Jonty Skrufff, DJ/ producer, music journalist, radio show presenter, curator for Rio Music Conference and a brand consultant for Pioneer DJ. He is also a resident DJ at Sisyphos, Berlin.
Life: when was the moment you figured out that Dance Music was meant to you?
I fully committed to dance music in the early 90s when I met British underground rave revolutionaries Spiral Tribe and was inspired to quit a dreadfully boring straight job (working for the Sunday Times) and devote myself to music- and making a living at it, one way or another. One of those key life turning points that has been rewarded beyond my wildest imagination. Being bold was (and is) the key.
Laugh: when was the last time you had real fun?
This last (long) weekend: kicking off with me opening Sisyphos’ new Hammahalle with a 4 hour set for the first party of the 2016 season, followed by full on partying/ clubbing/ eating with a bunch of friends from London that involved Berghain, wienerschnitzel, wine, vodka, a return to Sisyphos to catch Fidelity Kastrow spinning, finished by me spinning a final set last night at Kater Blau (Monday evening- Kiosk). DJing.
Love: name the one thing you love more than anything – and why is that?
What I love the most is being in the moment: what I mean by that are those magical moments when you feel at one with your location, actions and feelings- an almost magical sense of awareness, understanding calm and happiness.
I find these moments sometimes when I’m playing a great gig (such as DJing on top of the Sisyphos truck at Zug Der Liebe playing techno to thousands of Berliners) or dancing somewhere special (sisyphos, kater Blau, Berghain sometimes and/ or numerous beaches round the world)to great music surrounded by great company (even if I don’t necessarily know the people I’m surrounded by).
Or like last year in Rio during the Rio Music Conference when I had my happiest business meeting ever, brainstorming ideas in-between jumping huge waves on Copacabana. then later at the Carnival block party where we had a blast drinking cocktails interrupted with people screaming ‘hey Supla’ every three or four metres.
Magical moments and equally fine memories- for me, what life is all about- experiences and adventures.
Past: name a significant moment in your career in Dance Music – and why is that?
My entire dance music career can be broken down into a few significant moments: meeting London acid techno rave crew Spiral Tribe who gave me the self-belief to devote my life to music, taking up DJing, moving to Berlin. Quitting various job/ clients that were no longer enjoyable or productive . . . Each involved leaps of faith with more than a little risk involved and each has been rewarded ten times over.
Present: what do you think that is trending today in music, clubs and festivals?
EDM is in major, near terminal decline in the States, I believe it’s inevitable this will rapidly infect the whole world’s EDM scene. Berlin remains THE global capital of underground club culture, as well as art and creative culture and this trend will continue.
Having said that, all club cultures ebb and flow and house and techno will certainly dip underground again in a year or two as the mainstream media- as ever moves on. I remain overall very optimistic. Those who are living in club culture as a lifestyle- ie because they love it, will thrive.
Future: where is industry heading in the years to come?
Globalisation will continue. Technology too will continue to revolutionise everything. That’s assuming we don’t have serious global chaos (and World War 3) – fingers crossed!
segunda-feira, 28 de março de 2016
segunda-feira, 21 de março de 2016
Katy Ellis @ Dance Music 101
Katy Ellis is with Anglo Management, UK.
- Life: when was the moment you figured out that Dance Music was meant to you?
That’s easy, I was 17 and a gang of us went to a weekender in Wales and I heard Kariya Baby Let Me Love You For Tonight,
I knew I was about to be a part of something special and that everyone on that dance floor was my friend and we were all in on to something that was going to change our lives.
- Laugh: when was the last time you had real fun?
I have a lot of fun, yesterday, with my friends having sunday lunch, we laughed a lot. If we’re talking about going out raving then I had a lot of fun at Seth Troxlers party at Tobacco Dock, Harvey playing in the car park was amazing, the car park is one of the best rave rooms in London.
- Love: name the one thing you love more than anything – and why is that?
I love so many things, my friends and family though it has to be… My job comes very, very close though!
- Past: name a significant moment in your career in Dance Music – and why is that?
Crikey, there have been so many, right now we are very proud to have Pete Tong sell out the 02 in London with his Ibiza Classics Orchestra show, that is real moment for Team Tong, I went surfing in Cornwall with Norman Cook & team Southern Fried Records to celebrate Elton John’s “Are You Ready For Love" going to No. 1 in the UK charts. Fatboy Slim at the Amex Stadium in Brighton, the great time we had with Armand Van Helden, scoring hits. Being on the team for Moby’s album “play” my mum and dad have got the triple platinum disc on their toilet wall. These moments all contribute to the deeper understanding of how our wonderfully crazy world works.
- Present: what do you think that is trending today in music, clubs and festivals?
I think that the time is coming for a more disco sound with added vocals, we have been a few years in the trenches of deep house, people will need a change.
- Future: where is industry heading in the years to come?
For even more change, it’s all one big experiment, the landscape is unclear, it would be amazing if services and content providers could solve rights issues so that we had the ultimate worldwide dance music platform that delivered streaming, downloads, broadcast and social.
- Life: when was the moment you figured out that Dance Music was meant to you?
That’s easy, I was 17 and a gang of us went to a weekender in Wales and I heard Kariya Baby Let Me Love You For Tonight,
I knew I was about to be a part of something special and that everyone on that dance floor was my friend and we were all in on to something that was going to change our lives.
- Laugh: when was the last time you had real fun?
I have a lot of fun, yesterday, with my friends having sunday lunch, we laughed a lot. If we’re talking about going out raving then I had a lot of fun at Seth Troxlers party at Tobacco Dock, Harvey playing in the car park was amazing, the car park is one of the best rave rooms in London.
- Love: name the one thing you love more than anything – and why is that?
I love so many things, my friends and family though it has to be… My job comes very, very close though!
- Past: name a significant moment in your career in Dance Music – and why is that?
Crikey, there have been so many, right now we are very proud to have Pete Tong sell out the 02 in London with his Ibiza Classics Orchestra show, that is real moment for Team Tong, I went surfing in Cornwall with Norman Cook & team Southern Fried Records to celebrate Elton John’s “Are You Ready For Love" going to No. 1 in the UK charts. Fatboy Slim at the Amex Stadium in Brighton, the great time we had with Armand Van Helden, scoring hits. Being on the team for Moby’s album “play” my mum and dad have got the triple platinum disc on their toilet wall. These moments all contribute to the deeper understanding of how our wonderfully crazy world works.
- Present: what do you think that is trending today in music, clubs and festivals?
I think that the time is coming for a more disco sound with added vocals, we have been a few years in the trenches of deep house, people will need a change.
- Future: where is industry heading in the years to come?
For even more change, it’s all one big experiment, the landscape is unclear, it would be amazing if services and content providers could solve rights issues so that we had the ultimate worldwide dance music platform that delivered streaming, downloads, broadcast and social.
segunda-feira, 14 de março de 2016
Tommy Vaudecrane @ Dance Music 101
Tommy Vaudecrane is the President of Technopol (Paris Electronic Week & Paris Techno Parade)
Life: when was the moment you figured out that Dance Music was meant to you?
This was in the early 90’s. I listened to a mix tape of hard electronic dance music and I knew this was for me. It was then confirmed a few weeks later by the first rave I attended to in the summer of 1992. Since then, my life is dedicated to electronic music.
Laugh: when was the last time you had real fun?
Last week-end when I played in an underground electronic music event. I just love sharing nice moments, playing in front of a hysterical crowd. This is some of the best fun I have on a regular basis.
Love: name the one thing you love more than anything – and why is that?
My wife, Sophie, she supports me since 14 years in my professional electronic music adventure. We work together, have fun together, solve problems and I would probably not be where I am now without her.
Past: name a significant moment in your career in Dance Music – and why is that?
Two significant moments actually:
Artistic: 1997, with the creation of my group BudBurNerZ, with who we produced 6 albums, 19 EP’s and played in some of the best hard electronic music stages and events.
Politic: In 2001 when I joined the board of Technopol association. This was my first commitment for the scene, entering the political lobby and business part of things, and trying to make the scene better for all the players and the future generations of artists, labels, promoters, etc.
Present: what do you think that is trending today in music, clubs and festivals?
Diversity! We see more and more “niche” styles entering big festivals and events. The spirit of electronic music lives in diversity. Tomorrowland 2016 hosting a Hardcore stage for the first time; this is the diversity of electronic music! France is seeing techno music as one of the biggest genres of the last 5 years and EDM did not cross our borders yet. The transformation of the French scene is one of the most interesting and promising.
Future: where is industry heading in the years to come?
Bigger, better, stronger! Even if the business has been around for more than 20 years, we are seeing an explosion of electronic music in the world and the tidal wave is getting bigger and bigger. Future should enable artists to live from their passion, not depend on charts, youtube plays and facebook fans. Creating a strong and sustainable ecosystem where art and creation are the key word and not only profit and image.
The future is in the hands of next generations, they will decide how they want to shape the electronic music market!
Life: when was the moment you figured out that Dance Music was meant to you?
This was in the early 90’s. I listened to a mix tape of hard electronic dance music and I knew this was for me. It was then confirmed a few weeks later by the first rave I attended to in the summer of 1992. Since then, my life is dedicated to electronic music.
Laugh: when was the last time you had real fun?
Last week-end when I played in an underground electronic music event. I just love sharing nice moments, playing in front of a hysterical crowd. This is some of the best fun I have on a regular basis.
Love: name the one thing you love more than anything – and why is that?
My wife, Sophie, she supports me since 14 years in my professional electronic music adventure. We work together, have fun together, solve problems and I would probably not be where I am now without her.
Past: name a significant moment in your career in Dance Music – and why is that?
Two significant moments actually:
Artistic: 1997, with the creation of my group BudBurNerZ, with who we produced 6 albums, 19 EP’s and played in some of the best hard electronic music stages and events.
Politic: In 2001 when I joined the board of Technopol association. This was my first commitment for the scene, entering the political lobby and business part of things, and trying to make the scene better for all the players and the future generations of artists, labels, promoters, etc.
Present: what do you think that is trending today in music, clubs and festivals?
Diversity! We see more and more “niche” styles entering big festivals and events. The spirit of electronic music lives in diversity. Tomorrowland 2016 hosting a Hardcore stage for the first time; this is the diversity of electronic music! France is seeing techno music as one of the biggest genres of the last 5 years and EDM did not cross our borders yet. The transformation of the French scene is one of the most interesting and promising.
Future: where is industry heading in the years to come?
Bigger, better, stronger! Even if the business has been around for more than 20 years, we are seeing an explosion of electronic music in the world and the tidal wave is getting bigger and bigger. Future should enable artists to live from their passion, not depend on charts, youtube plays and facebook fans. Creating a strong and sustainable ecosystem where art and creation are the key word and not only profit and image.
The future is in the hands of next generations, they will decide how they want to shape the electronic music market!
segunda-feira, 7 de março de 2016
Maria Kramer @ Dance Music 101
Maria Kramer is with Sony Music Entertainment as Product Manager Dance
Life: when was the moment you figured out that Dance Music was meant to you?
When I was 13 (three-fourths). We had a youth club in my hometown where all different cliques came together after work or school to hangout. This building was huge and had a hall, which was made for throwing parties. I was actually not allowed to go there (minimum age was 14) but the club head was a punker and he was friend with my mom, so he faked my member sheet. One day they threw a rave with some famous DJs and when I entered the club that night, I got literally blown away by the music and atmosphere. In that moment I knew, that Techno was meant for me.
Laugh: when was the last time you had real fun?
Oh that’s easy. I laugh everyday. But if I have to name a specific moment I would say, my ByeByeBerlin Party last September. As I had to move from Berlin to Munich after 11 years, to start my new Job at Sony. So I called my closest friends and we all went to party at About Blank on Sunday noon. It was special cause I never had them all together at once and didn’t see some of them for a long time. Long story short, after a few hours dancing I got kicked out of the club by a bouncer and that was the first time ever I got kicked out. I swear. Plus it’s not really easy for me to be kicked out of a club in Berlin. One of my friends got back inside and informed my crew and everybody came out immediatly and we were laughing tears on the street and went to another club where we stayed for another 10hrs with uncountable moments of fun. For me, that was a special day/night last year. To be kicked out of club was the missing thing on my Berlin list and I could leave this town with a huge smile and so many close friends.
Love: name the one thing you love more than anything – and why is that?
My family – cause’ it’s my family J you only have one and I’m proud and grateful to have them. (Oh! And the Internet, of course! ;) )
Past: name a significant moment in your career in Dance Music – and why is that?
That’s pretty tough for me. I had a few significant moments recently. But if I have to name one which was significant in my dance music career, it is defo that moment when I met my (now ex-) Warner colleague Julia Labonte. She opened the door to the major business for me and we were such a great dance team. All other achievements like awards, breaking artists, speaking on conferences at the other end of the world to name a few, are based on that moment.
My move to Berlin back in the days was defo significant for my electronic music career, too.
Present: what do you think that is trending today in music, clubs and festivals?
Music wise I’d say, that Future/Melodic House is dead but the mass of tracks and artists trying to copy this style is unbelievable high. Everybody in the biz wants to know what’s next but nobody takes a risk and just try new stuff. Personally, I think only the artists who are brave enough to try new styles or just mix styles with quality will have a chance in the future.
Festival wise I’d say the trend goes in 2 directions. One direction goes to more and more huge mainstream festivals with a mix of EDM, POP, R’n’B crossover Acts for the mass. The other directions goes to small, boutique festivals with a dedicated music programming for music lovers and nerds. The middle is dying.
Club wise, I hope that I’m wrong cause’ the trend I see is that clubs are closing everywhere.
Future: where is industry heading in the years to come?
Digital is the key word. I mean, more digital. I’m a digital native and a whole generation came after me but the industry is still at the beginning.
Also, I hope that the industry is heading back to quality in matters of music productions and events instead of quantity like nowadays.
Life: when was the moment you figured out that Dance Music was meant to you?
When I was 13 (three-fourths). We had a youth club in my hometown where all different cliques came together after work or school to hangout. This building was huge and had a hall, which was made for throwing parties. I was actually not allowed to go there (minimum age was 14) but the club head was a punker and he was friend with my mom, so he faked my member sheet. One day they threw a rave with some famous DJs and when I entered the club that night, I got literally blown away by the music and atmosphere. In that moment I knew, that Techno was meant for me.
Laugh: when was the last time you had real fun?
Oh that’s easy. I laugh everyday. But if I have to name a specific moment I would say, my ByeByeBerlin Party last September. As I had to move from Berlin to Munich after 11 years, to start my new Job at Sony. So I called my closest friends and we all went to party at About Blank on Sunday noon. It was special cause I never had them all together at once and didn’t see some of them for a long time. Long story short, after a few hours dancing I got kicked out of the club by a bouncer and that was the first time ever I got kicked out. I swear. Plus it’s not really easy for me to be kicked out of a club in Berlin. One of my friends got back inside and informed my crew and everybody came out immediatly and we were laughing tears on the street and went to another club where we stayed for another 10hrs with uncountable moments of fun. For me, that was a special day/night last year. To be kicked out of club was the missing thing on my Berlin list and I could leave this town with a huge smile and so many close friends.
Love: name the one thing you love more than anything – and why is that?
My family – cause’ it’s my family J you only have one and I’m proud and grateful to have them. (Oh! And the Internet, of course! ;) )
Past: name a significant moment in your career in Dance Music – and why is that?
That’s pretty tough for me. I had a few significant moments recently. But if I have to name one which was significant in my dance music career, it is defo that moment when I met my (now ex-) Warner colleague Julia Labonte. She opened the door to the major business for me and we were such a great dance team. All other achievements like awards, breaking artists, speaking on conferences at the other end of the world to name a few, are based on that moment.
My move to Berlin back in the days was defo significant for my electronic music career, too.
Present: what do you think that is trending today in music, clubs and festivals?
Music wise I’d say, that Future/Melodic House is dead but the mass of tracks and artists trying to copy this style is unbelievable high. Everybody in the biz wants to know what’s next but nobody takes a risk and just try new stuff. Personally, I think only the artists who are brave enough to try new styles or just mix styles with quality will have a chance in the future.
Festival wise I’d say the trend goes in 2 directions. One direction goes to more and more huge mainstream festivals with a mix of EDM, POP, R’n’B crossover Acts for the mass. The other directions goes to small, boutique festivals with a dedicated music programming for music lovers and nerds. The middle is dying.
Club wise, I hope that I’m wrong cause’ the trend I see is that clubs are closing everywhere.
Future: where is industry heading in the years to come?
Digital is the key word. I mean, more digital. I’m a digital native and a whole generation came after me but the industry is still at the beginning.
Also, I hope that the industry is heading back to quality in matters of music productions and events instead of quantity like nowadays.
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