Andre Crom

Exclusive interview with the OFF Recordings boss as the label changes direction

Interview by Dan Prince


Andre a massive welcome to DMCWORLD…where in the world are you today?

“Hey Dan, I’m in my home studio looking at the grey sky of the world’s techno (and bad weather) capital Berlin.”

What was the first of music you heard this morning after rolling out of bed?

“Discovered this killer remix by Andre Lodemann on Soundcloud:  Marlon Hoffstadt & Racquet – Crumbe (André Lodemann Remix).”

So major news from the Crom camp this week with your first solo release in 2 years plus mutterings of a new direction for the mighty OFF Recordings, Let’s kick off with ‘The Devil’ – loving the pounding tech drums and Thomas Gandey’s eerie spoken vocals…please talk us through the history and sound of this track…

“The devil went through a number of instances, the first versions were very deep and musical, but I felt the vocal had the potential for something more like a dark techhouse smash…which it finally became, after laying the focus on the arp stle bassline – and of course Thomas’ amazingly eerie vocals. Really happy with the result, have been playing the track in all my sets since it was finished and it always works like hell (ha).”

The track’s analog bassline is very reminiscent of an Italo disco vibe…perfect for a big room and the festival – is that what you had in mind?

“I think it also works great in a club, but yes, with most of the music I sign and produce these days, I aim for an emotional and cineastic approach, music which tells a story and which is memorable. Which is not to say that I do not also like toolish tracks – I think a good DJ set needs both “emotion” and “function”.”

A new year – a new direction for OFF – what can you tell us…

“Indeed, in the past year I got tired of the often more deep house-ish music which OFF got known for in its early years. Deep house sort of grew into “the new EDM” and I had the decision of “do I wanna try to become a radio pop producer or go the long term way and focus on underground music?” I listened to my heart and decided for the latter. So in 2015 I’m focusing on more timeless music, mostly emotional and melodic sounds from techhouse to techno, trying to find sounds that are both different, memorable and maybe a bit weird, but still accessible for the dancefloor.”

Who are some of the artists we can expect on the release podium at OFF in the coming months…

“Our musical refocus goes in hand with a renewed artist roster. In the next months we will have EPs and remixes by established names such as Kyodai, Kruse & Nürnberg, ED ED & Sasse, Crom & Thanh featuring Jinadu, Kiki, Thomas Gandey, Curses, Olivier Giacomotto or Simone Vitullo, but also talented newcomers like Melokolektiv, Konvex & The Shadow or ME&her.”

The OFF crew have been busy event wise these past few months…what are the next events lined up for us all?

“There will be two label nights in Australia with Jay Lumen and myself, and we’re just booking further nights in Europe. We’ll surely do something at Sonar!”

What are the 5 big tunes in your box this weekend…

“Mano Le Tough’s remix for Vermont’s Übersprung: I love the contrast between the massive kick drum and the emotional pads and synth hooks.

Terranova – Twisted (Dub): a great techhouse tool

Crom & Thanh – Mando: a signature tune that did not leave my set since we produced it half a year ago

Kyodai – Marea: a great cineastic track from their upcoming OFF EP, fresh from mastering.

Andre Crom – The Devil: of course…”

Last month saw you smash South Africa, the sunshine looked amazing! What were some of the highlights of the trip…your first to the African continent…?

“I really loved it down there. Amazing landscape and weather, Truth Johannesburg must be one of the best clubs of the continent. And Cape Town is very likely the most beautiful city I ever visited, the natural beauty surrounding it is just unbelievable.”

A young, up n’ coming producer to watch out for in 2015…

“I’d name both Melokolektiv and Konvey & The Shadow here, two projects from the south of France, which we are just building as new OFF core artists. You will hear a number of great productions of them on OFF in 2015!”

3 bucket list adventures you wanna do in your lifetime…

“Get a pilot’s license

Riding from Berlin to Cape Town on my motorbike

Warming up for Steve Aoki without getting lynched by the crowd.”

The last time you pressed rewind on a track and listened again because it was so damned good?

“The Howling – Signs (Original).”

We had DJ Ravin in the interview booth last week, the man from Mauritius who is leading The Buddha Bar around the world. You played in Mauritius at the start of the year, it always amazes us that little spots like here, Aruba and Antigua are putting on great parties. How was your date in the Indian Ocean?

“Truly insane. To be honest I did not expect a crazy party when I saw the location in the daytime, but when my set came everybody was completely wasted, and REALLY up for a party. The set was a great trippy experience, and the after party even better.”

You gave a high five to Ten Walls recently for basically being honest at his music…” With Ten Walls, I don’t want to be like cool, underground, you know, hipster guy; I just want to try and make music for people.” Not many underground artists are so open about facts like that…why is that?

“When your music is as good as Ten Walls, you’re in a position where saying something like this shows you as a humble and a “real” person. I mean, yes, he does music for a big crowd, but still musically very accomplished and parts of his live set are definitely challenging for somebody who might only know him from “Walking with Elephants”. Somebody whose music has less depth might try harder to appear “cool”, and therefore avoid statements like the above.”

An album in your collection we would be surprised to find?

“No idea, anything a techhouse DJ/producer is not supposed to listen to?!”

Word on the grapevine is that you may have finally had enough of the Berlin winters and are looking for a move to warmer climates? What is the latest?

“Haha, it’s becoming like a running gag to myself and my friends. I’d love to move to Barcelona because of the weather, landscape, quality of life…but Berlin is the “techno capital” of the world. Most of the artists I work with either live or visit regularly here, my booking agency and label office are here too, my studio etc. I’m sure I’ll move eventually, but right now there is just so much to do, from touring, music production to growing the label… guess one day I’ll flee spontaneously when I cannot stand the grew Berlin skies anymore at all.”

And finally, what is coming out next from the Andre Crom studio…

“Just finished a remix for the “Shooting Stars” EP by Konvex & The Shadow. Another killer original is almost finished as well. Right now I’m really focused on further growing my studio skills and producing new material, I am even taking vocal classes and started writing my own lyrics, so let’s see what happens later this year song wise!”

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