So Helmut, welcome to the DMC World. You were born in Altenmarkt an der Alz, what was the music you grew up listening to?
“Well first was radio, a big influence on me as a child. My mother listened to lots of records, lots of German dance samplers and some traditional music, and then came punk and new wave… I’ve always had a soft spot for funk as well.”
Over your 30 year DJ career there have been many ways to describe you and what you do…you have never looked for the superstar DJ fame and limelight, you spin around the world and are still in huge demand, you are label boss at Gigilo and even won GQ Man Of The Year. How have you maintained the energy for so long, and what do you prefer, running a label or DJing – or do they go hand in hand together?
It’s not easy, this business is always changing and it’s about staying true to what you’ve created AND trying to push the envelope and stay as fresh as possible. Never get too comfortable. DJing and presenting new artists on Gigolo is my passion, when you love something it’s not hard to maintain the energy, it comes naturally. Some DJs are only playing and not interested in making much music or having a label. For me, I started Gigolo as a label by a DJ, for DJs, so playing music and releasing music go together.”
You are known as one of the main people behind the Electrclash scene that emerged in Berlin/Munich in the mid-90s. What tunes from back then stand out for you personally?
“Well, we have had the honor to release so much great music over the years. Working with artists like Fischerspooner, Vitalic, Miss Kittin and the Hacker. Every release is something special to me, so it’s not possible to pick just one. What’s more important is that we helped some very special people in the beginning, and that those early members of the Gigolo family are still releasing great music, to this day – I’m very proud of them all.”
Your 2008 Gigolo album ‘Teufelswerk’ was a two discer of ‘day’ and ‘night’, full of amazing instrumentals, ambient experimentation, techno, minimal house and electronica. In DJ Hell’s house, what music would be heard daytime, and nightime today?
“By day I am listening to new demos, new releases, lots of new music from other Berlin labels like Get Physical and Minus, classical music, anything really. I listen to a lot of new music while driving as well. Night time is more quiet. After years and years in the business, sometimes it’s nice to listen to nothing, or to watch a good film. Films are something you learn to appreciate when you’ve spent the last 30 years constantly exposed to kick drums and bass lines.”
Your roster at Gigolo reads like a who’s who of dance music, which artists have you got some exciting stuff coming out soon?
“Gigolo has always been a platform for established Gigolo family as well as new artists. I love working with new artists and finding fresh ideas that work with the Gigolo aesthetic. Gigolo will be pushing a new artist – Kikumoto Allstars from Australia with a couple of singles and an album. Massive acid house, all analog. We’re also going to release new material from an artist named G.Rizo, she’s singing and performing live, producing these really catchy electro tracks, I think she’s going to be very big. Also from Poland, a new artist named Capitan Commodore producing highly danceable electro house, a 12″ coming from Peter Kruder – the man who produced my forthcoming album along with me… so lots of music coming. 2009 looks like a powerful year for Gigolo.”
You have played all over the world at some stupendous clubs, what have been the best?
“I always enjoy playing the clubs in Ibiza, Space is a regular summer stop for me. Onzieme in Osaka was very nice. I’ve also been to Moscow last fall and played in a club I had never been to before called Arma 17 which was very memorable, the sound system and the visuals and the people were going crazy… it all depends on the party.”
What is Miss Kittin like to work with?
“She is a professional, and very driven. She knows what she wants in the business. It wasn’t necessarily always this way. Everyone starts off small and grows into their personality. Miss Kittin has a new album coming out soon, they’ve expanded their live show as well. She’s a very special person.”
What were the recent Fashion Week parties/shows like in Germany you played at?
“This January I worked with Michael Michalsky for his most recent runway show. I’ve worked with him on past shows as well, we collaborate together to coordinate the music for the runway and then I play at the after parties. Music and fashion was always the passion. The two are working hand in hand, and designers like Michalsky and Joop, the work they are doing is something I will continue to support in the future.”
What have been the best Gigolo releases since you launched…?
“The tracks that really stand out for me are:
01 Fischerspooner – ‘Emerge’
02 Kittin Hacker – ‘Frank Sinatra’
03 Station Rose – ‘Hall’
04 Fetisch & Me – ‘Diskotectonic’
05 Hel l- ‘Familiendisaste’
06 Bobby Konders – ‘The Poem’
07 Dopllereffekt – ‘Porno Actress’
08 Fat Truckers – ‘Superbike’
09 Foremost Poets – ‘Moonraker’
10 Chris Korda – ‘Save The Planet Kill Yourself’
What other DJs around the globe do you rate – and are there any new up and coming German DJs we should be looking out for?
“I’m not really comfortable rating DJs, everyone has their own style. In Berlin there’s so many DJs it’s impossible to pick something. I am interested in what the artists releasing on Ostgut Ton are pushing. I see something of myself in them, from back in the days of course.”
What are the current big 10 tunes that you’re playing?
01. Ben Klock – ‘Subzero’
02. David Keno – ‘Discoteca’
03. Jesse Rose – ‘Touch My Horn’
04. Kerri Chandler – ‘Fortran (Argy’s Big Room Detroit Mix)’
05. Maetrik – ‘Socom’
06. Thomas Schumacher – ‘Picanha’
07. Kink / Neville Watson – ‘Blueprint’
08. Arnaud Rebotini – ‘777’
09. Kikumoto Allstars – ‘Bending Time’
10. Snuff Crew – ‘We Make You Scream’
How often, with your DJing commitments, do you make it into the Gigolo offices?
“I am usually in Berlin midweek, that’s the time I work closely with my staff and hold other important meetings. No matter what traveling I have, I am in close communication with Gigolo on the road at all times, especially now with so many new artists coming and my album coming up.”
So WMC coming up again in Miami, you have a party at Goldrush on March 28th – what have been the best night’s you have had at the craziest week in dance music?
“The first Goldrush / Gigolo party we did was pretty crazy. Great music, lots of beautiful ladies dancing and having a great time. I hope this year will be the craziest.”
The two CD compilation CD ELEVEN presented by DJ Hell is released on February 23rd on Gigolo…
