For more than ten years Mr Gregor Tresher has been smashing up the Electronic circuit. His ‘Still’ EP in 2005 raised the levels as one of the biggest European Techno producer’s after releases such as ‘Neon’, ‘Full Range Madness’, ‘The Wombat’ and ‘The Now People’ on labels like Intacto, Cocoon, Great Stuff, Datapunk and Rebel One. ‘A Thousands Nights followed and the rest is Techno history…
A fabulous new album coming our way, ‘The Life Wire’ on your own Break New Soil album – following up ‘A Thousand Nights’. Can you talk us through your favourite parts of the album…
“Well, I tried to include tracks of a wider spectrum stylistically than on the last album – though it’s of course basically Techno. On ‘The Very End’ I used vocals again, something I haven’t done for quite a while. The track that I played in my DJ sets the most over the Summer is definitely ‘Awaking Life Insife’, it«s probably one of my favorite’s on the album. Also, I like the Electro/IDM influenced tracks ‘1982’ and ‘Ghosts’ a lot. ‘Escape To Amsterdam’ is another track that I have been playing out a lot the last few week’s, the title is kind of a tribute to the Netherlands, one of my favorite countries for electronic music right now.”
You site your musical influences as very much of an early 80s UK Electronic scene – what artists and songs stood out for you the most back then?
“I couldn’t pick the one best single song, but stand out album’s for me from that time were Depeche Mode’s ‘Black Celebration’ and ‘Construction Time Again’, Heaven 17«s ‘Penthouse & Pavement’ and New Order’s ‘Substance’.”
You completed a colossal 50 date album tour for ‘A Thousand Nights’ taking over the US, Canada, Brazil, Russia on the way – what were your tour highlights back then – which cities really rocked?
“Highlights were definitely Toronto, The Awakenings Festival in Holland, playing New York and Los Angeles for the first time, then of course my favorite clubs in Germany – Watergate and Berghain in Berlin, Rote Sonne in Munich and also Cocoon in Frankfurt. Also Brazil was great, playing an open air stage right on the beach in Rio de Janeiro was exciting. Had great gigs in the UK too, Fabric was great as always, I also remember that playing in Liverpool was great fun.”
How is the current tour going now, you kicked off on July 10th in Los Angeles, hit Fabric, London and Sankeys in Manchester amongst many others – how do cities in different regions react differently to your sound?
“I actually can’t point out how people in different cities or countries react differently to my sound, of course sometimes they want a bit more house or a bit more techno, but usually I just try to get an idea of the vibe and the club and build my set from there.”
What is the biggest record of 2009?
“I would say Santos`’Hold Home’ on Moon Harbour. The most perfect groove I heard in a long time. Simple, raw and pure dancefloor.”
Your home city Frankfurt is the home of German’s trance and techno scene. Sven Vath, DJ Dag, Jam and Spoon, Oliver Lieb and Hardfloor all poured out of Frankfurt – who from the dance music world from this city influenced you growing up?
“Well I used to go to the Frankfurt clubs Omen and Dorian Gray every weekend and I guess Sven Vaeth has been one of the biggest influences for me back then, as he was for many artists from the region. I also remember seeing Laurent Garnier once playing at the Dorian Gray back then as well, which was a great experience and inspiration for my DJing as well.”
Best album you are listening to at the moment?
“Right now my favorite would be the new Placebo album ‘Battle for the Sun’. I’m listening to it on repeat.”
Best club/event you have ever played at?
“For event’s I would pick any of the great festivals in Holland. Just played ‘Welcome To The Future’, which was definitely one of the highlights this year for me so far. Favorite clubs would be Berghain and Watergate Berlin, Fabric London and Fuse in Brussels.”
Your sound has been described as “a soundtrack to modern surrealism” – what are your thoughts about that description?
“You know Dan, I always find it quite hard to talk about my own sound and how to categorize it…so no thoughts!”
What was the first record you ever bought?
“Depeche Mode – ‘Construction Time Again’.”
How much is the song writing part of your own production, important to you?
“Very much, as I find it very challenging to write good melodies. It«s the most creative part of making my music.”
Beatport has begun so important to our musical lives – your track ‘A Thousand Nights’ was the biggest selling Techno track on Beatport in 2007 – do you think all music will be free for us all one day?
“I’m afraid so, which is OK on one hand, but on the other, all artists that aren’t DJs or are not doing any public performances who will not make any money any more. That’s quite a scary fact.”
If this does happen, how do you think this could affect new artists’ advancement in their careers, if companies like Beatport take over…
“I suppose artists will have to play live to be able to make a living by their music, as people will only pay for entrance fees to clubs or concerts but not for music anymore.”
And finally – what is next from your studio for us all?
“Working on some new remixes now, just finished one for 100% Pure. Also the remixes for my album by 2000 and One, Martinez, Gimikk, Daniel Stefanik will be released in October.”