Rhythmism.comQ&A with Shaun Reeves | Immerse 05 presents P.S.1 AfterHours
by rhythmism
Thursday, Jul 23rd 2009, 06:06 PM
Since his move to Berlin, Shaun Reeves has enthralled European audiences with his distinctive mixture of American house -both classic and contemporary -and the deepest, most cutting-edge aspects of minimal techno and tech-house. On Saturday, July 25, Shaun Reeves (who also happens to be celebrating his birthday) joins a stellar lineup of eclectic and exciting Detroit and NYC-based DJ's for the long awaited return of Immerse 05. This event will be held at the newly-renovated and experimentally-oriented (with the use of their club and loft spaces) HK Lounge. This multi-level venue with three different rooms and roof access is truly a breath of fresh air for New York clubs. Oh and yes, the club is equipped with the top notch Sound System.
You have lived in Berlin for years now but you’re originally from Detroit. How have those two epicenters of techno influenced you? Can you compare them?
Yes, 5 years in Berlin. Before that i lived a few years in Detroit, grew up in a small village in northern Michigan. The time in Detroit influenced me mostly by giving me an appreciation for all types of dance music and the classics, I think this is a very big part of how I play these days.
Berlin has also taught me many things, most importantly patience and putting the music [When] I am playing at a party or other situation in the perfect context, that there is really a right track for every moment to keep the party going. Getting to hear Ricardo [Villalobos], zip and these guys play for hours and hours at Club der Visionaere and places like that have also made a huge influence.
As far as comparisons go, I can't make too many really besides the fact that so much good music comes from both places. Beyond that I think that the cultural differences really separate the places in my mind.
Do you get back to Detroit often and stay in touch with your roots?
I try to as much as possible, about 3 times a year at least. Though I find it to be a much different social structure than when I was living there 5 years ago, I still find it really inspiring to visit.
Your Detroit mates (Seth Troxler and Ryan Crosson) are living in Berlin as well. Has that made it easier to keep the USA state of mind?
Oh for sure. I wouldn't be doing what I am now if it wasn't for them + Lee [Curtis]. They are the best friends that I could ever dream of. Us hanging out in Europe together is pretty rad. Many adventures. For sure we keep a lot of our USA state of mind. Drill or be drilled
You are working together with Seth Troxler on some new projects for "Raum…Musik". Can you tell us more about that collaboration?
I made one record for Raum...Musik with Seth last year. We have done some remixes together since. Nothing really serious upcoming, is really just friends making music when we have time and are feeling it. In the future I'm sure we will do more records together and also in different combinations of Seth, Ryan, Lee, and I.
You have releases on the Brooklyn based "Wolf + Lamb" Label, and you have played at their infamous after-parties at the Marcy Hotel. Can you tell us more about the connection with you and the Wolf + Lamb brand, and can we expect any new releases from you?
My connection to Zev and adi (wolf, lamb) goes back a few years. One of the first times that I came back to the states from Berlin they booked me to play one of their parties together with Matt john and miss Fitz. Seth and Lee decided to drive from Detroit so we all kinda met them (z+g) then and slowly we became a bit of a family. It became mostly us playing at their parties and now they are over in Berlin with us in the summers. They also really give us a home in NYC which is absolutely amazing for us.
I will most definitely be releasing more music with them and continue representing them as a DJ. I feel really at home and comfortable with them as they are such good friends and are musical tastes the past few years have followed a similar evolution.
Earlier this year you played at the highly acclaimed Movement Festival in Detroit. What did it mean to play at such an incredible Festival for Detroit?
It meant a lot for me to be on the lineup, was especially nice for me to be able to be able to bring my parents there. I also have been friends with the Paxahau guys for years, I really respect how they do things, super professional and smart so that also made it special for me. The real highlight of the weekend for me though was helping Ryan and Seth put on the "need I say more party" at the Old Miami. Such a crazy time. Just wait until next year ;)
photo credit: Stephen “Fuzzytek” Boyle from Littlewhiteearbuds.com
LIGHTNING ROUND
If you were a comic book character, would you be a villain or the superhero?
Superhero for sure. If I can take this a bit further I would like to say that if I could choose superpowers it would be teleportation and time travel, seems like those are the two most meaningful, just a thought.
Your latest big purchase?
A flight to Barcelona to drill and this flight that I'm sitting on because my stupid ass got stuck there.
German Chocolate Cake or Apple Pie?
Apple pie all the way
Favorite place to DJ?
Marcy Hotel, Club der Visionaere, Fabric
Vinyl, CD or traktor?
serato, some vinyl, CD's rarely
Saturday, July 25th
Immerse presents
PS1 Afterhours / Shaun Reeves Birthday Celebration
Shaun Reeves /Wolf & Lamb, Raum...Musik/
Alexi Delano /Clink, Plus 8/
Tony Rohr - Live /Clink, Dilek/
Derek Plaslaiko /Bunker, Ghostly/
Nicolas Jaar and The Shooters Club LIVE /Wolf & Lamb, Circus Company/
Todd Sines /7th City, Planet E/
Niko Wessel /Appeared out of some sort of rabbit hole/
HK Lounge
409 W 39th St
Manhattan, NY 10018
10pm till 6am
$15 before midnight/20 after with RSVP to immersenyc@gmail.com
www.myspace.com/shaun_reeves
www.hkhellskitchen.com
You have lived in Berlin for years now but you’re originally from Detroit. How have those two epicenters of techno influenced you? Can you compare them?
Yes, 5 years in Berlin. Before that i lived a few years in Detroit, grew up in a small village in northern Michigan. The time in Detroit influenced me mostly by giving me an appreciation for all types of dance music and the classics, I think this is a very big part of how I play these days.
Berlin has also taught me many things, most importantly patience and putting the music [When] I am playing at a party or other situation in the perfect context, that there is really a right track for every moment to keep the party going. Getting to hear Ricardo [Villalobos], zip and these guys play for hours and hours at Club der Visionaere and places like that have also made a huge influence.
As far as comparisons go, I can't make too many really besides the fact that so much good music comes from both places. Beyond that I think that the cultural differences really separate the places in my mind.
Do you get back to Detroit often and stay in touch with your roots?
I try to as much as possible, about 3 times a year at least. Though I find it to be a much different social structure than when I was living there 5 years ago, I still find it really inspiring to visit.
Your Detroit mates (Seth Troxler and Ryan Crosson) are living in Berlin as well. Has that made it easier to keep the USA state of mind?
Oh for sure. I wouldn't be doing what I am now if it wasn't for them + Lee [Curtis]. They are the best friends that I could ever dream of. Us hanging out in Europe together is pretty rad. Many adventures. For sure we keep a lot of our USA state of mind. Drill or be drilled
You are working together with Seth Troxler on some new projects for "Raum…Musik". Can you tell us more about that collaboration?
I made one record for Raum...Musik with Seth last year. We have done some remixes together since. Nothing really serious upcoming, is really just friends making music when we have time and are feeling it. In the future I'm sure we will do more records together and also in different combinations of Seth, Ryan, Lee, and I.
You have releases on the Brooklyn based "Wolf + Lamb" Label, and you have played at their infamous after-parties at the Marcy Hotel. Can you tell us more about the connection with you and the Wolf + Lamb brand, and can we expect any new releases from you?
My connection to Zev and adi (wolf, lamb) goes back a few years. One of the first times that I came back to the states from Berlin they booked me to play one of their parties together with Matt john and miss Fitz. Seth and Lee decided to drive from Detroit so we all kinda met them (z+g) then and slowly we became a bit of a family. It became mostly us playing at their parties and now they are over in Berlin with us in the summers. They also really give us a home in NYC which is absolutely amazing for us.
I will most definitely be releasing more music with them and continue representing them as a DJ. I feel really at home and comfortable with them as they are such good friends and are musical tastes the past few years have followed a similar evolution.
Earlier this year you played at the highly acclaimed Movement Festival in Detroit. What did it mean to play at such an incredible Festival for Detroit?
It meant a lot for me to be on the lineup, was especially nice for me to be able to be able to bring my parents there. I also have been friends with the Paxahau guys for years, I really respect how they do things, super professional and smart so that also made it special for me. The real highlight of the weekend for me though was helping Ryan and Seth put on the "need I say more party" at the Old Miami. Such a crazy time. Just wait until next year ;)
photo credit: Stephen “Fuzzytek” Boyle from Littlewhiteearbuds.com
LIGHTNING ROUND
If you were a comic book character, would you be a villain or the superhero?
Superhero for sure. If I can take this a bit further I would like to say that if I could choose superpowers it would be teleportation and time travel, seems like those are the two most meaningful, just a thought.
Your latest big purchase?
A flight to Barcelona to drill and this flight that I'm sitting on because my stupid ass got stuck there.
German Chocolate Cake or Apple Pie?
Apple pie all the way
Favorite place to DJ?
Marcy Hotel, Club der Visionaere, Fabric
Vinyl, CD or traktor?
serato, some vinyl, CD's rarely
Saturday, July 25th
Immerse presents
PS1 Afterhours / Shaun Reeves Birthday Celebration
Shaun Reeves /Wolf & Lamb, Raum...Musik/
Alexi Delano /Clink, Plus 8/
Tony Rohr - Live /Clink, Dilek/
Derek Plaslaiko /Bunker, Ghostly/
Nicolas Jaar and The Shooters Club LIVE /Wolf & Lamb, Circus Company/
Todd Sines /7th City, Planet E/
Niko Wessel /Appeared out of some sort of rabbit hole/
HK Lounge
409 W 39th St
Manhattan, NY 10018
10pm till 6am
$15 before midnight/20 after with RSVP to immersenyc@gmail.com
www.myspace.com/shaun_reeves
www.hkhellskitchen.com
