread” in all his performances, Christos’ sets have received positive feedback not just at the groups home games.
On the 28th October of 2016 the “FACETS” collective was born with announcing Enrico Sangiuliano (Drumcode) as their very first booking. At the beginning of 2017 it became his and 3 of his closest friends’ embodiment of what Techno could sound like.
Their establishment – at the moment – includes 2 event series regularly taking place at local venues: The first, “A FACET of Techno with X” already featured genre heavyweights like Cleric (Clergy, FIGURE) or Christian Wünsch (PoleGroup, Tsunami Records) and Enrico mentioned above, while the second series, their “FACETS Night” is primarily targeted at locals and aims to get other artists, sharing the collectives taste & views – most adequately described with “strictly Techno” – to Augsburg for a night of fun with the local crowd. Since the beginning of this year their monthly airing podcast, featuring renowned and underground artists, as well as one of the crews’ members alike, accompanies their online presence and helps in spreading the projects name further than local events eventually can.
Just like everyone on the team, also Christos is excited about what the future has in store for their ambitions.
About Kwartz:
Kwartz is the stage name of Mario Campos, born in Madrid in 1989.
In late 2011 and after publishing several EPs in different international labels, Kwartz’s productions began to draw the attention of the leading names in the international scene.
It was in 2013 when Exium, the Spanish duo, got in touch with him to publish a split EP called Fenomen which was his first release on vinyl.
In late 2013 Kwartz joined PoleGroup and became part of the booking roster of the label commanded by Oscar Mulero, where he began to release his works regularly. In addition to PoleGroup, his tracks have appeared in several of the most important international labels, such as 47, Mord Records or Warm Up Recordings.
Kwartz is constantly searching for his own sound, so 2016 brings the launch his own label: Order&Devotion, where he will release those of his works which move in dark atmospheres with drones and deep and visceral sounds, all surrounded by rhythms designed for the dance floor.
Text taken from biography / presskit
Listen & Download:
“Christos Charitidis plays Kwartz” (download coming soon)
Christos Charitidis About His Choice:
Three and a half years ago, I discovered electronic music and it fascinated me from the very beginning. Kwartz was one of the first artists I discovered and definitely one of my favourites to this date. By the time I had dug deeper into the genre, I noticed that a substantial part of my all-time favourite tracks were actually produced by him, which made me appreciate him as an artist even more.
His unique and mesmerising productions have always inspired me and they also played a significant part in my own development as an artist.
My appreciation for his work increased even more when I finally got to see him live at Tresor last year. Which is why I chose him for this podcast.
Tracklist:
01. Kwartz – Her Green Eyes
02. Atemporal – Att 4 (Kwartz Remix)
03. Kwartz – Sinapsis
04. Kwartz – Slow Motion
05. Kwartz – Right Discipline
06. Kwartz – Reflection
07. Kwartz – Locked Target
08. Kwartz – Lost Signal
09. Kwartz – Eternity Looking Down On Us
10. Tranient X4 – 77 (Kwartz Remix)
11. Kwartz – Theory of emptiness
12. Kwartz – Colapse Process
13. Kwartz – Hate
14. Animal Farm – Never Happen (Kwartz Remix)
15. Kwartz – Hole
16. PVS – Collateral Damage (Kwartz Remix)
17. PVS – Compuvox (Kwartz Remix)
18. Kwartz – Sleepless
19. Kwartz – Resolution
20. TWR72 – Reflect (Kwartz Remix)
21. Hertz Collision – All Going (Kwartz Remodel)
Introduction:
Schlammpeitziger is the moniker of the German electronic artist Jo Zimmermann who lives in Cologne. His early reputation was built on his inventive use of cheap Casio synthesizers. The name is inspired by the amphibious fish Schlammpeitzger.
Interview:
Hi, Jo.
Thanks for this interview and nice mix of own productions. I discovered your music via a mix of Electronica tracks by Martin Gore (Depeche Mode) in 2001. The mix contained a lot of stuff I started to follow then but your track was one that got my bigger attention. So let‘s start with the first questions. What music did you listen to in your youth? When did you start with producing? Who inspired you? Did you have any other music projects you started before Schlammpeitziger?
Hi Jürgen. You’re welcome!
In the 70ties I was a big KISS fan (I´m born 1964). And in the early 80ties i changed to Wave,Disco and Electronic. Very important for me in this time were Bands like Residents, Telex, Bene Gesserit, Chris&Cosey, Der Plan, Andreas Dorau etc..
In 1986 I bought my Casio CZ 230 S. But really making tracks was around 1989. There was one projekt before Schlammpeitziger it was called Hal´s Dream. It was with a drummer, a guy with sampler and synth and me. We had 2-3 concerts here in Cologne and we split in ’91. They wanted me to learn notes.
And this was not my idea of making music. So Schlammpeitziger was born.
(Schlammpeitziger playing at a live gig)
Your releases were on small labels like Entenpfuhl, A-Musik, Pingipung, Sonig. How did you get in touch with these labels? Did you produce stuff after signing a deal or did you select the finished tracks for them from your drive? How did you select them? Why did you choose cassette and vinyl only for your first 2 releases?
I met Frank Dommert / Entenphuhl / Sonig in a pub. I was DJ there,and he liked the music I was playing.
He and some friends of him had a band that was called Kontakta. There was Georg Odijk (Founder of A-Music), Markus Schmickler (a musician), Carsten Schulz (musician), Monika Westphal (musician) and Hans Jürgen Schunk (musician) and Frank Dommert. They worked with Contact Micro Prepared Instruments like tables, windows etc.
And we all became friends. After listening to my tracks Frank made my first Release Erdrauchharnschleck on tape in 1993. There was no offical deal, no contract. Me and Frank selected the tracks from the tape. It was an easy yes or no system. Cassette was a easy option to bring out music. So we took this.
The second release Burgfensterrytmuskuckloch was a split LP with Masters Cosmic Music. And they had money for Vinyl. So they made it. And I was very lucky about it! My first vinyl. It was on the label Gefriem run by Jan Werner (Mouse on Mars), F.X.Randomiz and Joseph Suchy (another musician).
(Schlammpeitziger Promo Pic 1 2018)
Talking about your tracks…. How do you start a production of a new song? Where do you find the inspiration for them? Many tracks sound quite funny to me – with a funny melody or feeling.
I just start with a bassline or a melodyloop or a beat. And then collecting more and more loops, sounds and melodys. This gives me the inspiration in which direction it should go.
After this I start with the arrangement. And normally a track is finished after 2-4 weeks.
For me the tracks are not funny,i would say in a good or simple mood. But there is also a lot of melancholy in it. My tracks mostly did not get in people by hearing it just 1 time. If you want to find more listen again. I don´t pack them in a aggressive costume so people maybe find it funny. And it´s a lot of work! And that´s not funny.
(Video “Zwischenzischbericht”, 2000)
Your tracks & records have also funny names. How do you create them? Have they any deeper meaning at least for you? Do you have them all in mind – so you know what track it is when someone name it?
The titles, yes. Some are word constructions and some are direct in my mind.
The new record “Damenbartblick auf Pregnant Hill” is this view on that hill. This music was played while they looked at this hill. In my mind for sure!
Often I listen to finished tracks again and again and then I find things inside that bring me to the title/meaning of the track.
I think a can remember a lot of tracks but not all. That’s the problem when you have to much children!
(Live picture of Schlammpeitziger)
Like mentioned above I discovered your music via a Martin Gore mix that was broadcast on Viva (a German music television at that time) which was also used for the Exciter tour. Did you know about the mix before it was on TV or played at the concerts? What do you think about the mix? Did it create some extra attention for your releases so the sales grew?
I know there was a mix, but i can´t remember what was inside. That´s nearly 17 years ago. And my brain has not get better.
No I didn´t know something about it before Daniel Miller send it to me. No there was no extra attention or sales grew. Only god knows why.
The mix made by Martin was not the only connection to Depeche Mode. You also made a remix for their single “Freelove” in 2001. How did you get this job? Many electronic artists are fans of DM, inspired by them or at least respect the output. What about you, are you a fan? What‘s your DM favourite production and why?
Daniel Miller just asked me. And so I did it. And it was paided very good.
And “Freelove” is a nice song.
Do you know Boyd Rice and Daniel Miller – “Cleaness and Order”? This track was a fantastic reason to do it! This track was very important to me! So it also was a thank you Daniel Miller for this song. No I’m not a DM fan. But they have my respect. They are still there!
Back to your own stuff: you have a strong relationship to A-Musik, a record store in Cologne, a concert venue, a mailorder, a label. Could you please tell us something about this relationship? When and how it started etc…
Look Question 2 and: We are still friends. Sometimes I’m in the A-Musik shop or we meet at friends or concerts. It’s family.
(Schlammpeitziger Promo Pic 3 2018)
For me your sound is part of what I have in mind about electronic music from Cologne. What do you think? What defines the Sound Of Cologne? What differences are there compared to the music scene in Berlin etc.
I have no idea. I really don’t think about this. It is what it is!
For your live shows you work with an visual artist Ulrike Göken. Please tell us something about this. How do you develop the ideas,how do you make the films? Any plans to upload the stuff to youtube or other platforms?
Me and Ulrike are doing the videos since 2003. Right now we are developing ideas and cut videos for the new record. Means: 8 tracks – 8 videos. Later on we put some on youtube.
So over the years and between the records we collecting material we filmed. We film everything that is interesting for us – normal weired stuff. Or we ask other people if they want to make something.
Like for the track Damenbartblick, KotaUska from Ukraine gave us their great photos and we made a video out of it. We were friends on Facebook and we liked their photos so much so we asked and they said yes.
Great collaboration.
(Video “Damenbartblick”, 2017)
Wow already the last part of our small interview. You are just about to release your new album “Damenbartblick auf Pregnant Hill” on Bureau B, a label that released stuff by Andreas Dorau, DAF, Kreidler, Krautrock veterans etc. How did you produce this album? Why will it be on Bureau and not some of the labels you worked with in the past? And special story you connect with the album already? And what‘s coming next?
Was not so small at all. Like always at my “Auf dem Brett Studio” I work with computer, ipad and a Alesis Synth.
At the beginning it was very diffcult for me to make a next record after “What´s Fruit?”. This record was standing in front of me like a wall. And i had no idea what’s behind it!
So there was some month in a very bad mood, frustration and personal bad things.
I can hear this in tracks like “What i got”, “Angerrestbay” or “Smooth Motion Kaukraut”. These are very dark or sad tracks for me. But better times came back! So “Ekirlu Kongo” or “Bock Bounceburg” are good examples for this change. And finally I mixed the record with my old friend Mucki.
He has a great studio in Bergisch-Gladbach near Cologne – Mohr Music. That was also very important for my music! He understands my music very good.
Then the record was ready but my label before Pingipung didn’t like it. So i was there without a label after 24 years. That was very frustating. But Jan Werner (Mouse On Mars) had the idea to ask Bureau b. So I have sent the tracks and they liked it.
And suddenly I had a new and very good label! Very nice people are working there! The collaboration is very good!
And I’m on a label with my heroes like “Der Plan” or “Andreas Dorau”. Great!
Special album story: look above.
I hope a lot of concerts will follow now! And there will be 2 unreleased tracks on a split maxi next year.
Jo, Thanks for this nice interview & the beautiful mix 🙂
