It doesn’t hurt either that he’s an affable and approachable German who is happy to talk music forever. So in the spirit of covering all bases, let’s back pedal for a moment as he gives us the lowdown on his apprenticeship: “I started like a lot of people these days as a bedroom producer – I was buying drum machines and I slowly got into the process of producing and the production process. I was playing around for many years and collecting and all that stuff.”
Indeed, he admits that it was quite late when he decided that he wanted to release records. But that didn’t stop him from pursuing a dream. “That was maybe seven years ago when I was hanging out with two of my friends and we released my first record on a label that did quite well in Germany. That’s how I got into it more and more; then I did a remix for the Junior Boys from Canada and we got in touch on the internet and that did really well too – so it was a good way to move away and leave my day job!”
And of course since, he hasn’t looked back. Nor is he interested in being drawn into a discussion about the relative merits of genres and styles – or as he terms it ‘fashion trends’. “I don’t know about genres – for me it wasn’t a big problem. Germany is known for straight electronic music but I always had a soft spot for disco and things like that. I never felt like I was an alien though! In Hamburg, we have a lot of clubs that specialise in rock for example. Even in Berlin, there are a lot of disco and general clubs so it has expanded a lot. I don’t go out to a gig to play something in particular. You take the vibe from the dance floor and you tailor your music accordingly.”
“Of course I have spent a lot of time thinking about my music and which direction I am wanting to go. I really think about my style and direction a lot; I have a tropical vibe sometimes, as the weather here can be pretty bad. For me, it’s just about enjoying travel, other clubs and bands and tracks; life in general is my inspiration even though that sounds a little bit cliché; you can very easily play a song or write a track from a mood that you’re in or something you’ve seen that day – that kind of thing.”
Studio wise, the lad claims he released Something About You recently, which came out on his label; and another remix for a group he’ll be touring with in Australia in September. “I’m also working on a few other remixes and things. There is always something happening! I just wish I had the time to do the gig in Australia and get back to Germany and lock myself in the studio and concentrate on an album.”
“Probably things won’t happen like that but I would like to do something with vocalists and singers and move away from the pure club sound and do something a bit more radio pop or something! Even the last two remixes I did recently highlight that. I see it as an opportunity to have a fresh start and experiment with different ideas. I’ve been touring for almost two years so I feel a bit detached at the moment; when you’re at home you’re in a certain mind set and when you tour, it’s totally different again. This is why I say the inspiration is great because you are always in different frames of mind. And that helps by keeping you fresh and excited about the future.”
Finally, Tensnake is on his way down under for a series of dates for the Parklife festival. “What can I say, I’m really looking forward to getting to Australia. I can’t wait to spend some time in the sunshine and see all the happy smiling people. I’ve spent some time choosing the records I want to bring and have decided to basically play with a bag full of my own tracks; it will be a hybrid of my own material but also the producers I like so it will be a sunny, clubby set! I look forward to seeing you pretty soon!”
BY REZO
