Just jamming with Marcus Fix (Cocoon)

Evenin'
So, before the BIG DAY tomorrow, we though it's worth doing one last check of our sabotaging personnel...just to be prepared, sort of speak. We grabbed our guest Marcus Fix for one of our informal 101s where we discuss all or nothing about his music, his studio muse, his desire to keep music as unlabeled as possible and of course his becoming one of Cocoon's knights flying the label's colours all over the world. London, tomorrow night is our turn!
Without further adue, meet Marcus Fix

[code] Hi there Marcus! How are you and where does our inescapable interview find you?
Marcus Fix: Good Morning, I am fine. Your interview just caught me in a pile of cables in my studio :)

[code] How are you settling into 2012? Any fond memories of 2011 (memorable gigs, music, moments)?

Marcus Fix: The end of 2011 is when I've started building my studio and as for 2012: in the last couple of weeks I’ve been working on my first Live act. In hindsight the year has started with a lot of work but I am very proud to see my studio growing up and also launching my first Live act in the Cocoonclub Lounge in Frankfurt to a complete success!
My absolute highlight in 2011 was without a doubt my gig at Creamfields in Lima, Perú.

Just the best organized party I ever played! an amazing stage, incredible soundsystem and absolutely nice people who “Dance like Hell” :) I will never forget this!

[code] Coolio, let's get things started properly then shall we.
Marcus, allow us to introduce you to our extended family and friends. (You know family is very important :)Tell us a couple of things about you. Your musical lineage, your musical beliefs and what do you do for a living?
Marcus Fix: Let´s talk about family, yes! As you’ve said it so well the family is really important, so we are all very close and help each other every time. The “extended family” are friends like Reboot, Sascha Dive, Robert Dietz, Chris Tietjen, Federico Molinari, Dorian Paic and many other djs from Frankfurt are close friends…everyone is in contact, sharing music, having dinner together, doing afterparties together…

[code] Sounds like a pretty party oriented family :))
Tell us what is music for you?
Marcus Fix: Music...is like “fish & chips”….no,no, no! :)
Music is always, everywhere. Like if you go out you listen to music, to a car, to a bird, or to people talking maybe; everything gives you a impression of something, and that’s music for me. That’s what music does for me.

[code] What/who makes you want to get up in the morning and write music?
Marcus Fix: All the buttons and knobs on my hardware, they make me horny everyday ;))

"Is it just me or is it getting hot in here?"


[code] What is the music that Marcus Fix makes? Your preference in style, themes, song and flow.
Marcus Fix: Describe my style….hmmmm...That’s not really possible for me to say.
Some people say that a style of “claps” I use is “my style” but I honestly don’t know.

Latest tracks by Markus Fix

When I sit in my studio I have no idea on what I want to make or even how I want to make it.
I love to just jam – then record the line I like and then the pieces of puzzle start falling into place. So it can be a real trippy track, a harmonic one or a pumping house tune.
I have no rules for producing music.

[code] How do these preferences fit into your dj sets? What’s more important when playing live: presenting the sound you love or hitting the spot with the crowd you have in front of your Dj booth? How do you find the balance?
Marcus Fix: It really depends on the party you are playing. Sometimes the public is really open minded, sometimes they are not. I always try to feel out the audience and see how they react. But I do love to present them some of the music I really like and I try to do it more and more often.

[code] Having released music on some of the finest labels in both underground terms and worldwide influence, how has your evolution to this point been?
Marcus Fix: Most of the time, an artist becomes the center of attention through his releases. But the battles he has fought and the learning experiences he’s had to get to that point, are most times overlooked. It’s really difficult.
When you have your first good release, everyone expects your next one to be like the first one, at least similar or in the same style. And for me – this is not possible! I don’t see music as a calculation where you can take parts of the first track and then calculate on which elements you take for your next one or even just modify some and use them again.
The best tracks are done in 4-6 hours and made without thinking too much about “I need a break here, a noise there” and etc. Of course labels want to sell records, I completely understand that…but sometimes I do miss music from the heart - which is not made necessarily straight for the dance floor.


7. What was the moment that transformed Djing from a hobby into an actual daily occupation?
Marcus Fix: I think it´s now 3 years ago……before I was already playing in Germany a lot, but after my first release on Cecille, the hobby became an occupation. And it was the best choice of my life, no doubt!
[code] How would you describe your connection to Cecille?
Marcus Fix: Nick Curly is such a fun guy, and I am a very close friend of Marc Scholl, he lives only 5 minutes from my house. So my connection to Cecille is more of a friendship. I have to be very thankful to these guys, there really believed in me.

[code] What about Cocoon?
Marcus Fix: As far as music goes - I grew up in Frankfurt, my first Club was the Omen in Frankfurt where Sven Väth had his residency at the time. And I was actually at the first Cocoon-party in a small Location where “Earth Nation” was performing their Live Set. After that, Cocoon did a lot of parties in Frankfurt, which I, of course, attended :)
My first time in Ibiza I lived in the house of a girl who was working for Cocoon at the time and she introduced me to the “Cocoon lifestyle” From that point on it was my dream to become a DJ for Cocoon and for the past 2 years I am really proud to be a part of it.
It is without exaggeration a dream come true!

[code] We are very happy and honored to have you headlining our event “Sabotage” tomorrow night alongside our best Codekontrol family members (residents).

We have put our all to make this event something special, with special music and special people. Looking at the huge response we’ve had from our crowd, it certainly looks like it’s going to be special! When was the last time you played in London and how do you feel about crossing the Atlantic to our shores?
Marcus Fix: My last time playing in London was at Fuse, in Brick Lane and I really love to be in London!!! The crowd is really outthere here in London and I'm sure we can rock all night :)

[code] :)
So to wrap things up. What’s in store for 2012 for Marcus Fix? (hype us please)
Marcus Fix: I have some new releases in the pipeline and I've told you I've just played my first Live set at Cocoon club last Saturday.
I am really looking forward to what's coming this year and of course to our party in London tomorroooow!!! ;)

" 2012? My solution is..." Codekontrol's 101 with Marco Donato from Italoboyz

Feels a little strange posting this quite a little aaaaaafter the night has happened, but nevertheless, this is the way interviews need to be posted: full page and on a proper blog, not on a whimsy Facebook note
The boyz were back in town headlining our second Gasp!!! event which took place @ XOYO, couple of weeks back. Alongside the lovely Italoboyz, we had Codekontrol residents Johnny Fiore, Gabriel amaru and from the infamous East London Bread & Butter family, Max & Jamma. Upstairs room was hosted by Unwanted Family with Mr Venom, Thomas James, Chris Gee and Franklin.
The party was awesome, with such a good and laidback vibe. Nothing and no one else made it so than all of you shaking those boots there on the floor.

Check yourseves out in the pics: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.356314021059040.89146.167201049970339&type=1

So, try and get your brain back into time and read this with a pair of fresh eyes ;)

Aaaand here we are peeps, 2012, January 21st. Codekontrol’s BIG Weekend is now on! You’ve been asking for it so now it’s time to gasp for air and face the music, 2011 is gone, finito, done. 2012 is here to stay! End of the world possibility included.
So no time to waste: firmly grab that Vodka bottle, couple of Red Bulls, fistful of limes, click play and enjoy the show. That’s what some good people have been doing for years and it seems to work quite well for them.

Italoboyz @ B&B London - 29.8.2011 by italoboyz

Marco Donato and Federico Marton, quite well known and loved around London town as Italoboyz are living proof that a positive attitude and a never ending love for music making might just help all you need to navigate through the crazy mess we call society today.

Settled in the maddest of them all, London, a decade ago, Marco and Federico embraced the city with all their being and never looked back with sentimentalism to the “mandolin and pizza country” as they affectinately call native Italy. In return the city embraced them back…with love.

Now with a good ten years spent at the very heart of London’s underground house scene Marco and Donato seem to know very well what they’re after and are willing to use every inch of their creative selves to get it. Ahead of tonight’s Gasp!!! @ XOYO, we take a minute or two with Marco from Italoboyz and skillfully navigate through their story.

[code]: Hi there Marco, hi there Federico, the pair of “wacky” Italo jackmasters, affectionately known as Italoboyz! How are you and where does this interview find you?
Marco: Hello guys (Marco here)! I’m at my new home in east London, just moved here after Christmas, so still a bit unsettled, lots to do, lots to plan, slowly re-building my studio but listening to nice beats ;)

[code]: Aaaah, moving home, what else can beat that?!? We hope the transition is now in its final stages and you can get back to the music. How/where did you spend the Christmas and NYE?
Marco: At home at my sister’s place with my family, then Berlin, then Italy again for New Years Eve, then back here. The overall Christmas time was super!

[code]: And now…how is it being back? Back to work; or not quite there yet? The hangovers getting better?
Marco: As I said, more than the hangover, which we have learned how to master properly (:), it’s more about planning, and settling down and all those things…My studio is still down, first time in years that I am in this situation, it feels a little unusual, but it’s ok….

Now where on Earth did I put those wiring schematics?

[code]: Cool, so let’s start the questions with a popular one: For someone who’s just heard of Italoboyz, how can we define it? Everything that Italoboyz stands for!
Marco: To be honest, it’s a name that we have been given here in London in 2003 when we (me and Federico) started djing together by this promoter who booked us for our first London dj gig at 333 in Old street. Not far from XOYO actually! And it was so epic, that we decided to keep the name…. Is that bad, doctor…? ;-)

[code]: Surely not bad Marco, quite good actually :) Your connection to London is quite special and well documented in the previous interviews you’ve given, but how is the relationship going? Is London still THE place you want to be in day in day out? Does it still get your creative juices flowing?
Marco: Yes for sure! Personally, I have been very tempted a couple of times to change and move to Berlin, but somehow I felt that I still have a lot to give and a lot to get here, in London; and I still feel that.

[code]: Please remind us: How long have you guys been around London?
Marco: 10 years darling, exactly 10 years; and for me another 5 years plan just started!

[code]: So, tell us a few things on how was 2011 for Italoboyz? All the highlights, all the best moments of the year. And please give us a few favorite couple of (2011) tunes you’ll forever be in love with?
Marco: Lots of great moments for sure…! maybe Mexico and Peru for me were very special; that’s because I took the chance to have a little vacation too, something that now I sooo much would love to have again!
Musicwise… hmmm… we are always researching music without bothering much of the release date, so it’s a bit difficult right now to answer precisely to this question… But without a doubt, you’ll hear what I’m talking about Saturday at XOYO ;-)

[code]: Now that we’ve put our finger on the “music” 12 inch, let’s get that needle on the groove, shall we? Listening to any piece from your discography, your preference for taking obscure pieces of the past (sound, voices, film dialogs) and twist them into something new, if not futuristic, is a mainstay theme. Why so?
Marco: I guess because this is how we like to approach music; starting from an idea, a main theme, and building the track around it. Also, we really like weird elements, especially voice; You can expect to hear lots more coming up very soon in our music….

[code]: Do you feel that what this past has in terms of music, and everything else is maybe, a different story to tell than what we have today in our collective culture? Maybe more romance…? Are you consciously looking for such stories?
Marco: I do think that a little while ago making music was much more complicated and releasing music was something that only people with a strong passion were doing, having a precise idea of what they were looking for. Nowadays, everyone can make some beats, and releasing music is almost immediate… So this has either good sides or bad side, depending on where you stand as an artist…
One of the bad sides I see is that music sometimes is made just for promotion, just because you have to be present on the market, and not because you really want to present something that represents you…
[code]: We hear that Marco; Nowadays, if you don’t also produce, than probably you don’t really have a future just mixing other people’s tracks. So yeah, I guess there is a lot of what you just said around at the moment.

[code]: Tell us something about what you guys are working on and who are we likely to hear on vocal duties on the next track/EP?
Marco: We are working on the very first release of our upcoming own label… And guess what? A super nice and trippy vocal will be in it ;-)

[code]: Italoboyz own label, yes, hype us! Pleeeeease! And also other plans for 2012?
Marco: Well, yeah, we are gonna be mainly focused on our own project on this new thing, our label…Something you all guys will hear about very soon! The name is Superfiction…. as well as keep working with other labels for some releases, remixes…

And finally
[code]: We’re still in the very first days of the year, but we’re very curious what’s your attitude to the impending doom being predicted?
Marco: !!!…do you mean financially!? …ummmm… I dunno… but it seems scary.
My solution: let’s make music, and hope for the best ;-)
[code]: Probably the only solution worth considering.

Big love xx

101 with Ramon Tapia: being "El Carlitto"...

Ahead of his highly anticipated performance at tonight's Episode III of Technicolour at EGG club London, we caught up with one of the most loved and appreciated new talents of excellent house music. With new mixes and remixes appearing constantly on his Soundcloud page and already with a Strictly Rhythms Compilation under his belt, Ramon Tapia is on fire!

Get some sun screen then, sit tight, hit the play button and enjoy Codekontrol's 11 questions on "being El Carlitto"
Latest tracks by Ramon Tapia

[code]: Hi there Ramon, and welcome back to sunny London tonight as we roll film and music for Episode III of Technicolour: London’s Cinematographic House Music Experience! How are you and where does this interview find you?

Ramon Tapia: I'm doing great, hanging out on my sofa now after a long weekender; and also had a long long day at the airport :)

[code]: How has summer 2011 been for you and where have you spent it mostly?

Ramon Tapia: I've been touring in Mexico, Brazil and many festivals all over Europe so it has been quite amazing. Wish i'd also had some vacation :P

[code]: :) How has your release schedule been throughout the year since your landmark release for “Strictly Rhythm” last December?


Ramon Tapia: Yes, the Strictly Rhythm release was huge for me with a lot of worldwide exposure;




afterwards I wanted to keep it a bit easy on releasing so i did just a couple of originals and remixes on labels like 100 % Pure, Remote Area, Soma, Snatch and so on …Dj wise its been hectic flying from one side of the globe to the other…but yeah...I'm definitely not complaining :D

[code]: For the readers of our little journal not yet familiar with the Ramon Tapia discography, please give us five of the most seminal RT releases throughout the years. (I know this is not going to be an easy ask :)

Ramon Tapia: hahaha your right! defo' not easy :) But lets try...

1. Strictly Rhythm compilation Vol 6

2. Ramon Tapia -Combustian -100 % Pure

3. Ramon Tapia - Back To the Bush -- Monique Musique

4. Silicon Soul --Right on ( Ramon Tapia remix ) -Soma

5. Ramon Tapia ft Neka --Tanzgefuhl - Gsr

[code]: Speaking of productions, we’ve been checking your Soundcloud page quite frequently (...daily :) for the past couple of weeks and there's always great new music showing up on there! Listening to the stuff you were doing two three years ago on Herzblut or Flash Records it is also different. What is the sonic direction you find yourself getting your groove on from these days? Also tell us more about the process of Ramon Tapia the artist getting to the “today point”

Ramon Tapia: thanks for the good words guys :)
Well these days music is evolving so fast, I try to keep my sound but evolve together with the times…which is not easy… in the beginning when I started making music there was a lot of the minimal sound around which I also did. Then, on my first album on Great Stuff i tried to go wide in the spectrum, from house to minimal to techno!

And actually, today, I still stand for that…there are so many cool things to do with music that it would be simply stupid for me to get stuck in one thing. Don't get me wrong, I think if other people prefer doing so, it is their right to do so, for me, I just love making music in all of its glory!

My main influences come from everywhere and i try to work that in most of the records i do :)

[code]: We read in your biog you’ve been living in Belgium for quite a bit of time and that this is the place where Ramon Tapia the dj first made his appearance. But was actually Belgium the first place where your love for music found the right environment to blossom and to change your life for ever? Or have you always been musical, even before Belgium?

Ramon Tapia: Well...I have indeed started djing in Belgium and before that when I was still living with my parents I would be mostly playing around with my sisters' record player ( and broke it eventually :) or be and playing cassettes that my sisters were coming back with from their trips to the electronic music clubs in Belgium and Holland... .

[code]: Surely your crush on gabba and other more exotic such sounds must’ve come from that scene. Tell us more about the time and space when this happened. Do you ever feel any “heartaches” for those days? Did you ever let such sounds (unconsciously maybe) into the music you’re making now?
(errrmm..new Ramon Tapia live show?!? Don't thinks so :)

Ramon Tapia: Hmmm, well in those days it was all about that kind of music, which I followed like a sheep :)). I surely don't regret any of it, I did it as part of my exploration of new things and new sounds in every sense of the word…that it simply was my time to explore these extremes. We were all a bunch of kids going to big raves to watch the big hardcore dj's and tried to be like them …wearing expensive trainers, etc. etc. I think in that it was maybe in that time when I first got the feeling to want to be a dj. Now going to the question of if I use those sounds nowadays …I think i don't...but maybe others say i do :)

[code]: For the past couple of months, if not years even, house music and techno to some extent have slowly but surely morphed into a more organic, jazzy, (heavily) Latinised sound. Many new producers have got their lucky break by combining such grooves with the 4/4 beat.
Ramon, you are by definition a Latin spirit, do you feel that this heritage has had an important influence in shaping your sound today? How do you make the most of it as part of your sonic palette?

Ramon Tapia: It really has!!!
I do love funked up beats, not neccesairly latin, but definitely FUNKY; but yet other styles influence me too. I try to bring a bit of everything into my musical spectrum, hoping that the fans follow me in these "new territories". As far as I'm aware they do!!!

[code]: Coolio, so tell us more of what’s in store for the remaining of the year from the Ramon Tapia production house

Ramon Tapia: Well, let's see...here we go:
I've just released a fresh new record with my good friend Sandy Huner on Remote Area and will do a solo record later this year on the same label …I'm releasing a record on the label i'm doing with Hermanez, Aella Music in Oktober, I'm also starting my very own record label which will feature for the first few releases mostly own productions (name to be announced soon), I'm also expected to do a release on Skint Records and... much much more!

[code]: Tonight's London colourful event which you and Alex Bau of CLR are headlining (in different rooms), TECHNICOLOUR Episode III promises a surreal house music experience of sound and cinematography.
Give us a hint on what will your chosen sound be for the event.

Ramon Tapia: From funky to techy sounds in the widest sense of the word. That is Ramon Tapia!

And finally

[code]: What is the future for gabba?

Ramon Tapia: :))
Gabba is still there ...but it fused more into hardstyle… it'ss like a mixture of hardcore beats with truancy synth leads …. But, you know... for me they simply don't make the Gabba records like they used to :P

[code]: Thanks Ramon, looking very forward to your set tonight at TECHNICOLOUR Episode III It's probably the right time for you to hit the airport. We wouldn't want you to miss your plane by any chance :D


Catch Ramon Tapia headlining the BASEMENT STAGE at tonight's
Technicolour Episode III event at EGG, London

Also, keep touch with Ramon Tapia’s very busy release and gigging schedule through:

Facebook
Beatport
Resident Advisor
Soundcloud

101 with Alex Bau. A heart to heart talk with a 100% techno legend!

There are really few artists like this guy: "techno" flowing through every vein of his body. He has actually lived through much of the growth and development process of German techno. Believe his every word, Alex Bau knows music history. Enjoy!

[code]: Hi there Alex, it is a great pleasure to have you over again in sunny London as we roll film and music for Episode III of Technicolour on 30th September at EGG. Although it is over a year since your totally blasting set at the Ready Made party, it strangely feels like it was yesterday!


Time flies it seems...but just to get things right from the start:
There hasn’t been one day we haven’t missed you! :)

How are you these days Alex and where does this interview find you?

Alex Bau: I am quite ok, just returned from a three gig weekend in Italy which was just great. Actually Thursday was Munich, but during „Oktoberfest“ there are so many Italians, it feels almost like being in Italy :) Rome and Naples were great too.

[code]: Italians are to be found everywhere where music and fun occurs :))




















Oke, give us a status update on the “Alex Bau 2011 situation”: new releases, memorable gigs, forgettable nights = the whole deal please! How has the year been for you and where have you spent it mostly?

Alex Bau: The year has been great so far, unfortunately not too many releases this year which is related to the fact that I was moving house, intense touring and also some technical issues computerwise. I also had to finish a row of remixes for many people, so I ended up with only two „own“ releases on DMOM and UK`s Sleaze Recordings, but both have been received very well and are sure shots in my sets always!
And of course I „helped“ Wayne Sidorsky on his debut 12“ „Abgesang auf Minimal“, which also was accompanied by a nice video, telling the story of the lyrics even without speaking german :-)



Gigwise the whole summer was kind of washed away by the rain, at least the Open Air`s, but luckily 9 out ot 10 gigs were just supergreat!

[code]: Nice little Wayne Sidorsky video :))
Looking at the many many places you’ve travelled around the world only this year, you must’ve seen and heard many new things about techno. What’s the health state of the techno scene around the world right now?

Alex Bau: I think that Techno hasn`t been that vital for years! The last years have been dominated by only minimal and techhouse mainly, it was hard to play solid and even good techno simply because people were afraid of using the word, but after starting in 2010 I think techno is much more accepted again by a broad audience.

[code]: That is very good news! Are there certain countries that impressed you a lot and how? Does that compare to the scene in Germany right now? Or maybe Germany in its young techno days?

Alex Bau: It`s funny that techno seems to be a kind of universal language somehow. Wherever I am booked to play, people there seem to understand 'from the go' what they can expect musicwise, and this results in a super positive vibe, the only difference is that that size of this „microcosm“ is different from country to country. Generally speaking, the acceptance for underground electronic dance music in Europe is much higher as elsewhere, but it does exist everywhere on this planet.

[code]: Speaking of Germany, recently we’ve had a chat with some good friends from the east Side of town (Ostfunk) about Berlin, funk and even Sven Vath’s eyeliner (:). Many artists are hearing the “Berlin Calling” and run to respond to it. What’s the vibe there? Is it really that good as we’re hearing?

Alex Bau: I can not say too much about it as I did not see the movie and I am not really into the latest productions of Paul Kalkbrenner. I loved his very old tracks, back then on Bpitch Control, which were real, proper techno. It appeared to me as he was the only real technoartist in Bpitch at the time. Well, he has changed an developped, and if this is what he feels right now it`s all good, but not my cup of tea.

[code]: In your opinion, what is the new sound of German techno and whose productions capture that feeling best right now?

Alex Bau: When it comes to german techno everybody speaks about the guys from Berlin and Berghain who have a big influence on the technocircuit of course. And indeed they do; a lot of groundbreaking stuff, but they are only one part of the thing I call „Techno“ and I think that they are part of a cycle as very much from their sound is based on the the vibe that Basic Channel created back in the beginning of the 90ies. Generally I don`t think in national categories, I am fine with every good track, no matter if it comes from Germany, UK or The Fidji Islands. As long as there is enough bass and a present kick, I am starting to get interested.

[code]: Techno from Fidji...hmmm, interesting :)
Without being too indiscreet Alex, could you give us your top five heaviest tunes right now?
The ones that you know when you’ll play the whole place will simply explode!







Alex Bau: That`s a hard question, because it changes every night! Sometimes it`s one track, sometimes another...Luckily I find my own productions leaving the crowd really going wild and happy, especially the new stuff which is not out yet like one remix for the label „Cabaret Groove“ or another tune I did by including some samples from a big 80ies hit and my track „Bullet in the heart“ from 2007.

[code]: Speaking of productions, you’ve been flying the techno flag high and mighty for some time now. You are greatly regarded as a global techno ambassador and innovator. What is the sonic direction you find yourself taking these days? Also tell us more about the process of you getting to the “today point”.

Alex Bau: As many people call my sound „dark and powerful as well as full of bass“ I think there is maybe a connection to my musical education which includes also New Wave and Electronic Pop back from the 80ies and 90ies. I loved and still love the sound of acts like Depeche Mode, Anne Clarke, Front 242, Tears for Fears, Joy Division or also the Cure and many more of this age. This, combined with my affection for the sound of Basic Channel, which I just mentioned, but at the same time, the quite melodic Eye Q and more club orientated Harthouse label from Sven Vath in the early 90ies are probably my main influences.

These days I find myself experiencing more and more, trying to bring back some „colour“ into my productions, which means I'm also using synths and sounds again more intensively compared to the past years time in which I focussed a lot on treating samples and noises or drum and grooveelements.

[code]: Do you still feel there is a place for the minimal sound of techno? Or that has simply been killed for now?

Alex Bau: Of course there is, as long as it is good! I think people simply got sick of 100 copies of „Minus“ or „Richie Hawtin“ or another „Ricardo“.
I mean, they are the forefront, heads of their very own style, and many artists forgot to try to think about what they really want to say with their music. They choosed the easy way and just did what was hip.
Now many turn to techno again, and I think it`s ok, because the crowd, the audience are not so stupid as some artists think. They exactly realize if the Dj they're listen to is authentic or not. But minimal is only one attribute of Techno in general. Remember tracks like „Quo Vadis“ from G-Man or music from Daniel Bell back in the early 90ies. Minimal was not new this time around...just badly copied without some very few exceptions. I would even call some of my productions „minimal“, for example one my most well known tracks on CLR „Summer in Moncton“ has less than 10 elements and was done within 3 hours! 1 bassdrum, 1 kickdrum, 1 clap, 1, snare, some hihats, as bassline and the bleep, that`s IT! Isn`t this minimal too?
Yes, it is, but does it sound minimal? No!

[code]: Tell us more of what’s in store for the remaining of the year from the Alex Bau production house

Alex Bau: As I already mentioned there will be some remixes coming out until end of the year which I promised and which I have to finish before starting new own tracks.
I am in talks with a well known techno label for a new release, but probably only by next year, we are in September already... however, what`s for sure, in November the „Wasabi Tunes – live in Buenos Aires“ DVD will be released which is not a normal boring livecut of a set I played; but more something like a documentation about my trip there. Very authentic as I filmed a lot on my own, but very interesting at the same time as it shows what`s all related to the job and the 90% of the time you're on travel and you don`t spend on making music.
Check it out, it's quite entertaining :D

And finally

[code]: Can techno music ever go mainstream?

Alex Bau: If it`s mainstream, it has nothing to do with real techno :-)

Thanks Alex. It's been great having you on the interview chair for our 11 bullets! Looking forward to your set at TECHNICOLOUR EPISODE III
Keep touch with Alex Bau’s very busy release and gigging schedule through:

Facebook
Beatport
Resident Advisor
CLR page



















Alex’s latest release is out now on Sleaze Recordings exclusivelly through Beatport http://www.beatport.com/release/sibling-rivalry-ep/674165

A summer night's dream: 101 with Anthony Costans aka Tonybar

Nothing like a couple of hours of (cold and windy) September sun to put you straight into "melancholy mode". Wouldn't we do anything for one more month...scratch that, one more week of summer...Well, we did bring a bit of summer back here at Codekontrol HQs. In sound at least. We sat down with the one man who simply defined the summer 2011 sound for us and got the full lowdown in 11 questions. Ladies and gentlemen...Tonybar!

Tonybar @ ThekeyRadio 8/06/11 by Tonybar

Following a good couple of excellent releases on Picknik, Release Sustain and own label Unomi Records, the name Tonybar is now one that resonates of an original “funk and grind” house, if there ever was such a thing.

Tony’s productions would very well fit somewhere in between an 80’s Chicago warehouse sound and a deep techy Café 1001 groove of our days. His sound speaks to the body in a language that everyone can understand and yet keeps a certain mystery, atmosphere or as the French would call it a certain “je ne-sais quoi”.

The reason we brought the French into discussion is not to talk of their cuisine or their important role in developing disco, but because for Tonybar, France is also the place that changed everything, that turned his life around onto the right path: the music path."

[code]: Hi Tony or Tonybar as “daddy” Beatport calls you. So which one is the right one?

Tony: You can call me Tony... i turn into Tonybar behind my laptop but both are correct :)

[code]: But is Tony Bar your real name? And if not how did it come about? (typing Tony Bar in Google, it gives “Tony Blair” as a possible search suggestion :))

Tony: The first time I heard this name it was in my house in France , some friends were touched by the place when they first came to visit me, it reminded them of the BAR 25 in Berlin ...so few drinks later they called the place “the Tony Bar”
About ''Tony Blair'', no resemblances should be taken there :D

errrmm, Naaaah!

[code]: Yeah, Google is weird sometimes...We’ve read on your Myspace biog that Montpellier (France) has a special meaning for you, and also that now you are living and creating music in Berlin. How did the switch happen? And do you miss Montpellier in any measure?

Tony: Montpellier has a very important place in my story. I lived a dozen years there and musically there, in Montpellier is where it all began, with my homies. I still have a lot of my friends there today, friends that I considere like my family.

Now I am based in Berlin. The move for Berlin was an idea of my friend Mikolai, who, quite quickly, convinced me to follow him there. Things then chained together and one thing leading to the next, in our circle of friends some have rallied to the cause and some months after...we were there: Five music makers living together, studios in every room, parties, after parties!! Creativity floating in the air we breathe!

[code]: How do you find Berlin as a place to live? To create? How is the scene there?

Tony: Berlin is the perfect city to live. It is rare to feel this feeling like I do here, in Berlin; an overwhelming feeling of being at peace. People are so respectful of each other just by being open and ready to help others. I sometimes feel that this kind of sentiment has greatly disappeared in France, for example...
Creating in such an environment like Berlin is also “perfect”, because at the end of the day what you feel often resonates in your work so it’s all connected. And of course it’s really awesome to have this massive scene just outside your apartment from where you take influences and inspiration. That's pretty unique.

[code]: I know this will be a controversial observation, but I think we all agree that French dance music has repeatedly influenced dance music worldwide. Be it through Cerrone’s and Moroder’s disco or Ettienne de Crecy’s acid grooves, Cassius’ house or the Daft Punks and Ed Banger Crew of our days, the sound of dance music seems to be deeply imprinted into the French DNA. Do you feel that your French heritage has had such an important influence on shaping your sound today? Do you enjoy having this influence as part of your sonic palette?

Tony: It's hard to include everyone but some of the French artists have inspired me consciously or not. But I feel in my case it's more the old discs soul of my parents and those funk and hip hop of my sisters that I grew up musically with...

[code]: Now that we’ve reached the “inspirational sources” chapter, who are the first three names that always spring into your mind when searching for new beats?

Tony: I really love Subb-An and Adam Shelton; I find them extremely innovative in their many projects. I’m as well currently attacked by the virus named John Tejada!!!

[code]: Now with the summer fever definitely gone (at least here in London that is the case :), what five tunes had been making the Tonybar playlist in the hot season?

Tony:

Mikolai -She's Mine (Picknik)
Sierra Sam & Marcus Vector - Anyone feat Jonny Cruz original mix (Toys For Boys)
Dora - Who's Pimping Who (Remake music)
Anthony Constans- Restons En La (Serialism)
Snoop Dogg Feat. Wiz Khalifa - This Weed Iz Mine (Priority Records)

[code]: Now that we just hit that weak nostalgic chord mentioning the word “summer”, we've seen that your schedule was very busy all along, with plenty of gigging to go around for everyone living in either Berlin or Montpellier. I know I don’t only speak for myself when I say that we’d really love having you on our side of the channel for a couple of gigs! How well are you accustomed to the London scene?

Tony: Some gigs are planned for the coming months, so keep an eye out! You’ll see me more months this year... And as you guys know lots of my friends are based there: Release Sustain, Picknik, the Familly Serialism, and my Cable Street guyz as well... I’ll want to see them more!

[code]: You’ve played alongside some very original names on the house and techno scene, who’s been your favourite up until now and why?

Tony: If I’d have to pick one, I would say James Taylor. I’ve listened to Swayzak’s “Dirty Dancing” album maybe one million times!!! And it was amazing to me to be at his side during one of my first performances.

[code]: Your latest release on Picknik, “Reve du Cuir” for us is just a pure expression of the summer just gone: a laidback, funky and immersive sound. Tell us more about it please...

Tony: “Reve de Cuir” is actually its my first artist EP. It’s made up of a couple of tracks: Da Switch, Funky Chronicles with two remixes from Delhom & Charly and Canary
I wrote “Da Switch” after a short stay in London and after what I believed I knew it would react well with the crowd there. So, now you telling me this is quite funny...:) Funky Chronicles came a little later and I really liked the association of these two tracks...they have little touch of madness.

Tonybar - Funky chronicles by picknik

Tonybar - Da switch by picknik

Da switch (Canary Fontaine remix) by picknik

Da switch (Charly Delhom Da Other Switch remix) by picknik

[code]: Thank you very much sir Tony :)

Keep touch with Tony’s music and gig schedule through:
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/tony.bar
Soundcloud http://soundcloud.com/tonybar
Myspace http://myspace.com/tonybarunomi

Tonybar’s latest release “Reve du Cuir” is out now on Picknik Records exclusively on Beatport: http://www.beatport.com/release/reve-de-cuir/378136

"Techno is dead, Long live Techno!" 101 with Alpha Channel

Where is the funk these days in techno?
Whatever happened to the sound revolution and vision of its Detroit fathers and apostles? Well, hard to say with certainity, everybody's "killing" or "saving" techno these days, sometimes in a space of less than a few days

"Techno is dead, Long live Techno!"

"But this is media" you might say, "it has to make and brake its subjects so that it keeps the ball rolling". Hear hear thy techno brother! hear hear!

Just that these days the ball feels sometimes like it may roll a bit too fast and somewhat out of control; looking around it seems like we're adjusting more and more to a Tofler's Future Shock society, where people do quite strange things when faced with extreme (and rapid) change.

Whatever Atkins and co. heard in the early days of the Detroit sound, today is just as potent, if not even more so

Well the best way to find out such sacred stuff is to go in the middle of it and start asking questions: 11 to be exact. We carefully planted our hi-end sound recorder switched on in a middle of a techno field and did our best to capture some discernible sound.

We received a loud and clear signal from our Alpha Channel. Freshly out with a new EP on Solid Tracks and prepping his funk loaded heavy minimal artillery ahead of this month’s Technicolour Episode III gig alongside CLR's very own techno rebel Alex Bau, Alpha Channel's signal is getting more and more frequencies added to the spectrum. This is what we managed to record:

Alpha Channel - Minimal Effort - minimal techno mix by Alpha-Channel

[code]: Hi Alpha, how are you these days and where does this interview find you?

Alpha Channel: Currently stuffing my face with pizza after a rare day of relaxing, I ‘m really good right now :)

[code]: How has 2011 been for Alpha Channel? From start to right now.

Alpha Channel: Tons of stuff has happened this year, thinking back to where this year began with the massive NYE event in Romania seems more like 2 years ago! Well, let’s see...Romania, Sardinia, The Egg and Brixton Jamm (right here on London shores), recently a bit of Spain;

and of course the daily grind: tunes, mixes, remixes, releases, podcasts and tracks and then work!

Seriously though I have been flat out by now and life only seems to get faster! What I can remember has been awesome; there has been too much going on to comment on everything and all. But the gigs have been nuts, from going to Romania for the very first time and smashing Zebra Club at -20 Celsius outside(!!!) to playing alongside Hobo in Sardinia to playing London constantly there hasn’t been any of it I would change. Well maybe the flight back from Sardinia.......add to that some mental house parties and basically I’m “Sheening” it up.

Also my productions have been hitting the right note on the dance floor lately, coming as a much fought for “validation”. Just hearing your tune being played on the club’s sound system and seeing people get their freak on to YOUR TUNE, makes you feel so.... aaaaagh!! It’s totally mad, i love it!
I still feel like the best is yet to come and that I’ve really just began to hit my stride with regards to my productions. I’m looking forward to making the jump across into playing more of my own music and finding new ways of playing live that are closer to the ideas flowing around in my head and truer to the sound that I’m trying to create.

[code]: In a few words, tell us what does Alpha Channel stand for?

Alpha Channel: How many words is a few? ...........basically I like the concept of there being an idea space in which all creative things exist.

Everything comes from everything else though, so you always have a base where you start from and then twisting and remodelling things, ideas; borrowing, recombine and re-channelling concepts into something new, something that wasn’t there before, in the idea space.
And then you start all over again...

[code]: Listening to your music, there is an acute sense of funk, even hip hop riding on the notes of many of your tracks. Probably the truest expression of that can be heard in your latest EP Techalot, which is freshly out on Solid Tracks. Care to elaborate on these relationships and connections?

Alpha Channel: When I first started DJing (many moons ago...:) I actually played hip hop and breaks; so I guess what you’re hearing now is the influence of those forming years coming through in the music I make today. But I really don’t think any music is just one thing.

Techno for instance can be many things and I really get my kicks out of exploring these “many things” and I’ll always try to make things different by taking new approaches and including different influences, not just the same ones over and over again. The approach changes every time with my mood and with what I’m listening to that week or whatever; like right now I’m in a bit of a Giorgio Moroder phase and going a bit disco, so, I have no idea how that will bleed into what I’m working on right now.

In the past I had tried to adhere to one sound or style or thought, but I found that it just didn’t work for me. So now I just do things, like I’ll work on a dubstep track or a nu disco tune and eventually it will mutate into something that I love or I’ll rip just one part out of it and remix that and have that be the basis for an entirely new track. This does tend to leave me with a lot of unfinished ideas...but also I find I get a lot more good ideas from working with less boundaries and less/no direction than I used to. That must also come from just working on tracks more often nowadays, I’ve gotten to a point where I am able to identify quite quick when I’m hitting upon something good.

I did initially think that this would lead to a very disparate and random sound to my productions and that if I were to try and mix them together that they wouldn’t fit at all. But having recently finished a podcast with only my own tracks and remixes I was very pleased to find that I had a sound, distinctive and identifiable even though I had given myself total freedom in terms of the sounds and samples that I used.

[code]: Production wise: old school or new school, analog or digital, loops or recording your own. Give us the whole Alpha Channel creation masterplan!

Alpha Channel: If I had the cash: ALL ANALOGUE. But I don’t so...I’m digital right now. But I am saving up for my First Moog, I want the Minimoog Voyager!

I have wet dreams about it...:)

[code]: Also heard that Alpha Channel is “scratching that itch”. Should we expect some DMC trickery when we see you play live next?

Alpha Channel: No those days are basically gone! I don’t practice anymore, but I used to be into turntablism quite a bit.

[code]: Last time we saw you play a couple of weeks back when you were playing on the same bill with Yoda at Jamm in Brixton! Must’ve been quite an interesting experience. Tell us more about how the whole gig came about and how it went. The whole experience!

Alpha Channel: Yeah it was cool, I played that gig as a part of Designer Thugs which is a side project I have with my mate Christian we just Dj and have fun and play whatever we feel like playing and really b

ounce well off each other, I enjoy doing that as sometimes when I play in a club I can tend to take it all a bit too serious. So doing Designer Thugs breaks the spell and reminds me to have fun with it.

[code]: This week-end just gone it was Jamm again; opening for Phil Hartnoll (Orbital). Now that September is here it’s straight on to Episode III of Technicolour with CLR’s techno rebel Alex Bau in the main room. What are you prepping for the occasions? (sound, performance, hairdo )

Alpha Channel: Again, Jamm was good fun and a way to not think about the complete madness that occurred that week in London with the riots and the looting and general crazy shit. Then as you say Technicolour III with Alex Bau is next. I’m trying to get a couple of new tracks finished up and I’m proper looking forward to rinsing this night out! It’s been a little while since I played The Egg and I remember the sound system is sick. Funktion One if my memory serves me well :D. If I have enough time I’m going to make the switch to a live set up which will be wicked and also a good way of seeing how strong my nerves are, I might bottle out though, as I have fallen back in love with Traktor and just spinning tunes in a more traditional style.

[code]: Until now, who did you feel was the best fit for you playing live? Also who would be your “dream team” on a line-up where your name is written

Alpha Channel: Best by far was warming up for Alex Under (also happened at The Egg last year). Alex is one of my all time favourite producers. I remember seeing him about 4 years ago at Fabric and it’s still in my memory as one of the best nights out I’ve ever had so to warm up for him was very special; it was also my Birthday that weekend: all planets had aligned just right!

Playing with Hobo out in Sardinia was really awesome too. We had an amazing steak for dinner then hung out together all night, he’s a really sound dude and I had an ace time chatting all night and all the next day as everyone else spoke Italian and not much English. We were pretty much stuck with each other. There are tons of people I would love to play with in the future. Some of the names that instantly spring to mind are Minilouge, John Tejada, Gaiser and Mathew Jonson…………but the list could go on and on.

[code]: Who do you consider to be your mentors? Guiding you and inspiring you when you need most. Do you believe in such a concept?

Alpha Channel: I work by myself so I’m not sure I have any mentors really. That may be a good thing or a bad thing but I have too many time constraints to work properly with anyone else over a long period of time.
I basically make tracks and then play them to my brother and my mates and everyone I can and listen to what they have to say and watch their faces when they’re listening to it to see if they smile. Then once I’m happy with the faces, playing tracks out at gigs is the best test of all.

And finally

[code]: What’s your reply to chicks coming on to you and asking you if you’re in any way related to Richie Hawtin? There is some resemblance...

No one’s asked me yet, I guess I would take it as a complement (?) But they’d have to be taking the piss. Either way I’d still laugh my ass off (Laughing hard and blushing)

You can check out Alpha Channel 's latest EP Techalot Out Now on Solid Tracks exclusively through Beatport
http://www.beatport.com/label/solid-tracks-records/13278

Alpha is also playing live on 30th of September at Egg Club London at
TECHNICOLOUR: The Cinematographic House Music Experience
EPISODE III

Techalot #10 - for the short attention spanned:

This Week.....Stanton SCS.4DJ, OCTAPAD SPD-30, M-Audio Venom, Realtime Music Visualization With TouchDesigner and Ableton Live Compression Basics

Stanton SCS.4DJ - Digital DJ Mixstation:

Fully integrated computer, software and controller. The SCS.4DJ is a controller in its true form, but it also has built-in software that makes it able to simply stand alone without any computer. You just need a source with music like a USB Stick. A very good buy if you're simply looking to get a standalone DJ unit for playing digital media. No more computer issues. Just plug and play.

OCTAPAD SPD-30:

Not a new product but I only jut found it and it is very cool none the less. The size of a briefcase, the Octapad offered drummers and percussionists the equivalent of an entire electronic rig in one self-contained unit. The SPD-30 blends the world’s most essential sounds with the latest triggering technology in a road-tough package that’s ready for the most demanding performers. It has support from people like Pan-Pot have recently been seen using it in their live sets.

M-Audio Venom -12-Voice Virtual Analog Synthesizer:

The M-Audio Venom 49-key synthesizer combines the character of classic analog synths with modern digital processing to deliver an aggressive, infectious new sound. Wet your appetite with the included presets, then sink your teeth into creating original sounds—from atmospheric and subtle, to angry and downright nasty. Easily tweak parameters from the intuitive top-panel interface, or explore endless sound design and configuration possibilities with the included software editor.

Realtime Music Visualization With TouchDesigner:

Some cool visuals based of an old idea - This project explores ‘the possibility of synesthesia in the format of audiovisual performance. The audio triggers the mechanism of lines that flows according to the frequency spectrum.’ Creating a visual representation of the sound. Like most music players have done for ages but a lot better looking.

Ableton Live Guide - Compression Basics:

I can't embed the video for this but here is the link

In this episode Peter introduces Compression , and talks about the four key elements of a compressor - Threshold, Ratio, Attack and Release.

That's it...Enjoy

Mark (",)