The German Trance Superhero Getting Set For Global Gathering
You live in Miami. Born in Germany – why the switch?
“My mother got re-married when I was in my early teens. I have already travelled and lived in different places, I moved from Berlin when I was 13 years of age, we moved around to places like Arizona and London and eventually Miami.”
London huh? How did you enjoy living here?
“Put it this way, my record label is named after Cold Harbour Lane in Brixton where my studio was located. I really miss Brixton, it was so inspiring. The vibe, the creative energy, it was so edgy. It enabled me start making, if you like, musical chaos.”
So you are playing some great festivals this Summer, Global Gathering has made you the official 2009 Festival Resident alongside the likes of Paul Van Dyk, David Guetta, Carl Cox and Eric Prydz. What do you think is going to be your big tune over the coming months…?
“A tune coming out on my label around August time, ‘Nothing At All’ by Rex Mundy featuring Susanna. I discovered it back in December when I was doing my Radio 1 Essential Mix – it’s incredible. Every DJ you could list has either been on the phone or emailing me begging me for copies, we’re all very excited about it.”
You have had the opportunity to work with the likes of Depeche Mode, Madonna, Everything But The Girl and Fat Boy Slim – what has been the best piece of work?
“You know Dan, it is actually some work that never got released. And I know this is going to sound a little strange, but it was three tracks I made with the Back Street Boys. It opened up a whole new world to me – dealing with a major label and getting to know how that whole world works. Sure they lack the creativity that their artists have but it taught me a lot overall, dealing with management and the whole corporate record label side of things. Invaluable.”
What is the best club you have ever played in?
“Wow, so many. I’m going to have to pick three. Amnesia in Ibiza for the atmosphere, The Ministry of Sound in London where I have a residency and just love the vibe and Government in Toronto which has to be maybe the best club in the world.”
What is the best album EVER made?
“Pink Floyd’s ‘Dark Side of The Moon’ without a shadow of a doubt. If you listen to some of my work you will see how this album inspired my production and hear the connection.”
What do you hate and love about living in Miami?
“Well we live in a great spot, in between Fort Lauderdale and Miami central and only a few miles from the Ocean. What do I love? The parties. What do I hate? The hurricanes!”
What made you want to get into dance music in the first place, were you from a musical family?
“I come from a very musical family, my dad was actually a DJ back in the 60s and 70s. My brothers all have creative jobs too. I started out on this dance music world breakbeating, I was in a crew called The Amazing Crew, then put on breakbeat parties which then led me to DJing where over the years I went from house to techno and now of course trance.”
Who is the best DJ in the world?
“Again, I’m going to have to pick three again. Danny Tenaglia is a huge inspiration to me. I am sure you won’t get many trance DJs name a glorified house DJ as one of your idols but he is to me. Untouchable. Armin Van Buuren is at the top of his game at the moment and also Mauro Picotto. I have played with him quite a lot recently and always stay around after my set to watch him play, I always get blown away by him. To be honest, the above three DJs all kind of make up my sound.”
Best ever Danny Tenaglia Miami WMC party?
“The Tenaglia parties are always the best at WMC. The best though, the last ever party at Groove Jet and the first at Space. It’s amazing at Danny’s events, you are on the dancefloor and you look around and you’re dancing next to Carl Cox, Sasha, John Digweed, brilliant.”
What artist would you most like to hook up in the studio with?
DJ Aphrodite. Another Brixton influence. His basslines are off the hook. I would love to get in the studio with him, I have tried to get near to his sound but never quite managed it, the perfect grimy bass.
What city has the craziest clubbers?
Buenos Aries – The Crow Bar. Insane.
