Johannes Albert

Interview

Hi Johannes, Thanks for taking the time out to do an interview

Thanks for getting in touch!

How is life treating you at the moment?

Well, I’m good thanks! I got the best job ever since I’m working with friends and we have a real good time in the office in super-hip (or not-so-hip) Berlin-Mitte.On the music-side of things I’m looking forward to some new “frank” projects as well and so – life’s good. The only thing that worries me is a cold that won’t go away for weeks now. Maybe I should try something different, like inhaling ginger dust?

Haha now you were brought up in LowerFranconia in the south of Germany which isn’t exactly the music capital of the world, what kind of influences did you have from growing up which took you down the musical route?

I had to go through some piano lessons which I didn’t like in the first place when I was a kid. Now I’m greatful for that (thanks mum + dad!) cause I know at least a little how to play d-minor chords on a piano. Music has been a part of my life ever since, my mum still sings in a choir and so music was just there. But it wasn’t like I had a special taste in music before the mid 90s, it was more like that radio station “Bayern 3” which we were always listening to in the car. I even started taping the “hits of the week” show but, you know, it was more or less crappy 90s pop music. But I loved to do something with that, I was interested in doing some radio-music-whatever stuff. Back in 97 there was this record shop in my little hometown called “Swing King”. This is the place where like that house stuff started. The tough guys there gave me house records for a great bargain and they even showed how to mix records properly. It was like my weekly or even daily destination after school. It was a whole new world to me. Unfortunately they had to close only a year later, but that’s the way it is. Later on I often went to club „airport” in Würzburg, which was THE club in my region at that time. They always had a great resident djlike Ralf GUM back then and this is def the place where I was influenced heavily….

Which artists inspired your music?

No secrets here, when it comes to DJing, nearly every kind of house music touched me in a way.It’s impossible to narrow it down right now, the list of records I love will take forever! But if you want namedroppingI think Boris Dlugoschfrom Hamburg was the dj that touched me most. Especially his way of doubling records, mixing acapellas over the top and stuff. His radio show “n-joy the mix” was legendary, at least for me living in Main-Spessart at that time. To be honest, I didn’t hear a dj who reached that level yet. Some came close, but …. Boris, I miss you playing house! On the producer side I never got away from the Masters At Work. I have a very romantic view of NYC in the 90s. I know it’s long gone but this was the time when I got into house music the first time and when I listen to some Kenlou beats like “What a sensation” I will still cry.
When I’m working on my own stuff I always try to do something different to the music I did before, ‘cause I’m bored easily. I mean there is so much good and different house music around, why stick to one subgenre? House can be disco, can be techno, can be even reggae, breakbeat or pop music. But I have to admit, there was some big inspiration (in terms of musicians!) over the last years that I have to mention here. Before I did that piano thing “People Say” (out on WHITE Records last year) I went to a club night in Darmstadt in 2009 where ArtoMwambé from Frankfurt were playing live. They played heavy piano riffs and I had so much fun. The week after I was sitting at home, messin’ around with my piano – so finally “People Say” was made. Another one, when I did that “Rough Rough Raw” (out on Frank Music earlier this year) tune I surely had some Levon Vincent in my mind. I don’t own every record he did, I didn’t even go to see him live so far, but I just like thisidea of sound. You will probably blame me for not being creative and just copy the current big thing, I know… haha. But wait, we will reinvent the disco-edit next year. Twice!

What do you think you would be doing if it wasn’t for your musical abilities?

Classic! Since I already have a job in online marketing I’d probably do dog breeding or just go fishing.
What is your favourite tune of 2011?
It’s Todd Terje – Ragysh. I know it’s kind of a hit and some of you are most probably sick of hearing it again and again but it’s such an outstanding trance record! I’m a fan of that Norway guy Todd ever since I ran across his “Eurodans” (still hot, by the way) and his high-quality remixes and edits. And this tune is off the hook. “Ragysh” got this simple-as-hell (or not-so-simple) beat plus some trancy chords and when the break is due it’s just impossible to escape! Plus I got the most value out of it since there is bubble space-noises on the record, some bonus beats that slows the tempo and brings it back and last but least another superb tune called “Snooze for love”. When I got to know house music, there was always some hit around. It was these songs that got this melody for everyone. I mean like Pete Heller’s “Big Love” or even Stardust’s “Music sounds better with you”. This is what I miss nowadays (for real!), some hit every now and then that is just played by everyone, no matter which subgenre of house you belong. It’s just good for the crowd I think. Maybe some more djs should think about bordercrossing again. Forget about the nerd and play that hit! Anyways, thanks Todd Terje for doing such a hit again this year. And thanks GerdJanson for making it happen, but that’s another story. Oh, Todd already made THE record for 2012 as well. It’s called “Inspector Norse”.

Vinyl, CD or Laptop?

Bagpipes only! No, I use vinyl and cds, it’s just the way it always worked best form.

Do you have a record in your collection you would be embarrassed to tell us about?D

Haha … there is this backstreet boys double-twelve I bought back then. In the first place I got it because of the David Morales remix but in the end I found myself listening to the original. Of course it sucks, but you know… it remembers me of great times in my life, there is some connection to it. That’s actually the reason I’m still into this old-fashioned thing called vinyl. Every record has a story to tell. Some more, some less but at least they have something to tell. If I go to one of my expedits right now and grab a random one I’m sure I can tell you something about that. Maybe it was that trip to Barcelona in ’03 or that repress of some Mood II Swing record I got in Hamburg at this very selected store called Underground Solution or maybe it’s just some internet buy-off, but then I listen to the music and I will come to think about…. “yeah that’s what joseph baker dropped at the U60311 club” and I was 17 and madly in love (or lovesick?). Thats what I’m talkin about – stories.

Is there a moment at a party which stands out for you the most?

Well there was some good nights this year. One of the best nights I had in my hometown where I played with my great friend Julian “Juuulz” all night long. It’s a rather small town and good nights are rare. But it was some special occasion in a garden in summer and we had a blast! Smiling faces all over and even the police guys were nice when they were coming to tell us that some people living 4 kilometers away want to kick our asses for being too loud. Another one was some night in Dresden. I played like an unreleased tune by myself and they went mad. This is something I never dreamt about… like doing some own music and playing that shit in front of 350 people going crazy. In german I rather say “AufschwungOst”, which means like “The East is rising high”.

What is your get out of jail record… i.e. you turn up to a gig and it isn’t going your way, which is the one track you would play guaranteed to get that party started?

I guess I will play any Soundstream track. They kick ass(es)!

Any future projects lined up?

Did a couple of remixes that should be out very soon, besides I’m working on new music with my good friend Moritz aka Monosoul who did the latest Frank Music. Will be some sort of a slight acid affair! Next Release on my label is also on the way. It’s made by Edit Piafra& Iron Curtis under their AchterbahnD’Amour moniker and it’s A-C-E. Another full disco-house EP by myself should be out early spring. Maybe it turns out to be a little mini-album, we’ll see.

Where can we catch you playing in the net coming weeks!

It’s more or less focused on Berlin right now, I’ll be playing this Saturday at a club called “Wilde Renate” and next year there will be a big Frank Music night in February. We’ll touch down at the “about blank” which is my favorite club in town. All Frank artists will perform there, plus some special guest. Really looking forward!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great Christmas!

Thanks guys for having me. All the best for next year and have a good one too!