Page 20 - Zone Magazine Issue 010

feature interview - germany
Nothing new in the west? Of course there is news, especially in the underground of Germany. A lot of artists try to develop the scene and bring it all to new dimensions.
Creativity and new ideas form where the mainstream does'nt notice it and there are people upcoming that will be noticed for sure.
One of those upcoming artists is Kai Pattenberg from Germany. Being in the electronic scene since years he is one of the artists who surprise their audience every now and then with powerful deep and dark Techno sounds and new creations and experiments no one really expects. Its always a special sound, special mood which inspires and brings people to the dancefloors and fall into ecstasy.
You have been in the scene for years now. How did this all start?
It began in 1992. A friend of mine was working in a club where I used to be nearly every weekend and some day e took me to a recordstore where he used to buy his stuff. One thing lead to another, I´ve bought my first records, bought some turntables and made my first steps in Djing. So it all started with vinyl because in those days there was nearly no alternative...
And how did you start producing?
Nearly the same way through some friends who were already active in producing. They showed me the basics. It ´s a fact that you cannot be really successful without producing your own stuff.
Then some day I meet my actual label boss who supports me since then.
What are your favorite producing tools?
I only work with ableton and samples and some effects.
Whats your favorite Djing equipment?
In the past it was vinyl of course but nowadays I´m working with DJ Controller because it´s much easier to transport it to gigs. If you have to play a 4 hour set you have to carry 2 huge bags of records and when you travel by train this is nearly impossible. That´s why I guess that working with controller is the much easier way.
What have you been influenced
by in your career? Did you have any idols?
Mainly it was the music itself not really special artists. It was always the genres that influenced me. I´ve made every style of Techno, from Trance over Hardcore, House, Techhouse, Schranz, everything that ever has been in this kind of electronic music. Everything that was new has inspired me in my own things and brought me to new levels.
Did you have any support in your career?
Well there was kind of support in the beginning from some online radio stations where I could play my sound on a regular basis. Then later when I´ve meet my actual label boss I´ve got massive support by him and all this together helped me a lot to get were I am today.
What was your best or worst experience at a gig?
The best one was for sure a gig where I played in front of about 6000 people. This gives you a massive push when you have got such a huge crowd in front of you.
The worst one was a gig somewhere in the countryside on a 1€-party. The people where all drinking very very much and some of them touch your equipment again and again. There is a certain point when you get sick of it...
Has there been a special funny moment?
Not a special one. There are always some crazy people gesturing like mad and doing funny things. That´s party.
What would you tell someone who wants to start Djing?
I would suggest that he also starts with producing. Djing alone is not enough to earn success today. When you are only Djing it will be nearly impossible to get gigs in a club. Maybe you know somebody who will bring you into a club but normally you need to be producer too. What is also important is that you spread your sound through online radios or podcasts. That really helps you in building your fan base.
What do you think of the development in DJ sector?
Well, I think there are way too many Djs. This huge amount of people that think they are DJ just because they can
operate a laptop and play some tracks are ruining the scene. There is simply too much quantity and not enough quality. DJ Controllers are one big issue. I mean, when someone has got a controller and really knows how to use it and get the audience dancing, it´s ok. But there are also many who don´t and that´s a no-go. It´s quite a difficult subject.
What do you guess, where will the music scene in general go? Im thinking of Beatport and soundcloud and so on.
Well, everyone of them tries to make money. The more the better. The scene is suffering under this. I hope it would not get worse but I think it has to get before it gets better. Some of them crash, some just vanish.
Is there any special gig you want to play at?
Nothing special. I want to playi.e. On ship-partys and open-airs. I already had some open air parties and it was always a lot of fun there. I always prefer the smaller venues. International gigs will be ok too but I don`t prefer .
What is upcomming from you?
It will continue the way it is. My album release on Hardwandler Records will be in June with 9 new tracks and a collaboration with EXS. Then the one or the other EP will definitely come out till the end of this year and then there are some newcomers that will be presented on our label
Where will we see you playing next?
I will be playing at least every second week somewhere in Germany. My schedule is quite good filled. You just have to watch out for infos on that.
Connect:
https://www.facebook.com/
KaiPattenbergOfficial
Words By H.Meyer
Pic By Kai Pattenberg
20 ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE