Co founder of cool Berlin collective Beste Modus, Stevn.aint.leavn has served up a slick cut on the new Planetary Notions EP. A key part of the city’s underground scene, DMCWORLD checks in for another world exclusive with one of the hottest producers on the planet right now…
Interview by Dan Prince
Stevo a huge welcome to DMCWORLD, where on this crazy planet are you at the moment?
Hey guys, thanks for reaching out. I’m in Berlin as usual.
What is the best new music you have heard in the last 24 hours?
I really like the latest EP on Gosu by Thomas Rooge aka Phil Evans. Just bought the record and can’t wait to play it.
Big news for you right now thanks to your slick track on the new Planetary Notions release out this week. Please talk us through the history and sound of ‘Peacherine’…
Phew…it’s been some time ago that I made this tune, probably 1 or 2 years, so I can’t really tell you that much about the process. Mainly I just sit down whenever I feel inspired and see where it takes me.
You are part of the hot as fuck Beste Modus collective in Berlin which we will come to later. Let’s kick off with a little history…you caught the music bug at an early age with hip hop and soul two of the genres grabbing your attention. Do you hail from a musical family, how did music enter your life?
I’m not from a very musical family, even though my dad is very passionate about music. The real interest for hip hop, soul, jazz and other kinds of music came through friends in school.
Was it always going to be a career in music for you or could you have taken a different path – and was it the DJing or production that attracted you the most?
When I was 16 I started to make some beats and since then it kept on going, even though the stuff I did changed over the years quite a bit.
Tell us about your early productions, loads of broken beats stuff flowing out from you…
Back then I didn’t know what quantization was haha. Actually I never used quantization before I got into dancefloor orientated music. I preferred the natural feeling and swing for my drums, as well as to explore new rhythms and sounds.
What were the early clubs and DJs that you followed?
The clubs that shaped me the most in the beginning, where Watergate with its infamous Wednesday party which was called Submarine, hosted by Ron Wilson. He invited people like Brawther, Samuel Deep and Jeremy Underground at a time where they just got started to build up their reputation. Back then 90s House and Garage was pretty big. Another club that influenced me quite a lot was the old Panorama Bar, where I got to know the lovely guys from Italojohnson and was truly inspired by their remarkable extended sets.
Beste Modus hails from East Berlin and consist of yourself and friends Diego Krause, Cinthie, Ed Herbst and Albert Vogt with each of you bringing different influences to the group. How did this all kick off?
I’m friends with Eddy since we were 12 years old, because we went to school together. I met Albert and Diego a few years later due to some hip hop collaborations and other friends that introduced us. We all got to know Cinthie at a party where she was playing and we were really into her set and I asked her for a couple of IDs. She was really nice to us and so we got together more often and at some point, also went to her studio to listen to our first house productions. After that she came up with the idea to do a label together and release our stuff.
Let’s put you on the spot. Tell the readers of DMCWORLD what the biggest quality each of you brings to the Beste Modus collective…
Diego Krause
He is a very productive and musical guy and also is very good when it comes to graphic design. He created the Beste Modus graphics.
Cinthie
She had the balls to start the whole label thing and is a great networker, as well as a really reliable person.
Ed Herbst
He got the deeeeeepness like no one else of us in his tracks.
Albert Vogt
I think its rare these days to have a male house singer, so we are lucky to have one among us, who delivers perfect soulful vocals for each track.
…and yourself…!
I’m mixing every Beste Modus or Beste Freunde record before it goes to mastering, so I guess that would be my strength.
You have hosted label nights at the likes of Watergate and Prince Charles…what are the next events coming up?
I’m excited to play the closing on NYE at a new Club in Berlin called Anomalie. I’m going to share the booth with my brothers Nick Beringer, Porter, Albert Vogt and Okain. This will be a special and fun one for sure.
Tell us about the scene in your home city as we head towards 2018. What sounds are strong and where is it heading nest year?
Hmm thats hard to tell and I think it differs a lot for everyone…I would say, lets see!
What are 3 of the big tunes in your box this weekend…
Thomas Rooge – FTR
As mentioned in the earlier question, its simply a great track with lovely chords and a nice timeless afterhour vibe.
Peace Divison – Wherever The Drums Take Me
Bangin oldschool classic. The name says it all..
Djebali – Juicy Street (Mandar Remix)
Always love to play this. One of my favorite tunes.
Who are some of the producers out there you are giving high fives to right now?
There are way too many to mention, because there is so much good music out there.
Let’s skip forward 12 months. What are the main objectives you want to achieve by this time next year?
If a few of the major projects I’m working on at the moment are nicely running as expected, than I’m the happiest man on earth. Unfortunately its to early to speak about it in specific, but watch out for 2018!
And finally, what is coming out next from you studio wise?
I’m working on several projects, solo and with other likeminded artists, so I hope some EP’s gonna be ready for next year. I’m also finishing some tracks with Porter and Albert Vogt for a special band project called Camisado. Expect the unexpected!
‘Peacherine’ is out December 11th on Planetary Notions
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