The mastermind behind superb house label Sol Asylum live and direct
Interview by Rob Chadwick
Julie Marghilano is the brains behind Sol Asylum, the Berlin-based label that’s soon come to be a firm favourite for house music fans of a more daring and discerning persuasion. In recent times, the label has hosted top-quality music from the likes of Dana Ruh, Patrice Meiner and Miss Jools (who is actively involved in the day-to-day running of the label), but it’s Marghilano’s very own Let It Go EP that we’ve really warmed to of late. A fine concoction of grooves that have arrived just in time for winter, it’s the sort of intelligent offering that plays out beautifully on the mind as much as on the ‘floor. We checked in with the lady behind the music recently to unearth more…
Hey Julie welcome to DMCWORLD. How have the last few years been for you since you moved to Berlin?
“Five years have passed in a flash! It has been an eye opening, ear bending growth experience.”
Did you know many people before you moved over there? Was it a long time before it felt like ‘home’?
“I only knew a few people before I moved here but it was not long before I felt like it was home. It is a very open and friendly city.”
What are the best and worst things about living in Berlin?
“I think the best thing is the freedom we have here and the worst thing is that it is slowly changing and the capitalist monsters are starting to win, which really makes me sad. The perfect example is the Kunsthalle Tachles,the building was taken over by artists after the wall came down and contained studios, workshops, a nightclub, and a cinema. Outside, the garden featured an open air exhibition of metal sculptures as well as galleries and studios for sculptors and painters. The house was closed for good in March 2013, when the financial group Nordbank decided to make money out of it. A sad day in Berlin.’
When you arrived in Europe first, was it a bit of a culture shock in a way?
“Oh yes, I first arrived in Italy and I did not speak a work of Italian. It was terrifying and a big culture shock.”
What was the last record you bought? What made you buy it?
“Aaron Carl Crucified XDB remixes on MOM the edits are brilliant. I had it digital but it’s definitely one I wanted on wax too.”
What are your favourite record shopping spots in Berlin?
“My favorite spot is Spacehall, it’s down the street from my apartment and the guys there take excellent care and have a big selection of new and old.“
What’s been your favourite memory on a musical and personal tip?
“When my father gave me my violin at Christmas. I was thirteen years old and at a certain point when if you are studying violin you need to invest in a proper sounding violin. Well, they are expensive so I never thought he would get it for me. He asked me to get something out of the closet that morning and there it was, of course I cried from joy and then we played a Christmas duet together.”
Who were your major musical influences when you were growing up then? Do they still influence the music you make today?
“My father is a jazz guitarist and my mother is a singer. They will always be an influence in my music and in my life. In the electronic area I think maybe Art of Noise could be still an influence because they were already using recorded noise to make their music.
What’s been your proudest moment in your career so far then?
“Getting Sol Asylum up and running.”
Do you set yourself goals? With people you’d like to work with, labels you’d like to release on etc?
“I set goals mostly with people I would like to work with but not too much with labels. I don’t want to think of producing for a certain label. I just want to make music and if it fits to a label I like great, if not amen.”
So who’s been a massive source of inspiration for you over the years?
“I would say Matthew Herbert. I was lucky enough to do a workshop with him this week and it was incredibly inspiring. I love the fact that he is political and believes that music is a powerful tool that can be used to change the way people look at the world.”
And how long have you been DJing and making music?
“I have been DJing for about 13 years now. I did some collabs from 2002, but didn’t start producing all by myself until about 5 years ago.”
Do you get to DJ often? Have you had many exciting gigs recently?
“At the moment I don’t DJ every weekend and actually that is ok for me because I also love to produce. The most exciting gigs for me are always Sol Asylum@ Club Der Visionaere/Hoppetosse here in Berlin. There is always a really special exchange of energy with the crowd and artists.”
Do you pack different bags depending on where you are playing? Do you play differently for different crowds or have you your own style?
“I have my own style but I feed of the crowds energy when I play. When you get an exchange of vibrations and get in the zone together, there is really nothing like it.”
What sort of set are you most comfortable then? How would you best describe your sound and DJ style?
“I am comfortable with opening sets or main time. I love to do both but I definitely feel that opening sets are an art and not everyone is capable of doing it correctly. I would say my style is eclectic.”
Tell us a bit about your recent EP on your own label, Sol Asylum. Had you been planning it for a while?
“My latest EP took me to a very dark place artistically speaking but at the same time it pushed me to realize that I cant make music when I put myself under pressure, I just have to make music for myself and remember to use my instrument. The process is longer but in the end the result is always something more personal.”
Are you fairly confident in your skill set now or are you still working away at it?
“I am pretty confident but there is always something new and exciting to learn whether it’s a new piece of gear or just discovering a new way to design sound. I hope I will never stop learning and experimenting, that is the fun part.”
And what’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned about production since you first started?
“Don’t put yourself under pressure, just make music.”
What are the 5 biggest tracks you’re really digging at the moment?
“Berkson & What Make It True (Extended Edit). These guys are on fire at the moment.
Lawrence – Blue Mountain. A long time favorite producer of mine.
Dana Ruh, Miss Jools, Patrice Meiner – Various Artist Vol. 1 Sol Asylum. I am a little biased, but I have to say my family crew have some serious skills and I’m very proud of them.
Thomas Melchior – Feel (Sensual Bahia Remix). He needs no introduction, another all time favorite of mine and the original of this track is also an outer galactic experience…lol…
Roger Gerressen – Faithful. This guy has 6 monikers already and is one rare talent! He is definitely one to watch for the future.”
Julie Marghilano’s Let It Go is out now on Sol Asylum
http://www.beatport.com/artist/julie-mar…
http://soundcloud.com/julie-marghilano
http://www.residentadvisor.net/dj/juliem…
