Ellen Allien Interview

 

So tell us how Ellen became Ellen Allien. Where did your name come from?

The name gave me the barkeeper of the bar where I first started to dj. He said my music sounds like the soundtrack from the first Alien movie. So then I was called Ellen Allien. A friend gave this name to me and Ellen Allien was created when I first started djing in public. I started to dj because I was a musci fanatic. I had turntables at home and a big record collection and mix tapes. The owner of the bar listened to one of my mixtapes and wanted me to mix at the bar. When I started it wasn’t about becoming famous. It was about fun. And I had to get used to being on the artist side since me family put on lot of pressure on me to get a real job.

Your from Berlin, the home of a lot great techno and techno greats. You have often described how much the city means to you and dedicated your 'Stadtkind' album to it. In your opinion what is it about that particular place to produces a magnitude of great musicians and a very predominant techno culture.

I grew up in Berlin and experienced the wall coming down. Lived the birth of techno. This music is not just music; it is socialism and my island. Of course, traveling is part of it and I love it. I will always be a traveler. It is inspiring to get to know other cultures.

Does it mean anything to you being such a successful DJ/Producer in what is predominantly a male dominated industry?

It is important to me as a woman to leave somthing behind. Great moments in the club and music that touches. My new album is called „Dust“ and comes out in the middle of May. It is about the nightlife and day life, afterhours, yoga, love and how I sometimes feel. The ups and downs in life. My label BPitch Control is a good base for myself and the other artists. Through the team you can easily make good decisions and push things. Be daring.

Are there any other female DJs/Producers that you like or would recommend.

Yes of course, Miss Fitz, Camea, Magda, Chloé, Björk, Kate Bush, Cocorosie, Heidi, Margret Dygas, Monika Kruse, Peaches etc. There are so many good female producers or djs.

You also run a very successful label, BPitch Control, is running that as much fun as DJing in a club or at a festival?

I love the intimacy of the club or to play at festivals, to move the masses. It is like an addiction. The hands of to be up in the air. Hehehe. It is important to me to fill the room with music and that the crowd is contempt when they go home. Preferrably with aching muscles. It is great to work with so much good talenet at BPitch Control. It is a lot of fun. I love the challenge of modernizing structures and to find the hottest tune. That is a nice imagination. And BPitch tries to implement it daily. And peacefully without weird, strange or aggressive traits.

What advice would you give to aspiring DJs?

Always try to find the hottest tune.

Have you had any really embarrassing moments in your career?

Yes of course, they are part of it.

Do you have a favourite club in London?

I love the team at Fabric. They are so sweet.

What are you looking forward to for 2010?

Peace love and hot tunes...lots of hot parties.

When can we next catch you playing in London?

Bloc Afterparty