André Galluzzi has been a vinyl DJ for over 25 years, with residencies at Tresor, Ostgut and Berghain. During the past two decades he’s kept true to his roots as a vinyl DJ and has released tracks on highly regarded labels such as Cadenza, Cocoon, Ostgut Ton and High-grade. He co-founder Taksi Records and now runs his own Aras Records.
Hugely influential in Berlin and Germany’s electronic music scene, André’s musical highlights also include the legendary mix compilation, André Galluzzi: Im Garten, his event series Submerge, which ran for two years and which was hailed for his intoxicating 10 hour sets as well as playing jaw-dropping shows at Amnesia Ibiza.
In January 2015 André released his debut highly acclaimed solo album ‘Alcatraz’ on Aras, to a wave of incredible feedback and media attention. He’s also collaborated with numerous artists including Guido Schneider, behind the wonderful ‘Albertino’ track and most recently the duo returned on Sven Väth`s Cocoon label with last year’s masterpiece ‘Mario’. André followed that up with ‘The Nine’ Remix which also appeared recently on Sven’s ‘Sound of the 17th Season’ mix compilation and the atmospheric ‘Submerge EP’ on Josh Wink’s Ovum label. André also launched the party event, We Play Vinyl, a statement of his dedication and support for vinyl records.
André Galluzzi Interview: by Hans Hess
Tell us a bit about your history in dance music ? Where did it all start for you and why ?
My story began when my brother was working in a club as a door selector. He helped me get a job there so I became a runner and worked behind the bar, but I tried always to hang out close to the DJ, watching him play and seeing this was awesome. Finally I asked the boss to let me play one night and he said no. Then another night the DJ wanted to finish early so I suddenly saw my chance and jumped in and played my very first set.
How did the Frankfurt scene back in the day affect the dance music scene in Germany?
Lots 🙂 I remember the Omen Club, Dorian Gray or XS were institutions unlike anything else at that time and they built a rare and very important platform for music artists. A bunch of excellent Frankfurt artists, labels and the Neuton distribution company also helped to keep it rolling.
So many artist seem to have worked at the legendary Neuton distribution company and can you tell us a bit about those times?
Neuton started in the early 90’s and we – Ricardo, Heiko Laux, Paul Brtschitsch, myself and a few more used to work at Neuton for one simple reason. We needed to be close to the vinyl source to get all the latest releases and rare limited edition copies immediately. It was out life blood.
Tell us about some of your most prolific collaborations with other artists and which partnerships stand out for you?
Every collaboration has its own magic and success, and this is the wonderful and big adventure when starting a production. I’ve enjoyed working with all the people because everyone brings something unique to the mix.
You run the Aras record label with Dana Ruh and how did this project come about? What releases do you have in the pipeline?
I started with Dana but I ow run the label on my own since the fourth release. Aras is a creative base for me and a platform for other established artists and various young artists to release on. It’s very important to free yourself in an artistic way and work more experimentally like I did with my debut ‘Alcatraz’ for instance.
What other partners have you run labels with and why?
Paul Brtschitsch and I ran Taksi from 1995 till 2015 which was my first label. It all started as a low budget project, but we were full of passion and had a vision to create a base for our own style. Taksi tought me how to create great output with very little means 🙂
You have been in the scene a long time and what set up do you use when DJ-ing? Do you plan your sets in advance or do you work on impulse?
I play vinyl, so this makes the set up very special. I start preparing at home with an idea. Ideally I know the club already. So I get a range of music packed and sorted like: warmup, prime time and afterhour. What happens at the club is absolutely intuitive and magical. You never know what you’re going to play so every set is very individual.
You have a very busy DJ-ing schedule and tell us a bit about your stand out gigs lately?
It’s not easy to choose but let’s try to name few. A very cool venue I remember fondly is where my birthday party happened and that’s Club Der Visionäre in Berlin where I played an Extended 15 hour set. I always have a great time at Hive Cub in Switzerland and I love to play at Egg London as their sound system is massive:-)
You have a special relationship with Berghain and what makes this venue so special for you?
Yes I do, and this longstanding history with Berghain started when I became the very first resident DJ at their former club Ostgut. This spot is one of a kind, a gate which leads people to a border and always one step further across.
If you weren’t DJ-ing what do you imagine yourself doing?
No option – lol 🙂
Current 5 tracks
1 ‘Submerge EP’ – André Galluzzi (Ovum)
2 ’Lucea’ – Traumer (Get Traum 03)
3 ‘Tropic Factory’ – Tumult Hands (Recognition 38)
4 ‘Driven’ – DJ Koze & Robag Wruhme (Xnop 198)
5 ’Sushitech’ – Tessera (Records 40)
André Galluzzi heads up the first Berlin Berlin party of the New Year alongside Okain, Kater’s Ruede Hagelstein, The Sorry Entertainer and Peter Schumann, Sisyphos trio Jonty Skrufff, Fidelity Kastrow and Juli.N More and residents Kyle E, The Willers Brothers, Ireen Amnes and Fidel on Saturday January 21st at Egg London. All Info on www.egglondon.co.uk
