The German legend returns with the final release of his incredible Natural Rhythm trilogy on Noir Music. DMCWORLD gets the world exclusive discovering just how he brought the series to a brilliant climax…
Words by Dan Prince
Thomas a huge welcome back to DMCWORLD! Where on planet earth are you at the moment?
I am in my studio, in Berlin.
The best new music you have heard in the last 24 hours…
Today I recorded the next episode of my NOW podcast and one of the tracks is from Victor Ruiz. The track is called Vertigo and it is yet another masterpiece from this super talented man from Sao Paulo. It’s out now on Pig & Dan’s label Elevate
A big quote from yourself back in 2012…“Berlin is different in the sense that it allows you to breath. Such an approach to life (call it artistic) is almost impossible in any other major city worldwide now. So 5 years down the line, are you as still as happy and able to be as creative as you were then?
Even more so. It is impossible to define, I just feel good in my skin here. This city is brutiful – brutal and beautiful. I feel that I can be the full spectrum of who I am here and so can everyone else.
A really exciting time for you right now with the final release of your Natural Rhythm, trilogy on Noir Music. Two tracks that we have all been waiting for, please talk us through the music, ‘Stella’ is obviously close to your heart!
Stella is named after my 11 year old daughter. It is a very emotional track with many shades of dark and light. I think we all posses these opposing qualities within us, even 11 year kids. Me too of course, as a father. On the one side I am a very sensitive, compassionate father, on the other side I can be distracted and distant, unavailable. My daughter loves me anyway, warts and all. She has taught me that its possible to love every part of myself, even the parts I wish I didn’t posses. When I created this track I used orchestral sounds from Spitfire Audio’s Albion One library. They are quite a step away from the usual sounds I work with but I love the contrast and the emotion they bring into the mix, the light they add to the dark. Persistence is in many ways the sibling of Unconfused, the A-Side of Natural Rhythm II. Again I lost myself in this miraculous world in between, where soundtrack like tones and noises meet dark and powerful Techno music.
You admit your daughter loves techno, she has always been close to your music. Does this mean she may be following in your musical footsteps?
Maybe. She plays guitar and piano and sings, like her mum. She is actually doing an Electronic Music Production workshop this weekend with a fellow DJ and producer who also lives with his family in Berlin. Stella has been listening to Techno production since before she was born – she has the beats in her bones.
What are the big 3 tunes in your box this weekend…
Depeche Mode – Everything Counts (Schumacher & Ruiz Remix) | Promo
Victor and I did this tribute remix right before we went to see the band playing here in Berlin this summer. We are both fans, I even used to collect their records. DM was the first band I listened to that only used electronic instruments. I would probably not do what I do without their influence. Once finished we send our remix to Adam (Beyer). He loved it from the get go and dropped it in his Awakenings closing set. Since then not a week has passed by without people asking if our remix will ever be released.
Keith Carnal – Lucy | Arts
Keith belongs to my top 3 producer discoveries of 2017. His development has been spectacular, I love his production style, his tracks sit right in the middle between peak time and early morning melodic Techno. As far as the label Arts goes, it is hands down my favourite label of 2017. I played almost every release this year and Emmanuel must be a genius.
3 Phase feat. Dr. Motte – Der Klang der Familie (T. Schumacher Edit) | Promo
One of my all time Techno favourites. It was originally released in 1991 on Berlin’s Tresor Records and shortly afterwards licensed by Derrick May for Transmat.
The track has original Techno DNA and it sounds so relevant again and fits perfectly well in my DJ sets. I did some minor tweaking, added a new kick and re-arranged it.
Looking back at 2017, what are you most proudest of achieving?
No booze for this DJ in 2017, very proud of this achievement and the change up.
What was the last GREAT…
Film you saw
Suburbicon
Club that rocked your world
Sisyphos; Berlin
New album you enjoyed
TSOB – The Sound Of Belgium Vol. 1 | Compilation
Another interesting thing you said a few years ago was when you were discussing some of the new DJs making their mark on the scene. “The younger the DJs are, the more predictable they play including some of the very famous ones: probably because of the large amounts of money they get paid. They feel responsible and deliver what’s expected.” Have things changed since you made this comment, are there any DJs/producers out there taking risks and standing out from the crowd?
I am not very happy about this comment in hindsight. I have learned a lot about myself in the last couple of years. Instead of being overly critical I focus on the positive side of things. Talking about new DJ’s making their mark on the scene, I had the pleasure of spinning with German DJ A.D.H.S this year and he is a force to be reckoned with.
Some of the summer DJing highlights…?
I have fond memories of playing at the Eclipse Festival in Canada this Summer. Smack bang in the middle of the most beautiful Canadian country side, nestled between mountains and little rivers this was a lovely surprise for me, both in terms of the crowd and vibes. It reminded me of my favourite Festival, Fusion in Germany. Both festivals have this alternative, hippi “esque” vibe and the promoters care about the environment, which I appreciate a lot.
What is coming out next from you studio wise?
I am working on my next EP which will be released on Electric Ballroom in February 2018. I am toying around with the idea of releasing an album next year, I haven’t decided yet. There will definitely be releases on Noir as well as at least two other labels but I can’t say more at this point. What I can say is that I am fired up when I think about 2018 and the music that will be coming from this studio, the music I will be playing in my DJ sets and in my weekly Podcast NOW.
And finally, Christmas is around the corner. What would you like Santa to bring you this year?
Peace on earth. The cessation of factory farming of animals. Seriously. 68% of the food grown on this planet goes to feeding animals that will be used or slaughtered for food. If everyone stopped eating animal products tomorrow, we would end world hunger.
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