Rhythmism.comQ&A With Michael Mayer @ Movement 2010 | BKLYN Yard - Sunday, May 30
by rhythmism
Thursday, May 27th 2010, 02:35 PM
As a DJ, producer and remixer, Michael Mayer remains one of Germany's core celebrities in dance music. It's no secret that he spends his weekends traveling around the globe. It's likely throughout his career he's played in front of millions. Then, as a co-owner of Kompakt, he spends his weekdays deciding what will be released on the label and working with the label's artists and overseeing Kompakt's distribution wing - the home of over 50 record labels. Amazingly enough, he manages to sneak into the studio on occasion to produce his own music and remix the likes of Pet Shop Boys, Depeche Mode, Foals and Rufus Wainwright. It's safe to say he loves being challenged and regardless of the pressure is never putting less than 100% of his heart and soul into everything he does. Michale Mayer will be coming stateside for two dates over Memorial Day weekend. First, the Sundays Best crew brings him to BKLYN Yard on Sunday, May 30 then, the next day he will be performing on the Red Bull Music Academy stage at Movement 2010 in Detroit's Hart Plaza.
You will be playing at Movement 2010 in Detroit. What has your experience with this festival been?
I’ve got nothing but great memories from my last appearance in 2007. It’s so good to see Detroit’s center alive like that and it’s a great honor for me to be invited again.
This is going to be the tenth anniversary of the festival in Detroit. It is widely recognized as one of the premier techno events around the world. How have the sounds of Detroit techno influenced you as an artist? Who are some of your favorite Detroit techno figures?
Inner City’s Big Fun was my introduction to Detroit techno. Since then I’ve bought, played and cherished so many records from this city. I’ve just moved apartments, so I had to touch every single record I’ve bought. It was a pleasure to revise my Detroit collection, too. It’s difficult for me to pick the most influential artists because there are so many. Let’s say Kevin Saunderson, Carl Craig, Rick Wade, Daniel Bell, Mad Mike and Kenny Larkin and all the others.
You are about to release the third edition of your acclaimed ‘Immer’ mix series. In the digital age of podcasts and oversaturation of DJ mixes on the market, how has this mix series evolved or differ from the previous editions?
If a podcast is a snapshot taken with your mobile, Immer 3 is a proper portrait taken with a professional SLR camera. I’ve constantly had this imaginary tracklist on my mind since I finished working on Immer 2. It’s been a long selection process comparable to inviting your dearest friends to your birthday party. Sometimes your oldest friends are your best ones but then again, you make a new acquaintance that instantly becomes very important to you and you know, that this person is going to stay in your life for a long time. The concept of Immer didn’t really change since number 1 but I think it got more refined and mature. It seems that Immer 3 became my most feminine mix so far. I mean, it’s more emotional and sensitive than the others. And more sensual as well.
Your label Kompakt is going strong well over a decade since its inception. You have stated that the label was designed as a platform for all musical styles to be released under one roof. What are some of the defining releases for the label?
Somehow every new release adds a new aspect to the label. We’re constantly looking for new exciting ways to entertain ourselves, and our listeners, too. It’s like creating a menu for a restaurant. There are the signature dishes and then the daily recommendations. Matias Aguayo, The Field or more recently Walls certainly opened new doors for us. Sometimes you need to get away from the dancefloor in order to get inspiration for the dancefloor. It’s a constant insemination process between the styles. I really enjoy taking the freedom to balance between chugging techno, abstract music and pop.
Your current favorite Kompakt release?
It’s always to next release. I’m very excited about this new project from Copenhagen we’ve signed called Jatoma. We’re going to release an album with them this fall. Superpitcher’s upcoming album is full of great music, too.
Outside the world of dance music, who are some of your musical influences?
I’m sort of a musical omnivore… lately, I’m discovering a lot of world music and psychedelic jazz.
How does the city of Cologne compare to techno-hub Berlin?
It’s a bit like London/Manchester or New York/Detroit. We’re responsible for feeding the scene with new ideas whereas Berlin is all about the party. Sometimes, too much of the good things isn’t good for you. I think in Cologne you can be more focused and probably more free-minded. But I don’t see a competition between the two cities.
You’ll be kicking off the Sunday Best series at Brooklyn’s The Yard. What are some of your favorite things to do in NYC?
That’s going to be awesome! I’ve heard such great things about this party… I can spend all day just walking around NY without a certain destination. If I come across some cool boutiques I don’t mind shopping either.
What is next for you and for Kompakt in 2010?
Right now, I’m knee deep into preparing Total 11. It’s the year after the magic 10, so we’re fully motivated to make this one even more special than the previous ones. It’s like a little new beginning rather than just an “on we go…” 2010 feels like a very interesting year for music. It’s like anything goes! Just as long as it’s not boring…
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Sunday Best presents
Michael Mayer
Justin Carter
Eamon Harkin
Doug Singer
BKLYN Yard
400 Carroll Street
Brooklyn, NYC
3-9pm, All Ages
$12 @ the door
$8 before 4pm w/ RSVP
www.sundaysbestnyc.com
Saturday-Monday, May 29-31, 2010
Paxahau presents
MOVEMENT 2010
A-Trak, Acid Didj, Agoria, Anthony "Shake" Shakir, Barem, Booka Shade - Live, Cassy, Chris Liebing, Claude VonStroke, Dan Bain, Derrick Carter, Derrick May, DJ Dick, DJ Godfather, DJ Hype, DJ Koze, DJ Pierre, DJ Sneak, DJ Torpez, dOP - Live, DZ feat. Toothfaced, Excision, Francesco Tristano – Live, Gabe Real & Ian Desmond – Live, Ghostland Observatory – Live, Greg Gow , Hudson Mohawke, Ida Engberg, Inner City, Inxec, I-Robots, ItaloBoyz, Jamie Jones, Jeff Risk, Jennifer Xerri, Jenny Lafemme, Jimmy Edgar, John Ryan and Ian Clark – Live, Joel Mull, John Acquaviva, John Johr, Josh Wink, K-HAND, Kenny Larkin – Live, Kenneth Thomas, Kid Sister – Live, Kirk Digiorgio, Kraak & Smaak, Kyle Hall, Larry Heard, Luke Hess – Live, Magda, Marco Carola, Mark Ernestus (Rhythm & Sound), Martin Buttrich – Live, Martinez Bros, Martyn, Matthew Hawtin, Mauro Picotto, Michael Mayer, Minx, Model 500, Monty Luke, Mortiz Von Oswald Trio – Live, Motel Connection - Live, Mr. Scruff, Niko Marks – Live, Onur Ozer, Orlando Voorn - Live, Paco Osuna, Patrice Scott, Phat Kat & Guilty Simpson w/ Will Sessions – Live, Pretty Lights - Live, Psycatron, Punisher, Radio Slave, Recloose, Rex Sepulveda, Ricardo Villalobos, Richie Hawtin presents Plastikman Live, Rick Wilhite, Rob Hood - Live, Rolando, Ryan Crosson, Scion - Live, Sean Deason, Secrets - Live, Shawn Michaels, Shigeto, Simian Mobile Disco, Sinistarr w/ MC Teddy Bombscare, Stacey Pullen, Starski&Clutch, Stylophonic, Theo Parish, Woody Mcbride, Yos
Hart Plaza
Detroit, MI
12-12, all ages
$55 in advance while supplies last
www.movement.us
www.kompakt.fm
www.myspace.com/kompakt
You will be playing at Movement 2010 in Detroit. What has your experience with this festival been?
I’ve got nothing but great memories from my last appearance in 2007. It’s so good to see Detroit’s center alive like that and it’s a great honor for me to be invited again.
This is going to be the tenth anniversary of the festival in Detroit. It is widely recognized as one of the premier techno events around the world. How have the sounds of Detroit techno influenced you as an artist? Who are some of your favorite Detroit techno figures?
Inner City’s Big Fun was my introduction to Detroit techno. Since then I’ve bought, played and cherished so many records from this city. I’ve just moved apartments, so I had to touch every single record I’ve bought. It was a pleasure to revise my Detroit collection, too. It’s difficult for me to pick the most influential artists because there are so many. Let’s say Kevin Saunderson, Carl Craig, Rick Wade, Daniel Bell, Mad Mike and Kenny Larkin and all the others.
You are about to release the third edition of your acclaimed ‘Immer’ mix series. In the digital age of podcasts and oversaturation of DJ mixes on the market, how has this mix series evolved or differ from the previous editions?
If a podcast is a snapshot taken with your mobile, Immer 3 is a proper portrait taken with a professional SLR camera. I’ve constantly had this imaginary tracklist on my mind since I finished working on Immer 2. It’s been a long selection process comparable to inviting your dearest friends to your birthday party. Sometimes your oldest friends are your best ones but then again, you make a new acquaintance that instantly becomes very important to you and you know, that this person is going to stay in your life for a long time. The concept of Immer didn’t really change since number 1 but I think it got more refined and mature. It seems that Immer 3 became my most feminine mix so far. I mean, it’s more emotional and sensitive than the others. And more sensual as well.
Your label Kompakt is going strong well over a decade since its inception. You have stated that the label was designed as a platform for all musical styles to be released under one roof. What are some of the defining releases for the label?
Somehow every new release adds a new aspect to the label. We’re constantly looking for new exciting ways to entertain ourselves, and our listeners, too. It’s like creating a menu for a restaurant. There are the signature dishes and then the daily recommendations. Matias Aguayo, The Field or more recently Walls certainly opened new doors for us. Sometimes you need to get away from the dancefloor in order to get inspiration for the dancefloor. It’s a constant insemination process between the styles. I really enjoy taking the freedom to balance between chugging techno, abstract music and pop.
Your current favorite Kompakt release?
It’s always to next release. I’m very excited about this new project from Copenhagen we’ve signed called Jatoma. We’re going to release an album with them this fall. Superpitcher’s upcoming album is full of great music, too.
Outside the world of dance music, who are some of your musical influences?
I’m sort of a musical omnivore… lately, I’m discovering a lot of world music and psychedelic jazz.
How does the city of Cologne compare to techno-hub Berlin?
It’s a bit like London/Manchester or New York/Detroit. We’re responsible for feeding the scene with new ideas whereas Berlin is all about the party. Sometimes, too much of the good things isn’t good for you. I think in Cologne you can be more focused and probably more free-minded. But I don’t see a competition between the two cities.
You’ll be kicking off the Sunday Best series at Brooklyn’s The Yard. What are some of your favorite things to do in NYC?
That’s going to be awesome! I’ve heard such great things about this party… I can spend all day just walking around NY without a certain destination. If I come across some cool boutiques I don’t mind shopping either.
What is next for you and for Kompakt in 2010?
Right now, I’m knee deep into preparing Total 11. It’s the year after the magic 10, so we’re fully motivated to make this one even more special than the previous ones. It’s like a little new beginning rather than just an “on we go…” 2010 feels like a very interesting year for music. It’s like anything goes! Just as long as it’s not boring…
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Sunday Best presents
Michael Mayer
Justin Carter
Eamon Harkin
Doug Singer
BKLYN Yard
400 Carroll Street
Brooklyn, NYC
3-9pm, All Ages
$12 @ the door
$8 before 4pm w/ RSVP
www.sundaysbestnyc.com
Saturday-Monday, May 29-31, 2010
Paxahau presents
MOVEMENT 2010
A-Trak, Acid Didj, Agoria, Anthony "Shake" Shakir, Barem, Booka Shade - Live, Cassy, Chris Liebing, Claude VonStroke, Dan Bain, Derrick Carter, Derrick May, DJ Dick, DJ Godfather, DJ Hype, DJ Koze, DJ Pierre, DJ Sneak, DJ Torpez, dOP - Live, DZ feat. Toothfaced, Excision, Francesco Tristano – Live, Gabe Real & Ian Desmond – Live, Ghostland Observatory – Live, Greg Gow , Hudson Mohawke, Ida Engberg, Inner City, Inxec, I-Robots, ItaloBoyz, Jamie Jones, Jeff Risk, Jennifer Xerri, Jenny Lafemme, Jimmy Edgar, John Ryan and Ian Clark – Live, Joel Mull, John Acquaviva, John Johr, Josh Wink, K-HAND, Kenny Larkin – Live, Kenneth Thomas, Kid Sister – Live, Kirk Digiorgio, Kraak & Smaak, Kyle Hall, Larry Heard, Luke Hess – Live, Magda, Marco Carola, Mark Ernestus (Rhythm & Sound), Martin Buttrich – Live, Martinez Bros, Martyn, Matthew Hawtin, Mauro Picotto, Michael Mayer, Minx, Model 500, Monty Luke, Mortiz Von Oswald Trio – Live, Motel Connection - Live, Mr. Scruff, Niko Marks – Live, Onur Ozer, Orlando Voorn - Live, Paco Osuna, Patrice Scott, Phat Kat & Guilty Simpson w/ Will Sessions – Live, Pretty Lights - Live, Psycatron, Punisher, Radio Slave, Recloose, Rex Sepulveda, Ricardo Villalobos, Richie Hawtin presents Plastikman Live, Rick Wilhite, Rob Hood - Live, Rolando, Ryan Crosson, Scion - Live, Sean Deason, Secrets - Live, Shawn Michaels, Shigeto, Simian Mobile Disco, Sinistarr w/ MC Teddy Bombscare, Stacey Pullen, Starski&Clutch, Stylophonic, Theo Parish, Woody Mcbride, Yos
Hart Plaza
Detroit, MI
12-12, all ages
$55 in advance while supplies last
www.movement.us
www.kompakt.fm
www.myspace.com/kompakt
