The German legend enters The Asylum as the freaks come out. Liverpool get ready
Interview by Dan Prince
Michael a massive welcome back to DMCWORLD…where in the world are you today?
Hello DMCWORLD!!! You’ve caught me at the Kompakt HQ, counting down the minutes until lunch is served.
What was the first piece of music you heard this morning after rolling out of bed?
The answer is kind of embarrassing but my mom told me to not lie. After reading a newspaper article that was praising the life-enhancing quality of a new Bavarian radio channel that plays nothing but traditional Alpine folk music, I gave that a try. In the end, Bavarian folk is world music too. I can whole-heartedly recommend diving into this.
Oh dear, Well a cool looking two days you had in Portugal last weekend, a cool vibe going on in Lisbon at the moment?
Always! Lux remains one of Europe’s top 5 night clubs for me… the sound, the crowd, the everything. It was the perfect way of picking up my touring again after my traditional winter breather.
A huge event for the UK coming up Easter weekend when you make the trip over to Liverpool and star at Cream’s Asylum Part 2 event alongside Marco Carola, Jemmy, Dan Ghenacia, Radioslave, Bill Patrick and Leon. Looking forward to some proper northern British clubbing?
It’s going to be my third time in Liverpool but this one looks really special. On paper it doesn’t look like the usual big room rave fare… the venue seems to be really special. If it’s a good enough hangout for ghosts it should also suffice for the living. I guess these poor souls are in for quite a culture shock.
Can you recall the first ever time you played to a British audience?
Yes, I do. It must have been around the year 2000 at Fabric. Not the worst place for a debut. It was love at first sight…
What can you tell us about the forthcoming releases on Kompakt?
There’s plenty of goodness in the pipeline… albums from Dave DK, Terranova & Kölsch, singles from Agoria, Kölsch, Patrice Bäumel and a special project between me and my buddy Reinhard Voigt that’s been in our heads since more than 12 years.
Loved the interview you did for Fabric with John Tejada on the run up to your next adventure at one of the world’s finest clubs. Your fine label business sense was highlighted in the piece, with that in mind, what are your thoughts on running a record label in 2015…
It’s going to be a very interesting year with both, Beatport and iTunes coming out of the gates with their streaming services. It’s hard to gauge if this is going to be the last nail in the coffin of many independent labels or if it’s going to work to their benefit. Obviously, I’m hoping for the latter. We’ll keep doing what we can do best…find, release and promote the music we love. May the almighty Jack be with us.
Another interesting point you raised was the disappearance of the experimental music room in clubs and events in recent times. As you said, back in the day there was always a chill out room that allowed the DJ to really go on an adventure. Who are some of the DJs from back then that you would love to listen to and where would they spin….?
There aren’t many chill out room DJs that managed to get the recognition they deserved. Dr. Alex Paterson or Mixmaster Morris are some of the rare exceptions. You’d often find some local music freaks behind the decks, the guy from the record store around the corner. It was all very unpretentious. The best chill out room ever was at Ultraschall in Munich’s abandoned airport Riem. Unfortunately, it’s long gone – I’d love to spend another night in there.
What are the 5 big records in your box this weekend…
– Weval – Gimme Some (Hunter/Game Remix)
Our Dutch boy wonder remixed by Italy’s next big thing
– Drum Talk – Euphonia
I’m a sucker for Gamelan sounds
– DJ Q – SS
The track title reads a bit weird here in Germany…great piece of music nevertheless
– Sex Judas – Big Sex Thing
Talking about weird names…Ace freak disco from Tim Paris’ ever-reliable Marketing camp
– Patrice Bäumel – Lowrider
Patrice’s latest monster from is upcoming Speicher 12″
The last time you pressed rewind on a track to listen to it again because it was damned good?
Just now while listening to the new TheeSatisfaction album.
Best ever festival experience?
Distortion in Copenhagen.. it doesn’t get any crazier than that.
An album we would be surprised to find in your collection?
Guns’N’Roses – Use Your Illusion pt II. I have no idea how that ended up in my collection. I needed to get rid of it so one night I gave it to some pretty spaced out guy on a gig in Munich. Now it’s his problem.
Not many people know this, but Michael Mayer is really very good at…?
…playing Rommé.
What was the last GREAT studio toy you bought yourself?
My 24 channel Studer mixer…a beautiful piece of furniture.
“I keep finding myself in the darkest corners of my record collection and totally discovering something I would never have thought I would enjoy listening to again…” A lovely quote from you. What was the last record that made you feel like that?
The Woodentops – Stop This Ca.r I’ve never really listened to the flipside which is a marvelous piece of dark ambient.
And finally, what is coming out next from you studio wise?
This record with Reinhard Voigt called ‘Time Is Running’.
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Michael Mayer will be playing at The Asylum part 2 at Nation, for more information head over to
…last few tickets remaining now!
For more news on Mr Mayer go check…http://www.kompakt.fm/artists/michael_mayer
