Interview by Nicky Trax
A huge welcome to DMCWORLD…where in the world are you right now?
Thank you! At the moment I’m in Brooklyn. I spend a lot of my time here as New York is where my heart is.
I understand you’re now resident in Berlin, how do you find the city and it’s scene?
I’ve been a resident of Berlin for 8 years now and it’s changed quite a bit from what it was on my first visits 13 years ago. There is still a vibrancy and power in what’s going on there, and I love the passion that crowds bring to Berlin clubs. It’s harder to define what the Berlin scene is, because it’s become a bit more like an on-going festival with crowds coming from all over the world every weekend. I still love it.
You’re coming to play the Sabajaq party at Egg Ldn, you are no stranger to the club but must be looking forward to playing at this event alongside Dynamo Azari and Extrawelt?
Yes absolutely. I always love visiting Egg Ldn, I’ve actually played a number of shows with Extrawelt recently but this will be my first chance to catch Dinamo Azari. It should be a really fun time!
What can party people expect from your set, styles and sounds at Sabajaq?
I really try not to predict what I’ll play, so much of it depends on the context of the party. I do really enjoy playing sets that reach into opposite corners of my collection, with plenty of techno but also electro and acid and some house of course. It’s a conversation, so I’ll respond to whatever comes my way.
How does playing in London compare to other cities?
London was the place I started learning to DJ, so it will always have a special place for me in that way. I’ve had a lot of experiences there, across a spectrum from okay to life-changing. I think of cities as changing, organic things, so I can’t say exactly what the chemistry experiment will produce between me and London this time, but I think it has some promise.
Do you have any secret weapons you can share with us ?
Well, they won’t be secret any more if I share them!! I’ve had pretty amazing reactions to tracks from the new album I’m about to release under my LA-4A alias. A lot of support from guys like Ben UFO and Scuba as well as a host of others. Coming in May…
How does it feel to have been working in Techno for the last 10 years, what are you proudest moments/memories of your career so far…?
It’s the kind of thing that creeps up on me and shocks me some times when I realise it’s been that long since my first record came out. To be honest, I really try not to look at the past. I’m making more music than ever, and playing more DJ sets and listening to more music and experiencing new things all the time. I don’t look back, as I really don’t have time. And in all honesty, my proudest moment is always ahead of me, as I almost continually have new music in the pipeline. The things coming this summer under Ambivalent and as LA-4A are some of the best music I’ve ever made and I’m exceptionally proud of that.
Recording and producing must keep you busy with your own Delft and Valence labels. Is there anyone you have worked with or one track that you’re particularly proud of?
I’m very proud of both labels, and really proud of all the artists who have appeared on them. Many of the artists have grown a tremendous amount since they started, and some great talents have graced the labels with their music. I take that as a massive sign of respect; someone I truly admire sending their music to the label is a huge moment. I’ve been thrilled by the reception the releases get from DJs and audiences. It’s a treat. There are a lot of great things coming on the labels, my new album on Delft, as I mentioned, as well as some great surprises on Valence coming this Spring.
You grew up in Washington DC and moved to Baltimore, then London, New York and most recently Berlin. How did these places have an influence on you?
It’s been a winding road but a fun one. When I first started going to clubs in the early 90s, the EBM and industrial scene felt like they were of the same world as the techno scene and the punk scene. Maybe that was my naive outlook, but it had an impact on my sense of music. The scene in New York was also really an explosively creative place in the mid-90s and early 2000s. I was exposed to so much great music and got to know many incredible artists. I really look back fondly on all the places and scenes I’ve encountered and try to carry that enthusiasm with me to all of my gigs.
What was your first big record you released?
My friend Camea signed my very first record in 2006 and it’s still special to me, although it sounds quite minimal compared to what I make today. I am honestly very proud of the records I have coming out this year which aren’t yet released. It’s almost painful to sit on music and wait for the release dates, because I so badly want to share it with people. But inevitably the best cure for that is to make new music. I can’t stop, and so hopefully each new step will teach me something and be enjoyed by someone.
Before you leave can you please tell us what we should be listening to before we head off to the Sabajaq party at Egg Ldn?
Check out the latest release on Delft by Vernon Felicity – aka Conforce. I’m a huge fan of his music and all his myriad aliases. This record was a real pleasure to release. I think it sold out the whole pressing of the vinyl in a matter of a week, so there are only previews now, but we’re working on getting the music back out there for people quickly!
Ambivalent headlines the Sabajaq party alongside ExtraWelt Live, Dinamo Azari, Just Her, Venice Calypso and more on Saturday April 23rd at Egg Ldn. All info…
