Rhythmism.comQ&A w/ Steve Bug | Save the Cannibals w/ Steve Bug @ Rebel- June 6
by rhythmism
Thursday, May 28th 2009, 05:44 PM
Steve Bug makes his triumphant return to Save the Cannibals on June 6, 2009 with an anticipated fourth LP on the way. The original Cannibals resident inaugurated this Saturday techno weekly in style in January and is back to kick off the summer clubbing season. Steve is releasing his latest album Collaboratory in early June on his Poker Flat label. Based strongly on the ideas of collaboration, shared ideas, mutual respect for fellow artists and the strength of combining forces in the studio, Steve chose some very special producers and vocalists to work with on this exciting project.
You launched Save the Cannibals back in January and now you’re back in NYC for your Save The Cannibals date on June 6th. When Made Event approached you to be a resident what were your initial thoughts and decision process?
I've been working with Made for some years already. The parties have always been great and Mike and Laura became good friends over the years. So obviously I was happy to give back something for all the support in the past years.
What kind of significance is there for you to be playing in New York City?
I love playing in New York. The vibe is always great and people seem to be really hungry and appreciative for underground house and techno.
Besides the usual suspects already being booked by Cannibals, who would you recommend behind the DJ booth?
I just heard Ryan Elliott in Detroit. He played an amazing set. Then I think Matthias Tanzmann could be a good option. Also the Whighnomy Brothers could rock the place, but there are many more I would suggest.
Your 4th artist album “Collaboratory” is being released on your Poker Flat label. What were some of the underlying ideas put forth in the album?
I wanted to collaborate with several people. I wanted the album to include various styles and I wanted it to be an album that you can listen to at home more than once without getting tired of it.
How was it like to work with your fellow peers like Cassy, Cle, Paris the Black Fu just to name a few on this new album? Describe the collaboration process?
I was working with several artists before and I always thought it is great to work with other producers in the studio. It is an exchange of ideas and different influences and mostly something great comes out of it. But I prefer working with artists that I am friends with instead of just asking big names. As I said for me it is about the process not the success. The vocal artists recorded their vocals at their studios and sent them over to me. All the others have been working with me together in my studio in Berlin.
What inspiration do you draw from Berlin as a city? From the creative community?
I think Berlin has a great vibe and it has a lot of creative energy. It is hard to explain, but for me it has nothing to do with other artists that live there. It’s the city itself that has always made me feel really at home and comfortable, long before Berlin became a musical creative community.
What has been the most humbling experience as a DJ/Artist?
The most humbling/embarrassing experience was a long time ago in the early 90's. I was playing in that club in South Germany, let's call it a discotheque instead. Back then everyone tried to make money with techno and house music, even the worst places. Some things never change. I had to go down there by car which was an 8 hours drive and I kind of got lost on the way, so I got there 45 min. late. Only a few people were in the club when I got there and when I started this guy announced me as if I was a superstar. The crowd didn't understand anything of what I was doing at all. The club got empty pretty soon and then the promoter started a long discussion about me being late and wanting to reduce the fee.A weird night.
What has been the most rewarding experience as a DJ/Artist?
There have been so many great moments, it would be hard to pick only one.
How do you find balance between being a traveling artist and being the head man of three record labels (Poker Flat, Audiomatique and Dessous)?
Luckily I have a trustful partner for the labels and we have a super crew at the Poker Flat / Dessous / Audiomatique office. I am taking care of all the A+R and other creative things. The office is doing most of the administration, so it is easy to work on the road, or either before and after the studio while being in Berlin.
With over 15 years in this industry, countless releases and three successful running record labels; do you see yourself conquering other challenges in life besides being a DJ/producer?
I still love what I am doing and I am more than happy that I am still able to be a part of the whole thing. I don't really want to do something else.
What’s next for you in life?
In the moment I am touring a lot. I will be going to China, Singapore and Japan as well as some European countries...
I am also working on a lot of stuff in the studio right now.
Who are the next wave of producers that are grabbing your attention?
I love the whole Essen posse, dplay, Langenberg and all those guys. Also I really dig Motorcitydrumensemble from Stuttgart. Khris Wadsworth is doing some amazing stuff as well. Then there is a new wave out of Leipzig, producers like Sven Tasnadi for example, or Matthias Meyer from Hamburg.
FAN QUESTIONS
“What was the longest set you've ever played (and where) and what was that experience like?” -Sylvana Kiss
Oh, I don't really remember. I usually play around 3 to 4 hours, at festivals maybe a little less and at small clubs I try definitely to play longer sessions. The longest must have been around 6 maybe 7 hours; but to be honest most people won't be staying on the dancefloor for that long anyways, so I'd rather play 2 perfect shorter sets. After 5 hours it starts to become difficult to still give 100% and I don't really like to make mistakes.
“What Poker Flat releases never leave your record bag?” -Doug Galorenzo
I have to say it is "Loverboy"
“How have your roots from Bremen influenced you as an artist?” -Rueben Akerman
Not really, but maybe the sense of Northern German dry humor is something that is reflecting in some of my tracks.
How has Berlin influenced you?- George Krassas
That's hard to answer, but Berlin definitely has an influence on my productions and DJ sets.
"You've been referred to as the "Gentleman of Techno" in the past but your sets are far from pigeonholed into any one genre. Given how eclectic and well rounded your taste is, what do you foresee as being the next big sound to follow the minimal backlash / deep house revival?" – Elisa Cuaron
I can't really say, I don't do time travels yet but I still see deephouse getting stronger and stronger. The logic consequence for the next thing would be more melodic techno tracks, strong beats, but deep sounds, kinda detroit'ish but we'll see...
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Save the Cannibals
w/ Steve Bug
@ Rebel
Rebel
251 W. 30 St.
New York City
21+ with valid i.d.
Doors open @ 10PM
$15 in advance from www.savethecannibals.com
www.savethecannibals.com
www.madeevent.com
www.stevebug.com
www.myspace.com/buginmyspace
www.pokerflat-recordings.com
You launched Save the Cannibals back in January and now you’re back in NYC for your Save The Cannibals date on June 6th. When Made Event approached you to be a resident what were your initial thoughts and decision process?
I've been working with Made for some years already. The parties have always been great and Mike and Laura became good friends over the years. So obviously I was happy to give back something for all the support in the past years.
What kind of significance is there for you to be playing in New York City?
I love playing in New York. The vibe is always great and people seem to be really hungry and appreciative for underground house and techno.
Besides the usual suspects already being booked by Cannibals, who would you recommend behind the DJ booth?
I just heard Ryan Elliott in Detroit. He played an amazing set. Then I think Matthias Tanzmann could be a good option. Also the Whighnomy Brothers could rock the place, but there are many more I would suggest.
Your 4th artist album “Collaboratory” is being released on your Poker Flat label. What were some of the underlying ideas put forth in the album?
I wanted to collaborate with several people. I wanted the album to include various styles and I wanted it to be an album that you can listen to at home more than once without getting tired of it.
How was it like to work with your fellow peers like Cassy, Cle, Paris the Black Fu just to name a few on this new album? Describe the collaboration process?
I was working with several artists before and I always thought it is great to work with other producers in the studio. It is an exchange of ideas and different influences and mostly something great comes out of it. But I prefer working with artists that I am friends with instead of just asking big names. As I said for me it is about the process not the success. The vocal artists recorded their vocals at their studios and sent them over to me. All the others have been working with me together in my studio in Berlin.
What inspiration do you draw from Berlin as a city? From the creative community?
I think Berlin has a great vibe and it has a lot of creative energy. It is hard to explain, but for me it has nothing to do with other artists that live there. It’s the city itself that has always made me feel really at home and comfortable, long before Berlin became a musical creative community.
What has been the most humbling experience as a DJ/Artist?
The most humbling/embarrassing experience was a long time ago in the early 90's. I was playing in that club in South Germany, let's call it a discotheque instead. Back then everyone tried to make money with techno and house music, even the worst places. Some things never change. I had to go down there by car which was an 8 hours drive and I kind of got lost on the way, so I got there 45 min. late. Only a few people were in the club when I got there and when I started this guy announced me as if I was a superstar. The crowd didn't understand anything of what I was doing at all. The club got empty pretty soon and then the promoter started a long discussion about me being late and wanting to reduce the fee.A weird night.
What has been the most rewarding experience as a DJ/Artist?
There have been so many great moments, it would be hard to pick only one.
How do you find balance between being a traveling artist and being the head man of three record labels (Poker Flat, Audiomatique and Dessous)?
Luckily I have a trustful partner for the labels and we have a super crew at the Poker Flat / Dessous / Audiomatique office. I am taking care of all the A+R and other creative things. The office is doing most of the administration, so it is easy to work on the road, or either before and after the studio while being in Berlin.
With over 15 years in this industry, countless releases and three successful running record labels; do you see yourself conquering other challenges in life besides being a DJ/producer?
I still love what I am doing and I am more than happy that I am still able to be a part of the whole thing. I don't really want to do something else.
What’s next for you in life?
In the moment I am touring a lot. I will be going to China, Singapore and Japan as well as some European countries...
I am also working on a lot of stuff in the studio right now.
Who are the next wave of producers that are grabbing your attention?
I love the whole Essen posse, dplay, Langenberg and all those guys. Also I really dig Motorcitydrumensemble from Stuttgart. Khris Wadsworth is doing some amazing stuff as well. Then there is a new wave out of Leipzig, producers like Sven Tasnadi for example, or Matthias Meyer from Hamburg.
FAN QUESTIONS
“What was the longest set you've ever played (and where) and what was that experience like?” -Sylvana Kiss
Oh, I don't really remember. I usually play around 3 to 4 hours, at festivals maybe a little less and at small clubs I try definitely to play longer sessions. The longest must have been around 6 maybe 7 hours; but to be honest most people won't be staying on the dancefloor for that long anyways, so I'd rather play 2 perfect shorter sets. After 5 hours it starts to become difficult to still give 100% and I don't really like to make mistakes.
“What Poker Flat releases never leave your record bag?” -Doug Galorenzo
I have to say it is "Loverboy"
“How have your roots from Bremen influenced you as an artist?” -Rueben Akerman
Not really, but maybe the sense of Northern German dry humor is something that is reflecting in some of my tracks.
How has Berlin influenced you?- George Krassas
That's hard to answer, but Berlin definitely has an influence on my productions and DJ sets.
"You've been referred to as the "Gentleman of Techno" in the past but your sets are far from pigeonholed into any one genre. Given how eclectic and well rounded your taste is, what do you foresee as being the next big sound to follow the minimal backlash / deep house revival?" – Elisa Cuaron
I can't really say, I don't do time travels yet but I still see deephouse getting stronger and stronger. The logic consequence for the next thing would be more melodic techno tracks, strong beats, but deep sounds, kinda detroit'ish but we'll see...
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Save the Cannibals
w/ Steve Bug
@ Rebel
Rebel
251 W. 30 St.
New York City
21+ with valid i.d.
Doors open @ 10PM
$15 in advance from www.savethecannibals.com
www.savethecannibals.com
www.madeevent.com
www.stevebug.com
www.myspace.com/buginmyspace
www.pokerflat-recordings.com
