The Pondering Blonde

Pulse Radio Interview with Luna City Express

On the back of year which saw Luna City Express launch their artist album and generally rock dancefloors across Europe into a state with their infectious house sound, Marco Resmann; one half of LCE, stream rolls into Australia this week to give the club kids down under a bit of a techno tickle. Here he is on house and techno finally making friends, his record label, Upon You’s first album release and being nicknamed ‘the silent wizard’ –Careful, that could catch on!

Tell us a bit about your label [Upon You] with Marcus and Hawks, what is the concept behind the name and the sound vision?

Upon You is a personal platform for our own music as well as befriended producers and exiting newcomers. The idea behind the name is that we’re taking care of the music and the rest is up to the audience, the DJs and the users. “It depends upon you. Said and done.”  We started the label in February 2007 with my ‘VUT & VAT’ EP. Since then we’re releasing almost every month. Last year we released a straight digital platform, available in all important stores worldwide.

Furthermore we launched a physical sub-label called Upon You Sweet & Sour Series. You could superficially call the Upon You profile Tech-House but with every release a new nuance of ambitious and functional club sound is being absorbed. You will find some Deep House Tunes as well as Techno tunes in our label repertoire. Basically the Upon You label-sound depends always on the sound of each single artist.    

As Luna City Express, yourself and Norman have a unique and refreshingly housey sound, and your solo sets have a funky techno vibe-do you enjoy playing up a variety of sounds?

My heart never stops beating for House Music but I’ve always had a small affinity for Techno too. You can hear it in my productions and DJ sets as well. Regarding my DJ sets it depends on the club, the crowd and of course the playtime. On one hand I love to open a night with slow and deep tracks and on the other hand I really like to play funky Techno or prime time tunes. Everything inbetween is possible.

I’m always open-minded and discover new sounds. Projects like Pan-Pot or Phage & Daniel Dreier introduced me into the world of minimal techno 5 years ago. Daniel was the one who lead me (and influenced) me the most to this typical Berlin after hour sound. But when I’m playing my sets or do my productions, I never forget my roots.

Over the last 2 years, the techno/house sound has lightened up, become quite tribal, quirky and generally a lot more fun, did you know this ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ was coming?

To tell you the truth, no! But I’m glad about this development. Of course nowadays the pressure is much stronger, it seems like almost everyone is producing House tunes at the moment, even producers which had never been into House. The good aspect is that everything fuses together, the gap between Techno and House is not that big anymore. I’m feeling very comfortable with playing Techno and House in one DJ set. As Luna City Express we’re playing House Music since Norman moved to Berlin in 2000. House Music and Berlin weren’t the best couple, but we’ve had enough DJs and crowd, who were keeping House alive.

Luna City Express seems to have a lot of fun with their music; how do you and Norman come together in production? Is one of you is the creative crazy, and which one more sensible and controlled?

Working in the studio is for us like cooking a meal, also with the ambition to create maybe something new, or to break out. We collect many ingredients and put them into all our pots. To be honest, we never have a certain recipe. We both are always sharing creativity in our kitchen, which is more than essential to get a good result.

You’re almost right with your second question. One of us is crazier than the other who is more sensible and controlled. A couple of years ago we had a vocalist in the studio and this guy had called Norman the comedian and me the silent wizard. I think that statement answers your question best. Generally I’m taking care of all that technical stuff and create the base. We do the final arrangement together, which is always like a back-to-back session.

Which has been your favourite Luna City Express release?

Our album ‘Hello From Planet Earth’ on Moon Harbour!

‘Hello From Planet Earth’ your recent debut album was a great success, can you tell us about how the album came together?

Oh thanks for the compliment! The whole process started with a big listening session to figure some suitable tracks out. We took some I had originally produced for my own album and produced the rest step by step. The idea for the album was to collaborate with musicians and we invited therefore 2 vocalists, a saxophonist and a pianist. The results were very satisfying! Altogether we’ve spent less than one year on the album-production. Matthias Tanzmann was satisfied with each finished track and in the end we didn’t have to make any big compromises.

Are there any plans yet for the next album yet?

Yes we’re really motivated to do a Trip Hop / Down Beat album.

You’ve been involved with Mobilee’s Pan-Pot, how did you add to this project musically, and how has it been watching them and their sound evolve?

First of all I’ve never played a DJ set as Pan-Pot. We did the first releases together in my studio. It was similar to the Luna City Express production process. I was the head of Engineering and have always created the musically base. The project became quickly successful and Thomas and Tassilo were improving their knowledge and producing skills. I was proud to see how they get more and more DJ gigs and how they grew up musically.

Pan-Pot as well as Phage & Daniel Dreier and Luna City Express became effective at the same time. It wasn’t possible for me to keep all 3 projects on the same level. I really needed to put some projects on hold to focus on my own career, but I never even thought about giving up Luna City Express.

Do you still indulge your love of Trip Hop in production? Are you taking any inspiration from the whole dubstep invasion?

If I’ve got some time I do produce Trip Hop or Down Beats. But since I’m running my own label I barely have time for some experiences. I’m not really into that whole Dubstep thing. Even though it’s catching a growing audience. But of course I’ve noticed releases like Ricardo’s remix for Shackleton or the recent hit of Joy Orbison. Maybe I’ll grapple the whole Dubstep thing soon!

Moon Harbour is a label known for its fresh, innovative take on electronic music, what’s it like being part of developing this reputation for many years?

We’re proud to be a part of the Moon Harbour Family. Particularly as we’re using the perfect project name, which wasn’t on purpose! We’re releasing on Moon Harbour since 5 years and we know that we always sound a bit different compared to the other releases.

Tell us about Marco Resmann. As a solo artist – you seem to have a more experimental take on house, what inspires your track releases?

About the Marco Resmann releases…of course it wouldn’t make sense to make the same sound as LCE but I wouldn’t say that I have a more experimental take on house on my own productions. I still haven’t found my own ‘sound’ and sure, on one hand I’m still searching but on the other hand, honestly – I don’t want my sound to be determined.

What are you up to musically during 2010, and any other tours after Australia?

The next special project will be the first Upon You CD release. We’re planning a double CD. On the one hand we have one with exclusive tracks from our core group of artists and from a few guests, on the other hand I will do a mix CD with edits and cuts from the Upon You back stock catalogue. The Luna City Express album-remixes are coming out soon as well. Artists like Martinez, Mathias Kaden, Catz n Dogz and Reboot did some nice interpretations of some of the album-tracks. And of course I’d love to release my own LP sooner or later. That’s my biggest challenge at the moment!

I just came back from a small US tour. I played in Miami, New York and Los Angeles. 2 years ago I toured with Luna City Express trough Brazil. The feedback from there was just amazing. So I’m really up for Middle/South America tour. I’ve got already a few requests from Argentina, Columbia and also from Puerto Rico. Let’s see if it will work out…

If Luna City Express was a game, how would you play it?

Ha ha nice question. I’m not really into the recent games, except FIFA soccer. But I’ve been a big fan of the adventure games in the early 90’s like Indiana Jones or Monkey Island. I’d see Luna City Express as an adventure game. Norman and me as the protagonists, preparing the space shuttle or rather the express to the moon, arranging the crew and the party crowd, flying to the moon and building a space basis. Destination or rather the showdown is the ultimate party on the moon!

Excuse The Mess Interview with Pan-Pot

What’s all this about Pan-Pot? Has someone cooked up a crazy concoction and made a bloody mess? Well- almost! Pan-Pot is Tassilo Ippenberger and Thomas Benedix, a darkly provocative Techno duo from Berlin. The boys are signed to mobilee Records and churn out chunky Techno hotcakes by the dozen and get sound support from some of the world’s best! Ahead of their gig at Excuse The Mess in London this weekend, we pulled them aside for a little Q & A before things got too messy…

So Techno London has been up in much anticipated arms with the news of a Pan-Pot sound excursion; seems they haven’t been our side in a while! So when was their last L-town gig and how does the UK scene differ to the European circuit they frequent each weekend? ‘We last played at The End for Clandestino Party with Miss Jools last year- it was for our album tour. The sound system was amazing and the party a total freakout!’

Good to hear they got some last Ending action…  ‘Yes, we love the UK; it’s definitely time to get back for some London madness. The UK has a long and important history in Techno, as some of the European cities do, and there’s endless music to educate and challenge you as a dj. And as we’ve experienced at our gigs, there’s always some clown in front of the crowd, which is great- the crowds are always enthusiastic!’

What are their thoughts on the UK being criticised recently by European artists for not being as open-minded as it was before? ‘In general the EDM scene has been growing a lot over the past few years- so many different styles have been created and we’re facing the fact that, having such a huge variety of electronic music, it’s just natural that people get picky. As soon as you have the choice, you start deciding on a certain taste and define it. It’s not just a UK thing- it’s a Europe phenomenon too.’

Speaking of phenomenon’s- Berlin has become a hub for cutting edge electronic music, what’s it like living in this constant environment? ‘The exchange of music, thoughts and ideas is huge.  Sometimes you have to find a way to escape the party and music thing. If not you’ll get crazy…’ No doubt- so where does one go to escape the techno talk- what else is happening outside EDM in Berlin? ‘Berlin offers so many things to distract from techno- there’s lots of cultural and sporty offers… The most important is probably to have enough friends who are not involved in what you do- and we’re both lucky to have enough of them!’

Okay, Pan-Pot musically- there’s a really sexy, sinister and atmospheric sound to Pan-Pot productions- some really interesting vocals too- how does it all come together? ‘There’s no ‘usual’ way we do a track. For sure, we start with a basic loop, but we’re both involved from the beginning and always switch roles. Then it just takes between two days and two weeks of fighting till we come to a satisfying end!’

Their last EP was released on London label, True to Form in summer last year, and a bunch of hot remixes since- what’s hot and Pan-Pot still to come in 2009? ‘We recently finished the next EP for Mobilee which is a two track vinyl and two exclusive digital tracks. It gets released towards the end of July; there’s some remix work to do following that and we’re also both working on some solo stuff with friends and partners.’

So how did Pan-Pot come about- how did they find each other in Technoland and merge music ambition? ‘We met at the audio engineering school and quickly discovered that we have the same idea about techno.  Electronic music; djing and producing, was important to both of us already- the fact that we were the only Techno heads there just tightened our decision to go the Pan-Pot way.’

What about the name Pan-Pot? They described it in their biography as the technical flip-flopping of a switch, but sure they get asked ‘Which one’s Pan and which one’s Pot?’ all the time and with the lookalike imagery; is this a marketing bonus for Pan-Pot? ‘Yes we get that a lot- never thought about it as a marketing aspect, but as you say it- we’ll have to improve on it! This ‘who is pan and who is pot’ question has developed into one of the worst ones we know! Every weekend several times- and then in combination with the ‘you look like twin brothers’ statement… Thanks, NEXT!’

Pan-Pot take London by storm this Friday in a naughty little mobilee Showcase with Excuse The Mess at Alhambra Warehouse in Shoreditch. Also headlining are mobilee man, Ralf Kollmann and The Fix. The audio goods will be delivered from 10pm- you’ll want to be front and centre for this one!

Excuse The Mess presents Mobilee Showcase

Excuse The What? Yes, its’ time for a new little subversive excursion into the electronic abyss. Excuse The Mess presents another festive night of electronic debauchery in the sexy, messy, and forthcoming style you’ve become accustomed. We’ve put together a mobilee records showcase for you within the naughty walls of a fitting secret location in Shoreditch. Yep, the boys are armed with a plethora of too much minimal and techno goodness! The Pan-Pot boys take the helm with fresh L-town energy and Ralf Kollmann puts a cap in the ass of his second mess. The Moustache Mama’s take over room 2 for those of you who prefer your disco a little dirty… So bring your best friends and your worst behavior… and don’t mind us, just Excuse The Mess.

Friday night in East London has never sounded this hot! The venue this time around is Alhambra, a huge Moroccan style Warehouse on Commercial Road (3 minutes from Aldgate East). An exclusive members club during the day, Alhambra makes for the perfect summertime warehouse venue with its beautiful outdoor smoking terrace and atmospheric main room and huge sound system to boot! Doors open at 10pm, giving you enough to time to pop on a mix, shake off your working week and get scantily clad to come out and milk this balmy English summer weather for all its worth!

PAN POT
Pan-Pot are the brilliant multidimensional Berlin duo, Tassilo Ippenberger and Thomas Benedix, currently twisting house and techno fans into a rapturous frenzy! Pan-Pot have quickly become a central presence in the EDM scene, signed to mobilee records and delivering a smattering of top notch track releases. In this well timed era of divergent genres they’ve come with an intriguing sound and style- it’s all about dynamism on the dancefloor, and far from the simple switch they’re named after, Pan-Pot are renowned for sets that rope together crispy minimal, coolly restrained techno and hot and heavy house. Pan-Pot make this special London appearance with a love slap from the heart of the Berlin underground!

RALF KOLLMANN
Ralf Kollmann was the wunderkind of our last Excuse The Mess event, and so it was only right to make him our international resident and get him back again! The main man of mobilee, Ralf keeps his ear to the ground and knows Berlin’s underground electronic dirt like the back of his hand. He indulges a penchant for resonant deep house and mixes it up with the occasional driving curveball in suave style. He’s been dipping deep into electronic music since the beginning of the 90’s and those iconic roots are audible in his sets today as he rubs the freshest unreleased sounds from his mobilee and leena labels, with stone cold classics. It’s cheeky to say the least and downright hedonistic to say just a little bit more…

THE FIX
The Fix are a duo making devilishly sinister sound waves on the clubbing circuit, not least because of their interesting live performance- something you really want to see live to get the real Fix experience! The underground act and their label project, Yeah:No Recordings are fast earning electronic music world love. Their single ‘The Fire Inside’ got 3 successive thumbs up on Pete Tongs Radio1 Essential Selection after its release it February and was swiftly followed by a moody remix of Lopazz’s single ‘Credit Card Receipt’, released on Get Physical Music. The likes of Audiofly, Livio and Roby and Thomas Schumacher have headlined their own event night, Cadence at The Lightbox in Vauxhall, London.

NICK MALEEDY
Nick Maleedy knows good music. Having weaned an instinctive ear on a diet of dark and dubby progressive house, he’s developed a moody and intelligent soundscape. Nick’s refined beats and unassuming manner has piqued the interest of the underground clubbing community and seen Nick guest for top London event nights, as well as earn his White Isle stripes with gigs at Es Paradis and Savannah last year. Nick has had the pleasure of mixing alongside some of the finest including Matthew Styles, Giles Smith, Colin Dale and Spencer Parker, and plays regular LIVE guest sets on the capitals House FM.

MOUSTACHE MAMA’S PRESENT LOOSE
The Moustache Mama’s have been shaking things loose cross-country with their furry lips and wild disco fever. The blonde duo present a festive smash of dirty funk and disco laced with pop classics. They’ll be dominating Room 2 with their Bearded Brothers Paul Crognale and Cred for another kind of music madness in keeping with the messy mayhem!