Format B

The Formatik Records duo bring us one of the biggest records of 2015 -‘Chunky’

Interview by Dan Prince


German tech-house duo, Format B, are Franziskus Sell and Jakob Hildenbrand, the renowned German DJs and producers who’ve made Berlin’s Watergate their native club home and the masterminds behind the Formatik Records imprint.  With a career spanning over 10 years, Format B’s forward-thinking albums ‘Steam Circuit’ and ‘Restless’, have been accompanied by singles such as ‘Vivian Wheeler’, ‘Rise’, ‘Magic Button’, and ‘Edding 500’ and a string of successful EP’s. November 13th sees the release of one of the biggest records of 2015 – ‘Chunky’…instantly recognisable the moment it drops, ‘Chunky’ has enjoyed phenomenal support at national radio including a ‘Hottest Record’ from Annie Mac and gained a wide range of further supporters including Danny Howard, MistaJam, Huw Stephens and Pete Tong. We check in…


Jakob welcome to DMCWORLD…where in the world are you today?

In one of my favorite places….at home on my couch.

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

I think it was Olly Murs on the TV…his new single sounds suspiciously like “The Weeknd”…

So a really exciting time for you right now with the release of the massive ‘Chunky’ on Ministry of Sound Recordings. Please talk us through the sound and history of the track…

The track indeed has a funny history. It was November last year and I needed a track for our 5 year label compilation really quick. I was at home, 3am already. Very tired I was tooling around with some acapellas and beats in Traktor to find a starting point. Then I accidently skip on the vocal part, later the “Chunky Theme”….next day I went straight to the studio…when the first skit was ready we were like: “This is next EP, we need another track for the compilation!”

Did you know on completion you were sitting on something rather large?

I had the feeling that the tune could be liked by many people or different tastes…but I had surely no idea of what’s happening now with it…

Tell us about your studio set up – who excels in what department?

I am the one developing mostly 4 bar skits at first. If we both like the idea we are having a couple of sessions together to make the best out of it. With the inspiration of 4 ears we always get it far better as if there is just one guy working on it. In the end I like to spend 1-2 headphone only sessions on it to get into the details in mixing…

When was the last time you had a big argument over music?

I know it sounds hard to believe….but we never have opposite opinions in the studio. When producing a track and there is something to decide we go through the different ideas together. If one of us doesn’t like it in the end it means there must be a better solution. However this means we sometimes change some parts for 5-6 weeks before everybody is happy…..

Your musical journey began playing bass guitar…say for instance you set up a dream band…who would you choose for duties…Carol Kaye, Bootsy Collins, John Entwistle, Tina Weymouth, Peter Hook, Paul McCartney…or none of the above?

Wouldn’t say no to Bootsy Collins on the bass! I have always been a man of the Funk….

What were your first ventures into electronic music – who were the producers/DJs that first drew you in?

I think for me it was more like that specific tracks gave me the passion and inspiration. One of the early tracks track deeply influenced my productions was Mr. Oizo “Flat Beat”.

What are the future release plans for Formatik Records…?

Next release is a Raumakustik EP with a remix from us….very looking forward….it’s a heavy hitter…

Who are some of your favourite labels at the moment?

Hmm kind of hard to say…since I mostly follow artists I like. I just had a look into my playlist and there are 800 different names!!

Not many people know this, but Franziskus Sell and Jakob Hildenbrand are really good at…

Betting each other. It can be anything…artist names, actors or movie release. It takes about 2 seconds of disagreement and there’s the sixpack bet…I lost the last two…means I got to bring 12 beers tomorrow to the studio….damn.

What are the 5 big tunes in your box this weekend, please give us a few words on each track…

Sam Paganini-Another Chance….coolest techno track track of the year

Tiga, Ron Costa…-Dancing…unique groove, cool vocals, must swinger

Julio Navas- Under Control (Victor Ruiz remix )-that’s a bassline drop kids!

Moonwalk- Acid (Max Chapman remix)…great oldschoolish techhouser

Sabb, Forrest-One of us (Detlef remix )- laidback bomb

The last amazing studio toy you bought?

I guess I need to name a software tool…no hardware bought for a long time…its the UAD Cooper Timecube…the wideness and stereo effects this little 99$ plug can do is worth a 1000$ for me.

For our readers around the world who have never had the opportunity to experience Berlin’s Watergate club, just what is it about this place which is so amazing?

I guess the lower riverside dancefloor is pretty unique…

It’s your birthdays. Who are the DJs you invite to play?

I guess some friends like andhim, Super Flu….

An up and coming producer to watch out for in 2016…

Not really newcomers but the Deepshakers just passed us a smashing demo….coming in February. If they come up with more of that….puuh…

What was the last GREAT album you listened to?

Bonobo -The North Borders

Your anthem of the summer?

Gregory Porter- Liquid Spirit (Claptone Remix)

Your biggest life achievement to date?

Maybe to live this self-paced life and work with music. It is a gift you should appreciate.

And finally, what is coming out next from you studio wise?

We just finished a remix for Martin Solveig’s “plus 1”….

http://www.formatb.com/