Rhythmism.comQ&A with Sander Kleinenberg | This Is... My Birthday @ Pacha NYC & The BPM Festival
by rhythmism
Thursday, Dec 10th 2009, 04:18 PM
Having recently wrapping up his hugely successful Pure Pacha Ibiza residency, Sander has been in the studio putting the finishing touches on his debut artist album due in early 2010. The album will feature a plethora of amazing new productions, which he has worked on with U.S. heavyweight Josh Gabriel. If the first single, “This Is Our Night” and his most recent mix compilation, This Is...Sander Kleineberg 2 is any indication, the album will further draw on Sander's diverse range of styles creating a sound distinctly his own. Once considered a "NuBreed", Sander is now a seasoned veteran in the world of dance music. He is as accomplished a producer and remixer as he is a globe trotting DJ. Tracks such as "My Lexicon", "The Fruit", and his massive WMC anthem "This Is...Miami", along with major releases on the likes of Renaissance and Global Underground have cemented Sander's place at the peak of his craft. Sander will be showcasing his distinct sound (and cuts from the new album) at two distinctively great events in the coming weeks. First, he returns to Pacha NYC the celebrate his birthday for the third straight year. On Saturday, December 26, 2009 be there as This Is...My Birthday brings Sander to NYC for a night of post Christmas cheer. Then Sander will be heading to the sunny shores of Playa Del Carmen, Mexico in order to kick of the 3rd Annual BPM Festival in style. Taking place from January 1-10, 2010, the BPM Festival features a stellar line-up of over 70+ globally renowned DJs. BPM will surely have something to offer for every electronic music aficionado.
You’re returning to Pacha NYC for your now annual “This Is… My Birthday” celebration. What brings you back to NYC each year and to Pacha for this auspicious occasion?
its the debauchery and mayhem that goes on in Gotham, let me remind you, the greatest city in the world..
What would be your choice NYC restaurant for a birthday dinner?
Babbo, one of my favorite restaurants in the world.
You were once considered one of the “Nu-Breed“ of DJs as heralded by Global Underground back in 2001. Since then you’ve achieved a significant amount of success and established yourself as one of the superjocks. Is this the life you envisioned back then?
Not in the slightest way.. and I still don’t. I do what I love which is to make and play music. All the rest is cooky clutter.. great tasting but not shaping.
Which artists would you anoint as the new “Nu Breed” today?
There are so many people coming through and getting there moment in the limelight, some survive, some don’t.. Joris Voorn, Aeroplane, Deadmau5, Apparat, are very promising talents, but it’s hard to judge a talent on hype, trend or a sound. It’s the ability to adjust re-shape and re-invent that makes an Artist interesting. Anyone that stands still because he or she is afraid they might loose popularity is, in my view, just a product..
You’ve become known for your pioneering DVJ set-up and experimentation with visual accompaniment when you DJ. Could you tell us a little bit about the process that goes along with selecting images and footage for a set? How long does it take and where do you source the material?
Well...,I work closely with Mark Pistoor who is an average white guy with great visual taste. We go through our possibilities visually which is mostly guided by what a particular track feels like sonically. We already have an extensive back catalogue of material that we have accumulated over the years. Creating visuals for a track takes time, but once you have a "tool box" of elements for each "vibe", you can then use the same elements for a few tracks that have the same feeling so that visually your dj set follows a pattern. You see, I treat my dj sets like little mountains that you climb.. little peaks that you build from and towards, visually its not that hard to follow the intensity of the records that I play. That’s what we do.. r u still there? hello?
What was the last album you actually purchased?
Alela Diane - To Be Still, but I can be more honest by saying the best of Lionel Richie because I wanted to sample “All Night Long” and needed the WAF file.. (found out it was a bad idea so don’t worry)
You spend a big chunk of your life on planes and in airports. What would be on your “music for airports” playlist?
“Highway To Hell” by AC/DC..
You’ve been busy completing work on your debut artist album with Josh Gabriel (formerly of Gabriel & Dresden). How did you guys collaborate? What are your respective roles in the studio?
I lay on the couch and act like a dick while Josh makes hit records for which I take all the credit...a bit like all famous dj's really.
You’re also collaborating with American Idol’s Ryan Starr. How did that come about?
I didn’t know she was on that show.... (honest!). Anyway, I have a great residency in LA playing at Avalon 4 times a year, and she is involved in that evening. Her boyfriend is the promoter of that night and we get along famously. I had just wrote a song and looked for a singer. We recorded a demo and in that same session, recorded some other quick ideas. One of those ideas have become a track called "Chemically": a fun little tune about how boys/men so often misread what a girl wants. What a magic moment that was.
What was the biggest surprise in making the album?
That it’s not the huge depression, breakdown and suicidal evoking journey that iI thought it was going to be which is what kept me from doing this for a pretty long time.
You’ve been previewing tracks from your pending debut artist album on the road? What has been the response and since then have you been tweaking tracks back in the studio?
That is a secret that I cannot reveal.. sorry
You’re an avid Tweeter. At last count we were at 1,561 tweets. How much has this changed your interaction with your fans?
It's the first time that i feel at ease connecting with the world via the interspacewebs.. its fun.. short and it is direct.. , I also can do it while taking a shit. I have got 3 words for that.... awesome!!
You’re heading to LA for a 2-part NYE celebration in LA at Together As One and Avalon Hollywood. What draws you to LA for the biggest night of the year?
The money..the fame.. and I love LA gals!
Immediately following NYE, you’re heading south to the 3rd annual BPM Festival in Mexico. This is now your 2nd year headlining the festival. What are the best things about starting the new year in Playa del Carmen?
Any New Year resolutions for 2010?
Still deciding....
Saturday, December 26th, 2009
Pacha NYC presents
This Is...My Birthday
Sander Kleinenberg
w/ Jonathan Cowan
Pacha NYC
618 W. 46 St
New York City
Doors @ 10pm/21+
$10 admission before midnight with RSVP
$20 in advance @ www.pachanyc.com
January 1-10, 2010
The 3rd Annual BPM Festival
Playa Del Carmen, Mexico
www.thebpmfestival.com
You’re returning to Pacha NYC for your now annual “This Is… My Birthday” celebration. What brings you back to NYC each year and to Pacha for this auspicious occasion?
its the debauchery and mayhem that goes on in Gotham, let me remind you, the greatest city in the world..
What would be your choice NYC restaurant for a birthday dinner?
Babbo, one of my favorite restaurants in the world.
You were once considered one of the “Nu-Breed“ of DJs as heralded by Global Underground back in 2001. Since then you’ve achieved a significant amount of success and established yourself as one of the superjocks. Is this the life you envisioned back then?
Not in the slightest way.. and I still don’t. I do what I love which is to make and play music. All the rest is cooky clutter.. great tasting but not shaping.
Which artists would you anoint as the new “Nu Breed” today?
There are so many people coming through and getting there moment in the limelight, some survive, some don’t.. Joris Voorn, Aeroplane, Deadmau5, Apparat, are very promising talents, but it’s hard to judge a talent on hype, trend or a sound. It’s the ability to adjust re-shape and re-invent that makes an Artist interesting. Anyone that stands still because he or she is afraid they might loose popularity is, in my view, just a product..
You’ve become known for your pioneering DVJ set-up and experimentation with visual accompaniment when you DJ. Could you tell us a little bit about the process that goes along with selecting images and footage for a set? How long does it take and where do you source the material?
Well...,I work closely with Mark Pistoor who is an average white guy with great visual taste. We go through our possibilities visually which is mostly guided by what a particular track feels like sonically. We already have an extensive back catalogue of material that we have accumulated over the years. Creating visuals for a track takes time, but once you have a "tool box" of elements for each "vibe", you can then use the same elements for a few tracks that have the same feeling so that visually your dj set follows a pattern. You see, I treat my dj sets like little mountains that you climb.. little peaks that you build from and towards, visually its not that hard to follow the intensity of the records that I play. That’s what we do.. r u still there? hello?
What was the last album you actually purchased?
Alela Diane - To Be Still, but I can be more honest by saying the best of Lionel Richie because I wanted to sample “All Night Long” and needed the WAF file.. (found out it was a bad idea so don’t worry)
You spend a big chunk of your life on planes and in airports. What would be on your “music for airports” playlist?
“Highway To Hell” by AC/DC..
You’ve been busy completing work on your debut artist album with Josh Gabriel (formerly of Gabriel & Dresden). How did you guys collaborate? What are your respective roles in the studio?
I lay on the couch and act like a dick while Josh makes hit records for which I take all the credit...a bit like all famous dj's really.
You’re also collaborating with American Idol’s Ryan Starr. How did that come about?
I didn’t know she was on that show.... (honest!). Anyway, I have a great residency in LA playing at Avalon 4 times a year, and she is involved in that evening. Her boyfriend is the promoter of that night and we get along famously. I had just wrote a song and looked for a singer. We recorded a demo and in that same session, recorded some other quick ideas. One of those ideas have become a track called "Chemically": a fun little tune about how boys/men so often misread what a girl wants. What a magic moment that was.
What was the biggest surprise in making the album?
That it’s not the huge depression, breakdown and suicidal evoking journey that iI thought it was going to be which is what kept me from doing this for a pretty long time.
You’ve been previewing tracks from your pending debut artist album on the road? What has been the response and since then have you been tweaking tracks back in the studio?
That is a secret that I cannot reveal.. sorry
You’re an avid Tweeter. At last count we were at 1,561 tweets. How much has this changed your interaction with your fans?
It's the first time that i feel at ease connecting with the world via the interspacewebs.. its fun.. short and it is direct.. , I also can do it while taking a shit. I have got 3 words for that.... awesome!!
You’re heading to LA for a 2-part NYE celebration in LA at Together As One and Avalon Hollywood. What draws you to LA for the biggest night of the year?
The money..the fame.. and I love LA gals!
Immediately following NYE, you’re heading south to the 3rd annual BPM Festival in Mexico. This is now your 2nd year headlining the festival. What are the best things about starting the new year in Playa del Carmen?
Any New Year resolutions for 2010?
Still deciding....
Saturday, December 26th, 2009
Pacha NYC presents
This Is...My Birthday
Sander Kleinenberg
w/ Jonathan Cowan
Pacha NYC
618 W. 46 St
New York City
Doors @ 10pm/21+
$10 admission before midnight with RSVP
$20 in advance @ www.pachanyc.com
January 1-10, 2010
The 3rd Annual BPM Festival
Playa Del Carmen, Mexico
www.thebpmfestival.com
