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We talk to Tiefschwarz about techno albums and the German sound
House | Friday 9th October 2015 | Christina
We caught up with Ali Schwarz, one half of the tech house duo Tiefschwarz, before he and his brother play Another Party's Watergate Nacht on October 10th, to talk techno albums and the German sound.
Hi guys, how’s it going? Life treating you well?
Oh yes life is treating us well – I mean who can complain when you look around and see all the terrible things with the refugees right now.
I see from social media that you have recently been touring in South America, how has that been?
It was a beautiful little tour - Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, Panama, Mexico. Great gigs and even a few days on the beach in between.
It seems like you’ve played all over the world, is there anywhere you haven’t been yet that you really want to get to?
Yes that’s true - basically when we look at the map we have to search for the places where we haven’t been yet. Africa is still a place where we didn’t play so much - there is a little bit going on in north and South Africa but we’d love to explore more.
Do you have any pre-show rituals?
For DJ shows not really besides double-checking your music before the gig - if we play live we do the classic cheesy stage hug. We love it.
Was the plan always to make music together? Did neither one of you want a solo career or project?
Well right now we’re also doing the live show with our friend and singer Khan, so that’s kind of new for us and it’s really challenging. And we’re open and flexible to basically anything - you never know what the future brings right.
If you weren’t doing music, what would you be doing?
Painter and farmer.
Your album Left came out this summer, tell us about the inspiration behind it.
It’s the first album we did completely on our own and we got the chance get our dear friend and singer Khan on board - we met him in Mexico City two years ago and he agreed to sing on our first layouts. We were so happy with the results that we all agreed to join forces.
Is there still a place for a full LP in house/techno? The way people listen to music has changed and it seems like producers are always releasing singles or short EPs.
It’s good question. I think both is still valid - with an album you always tell more of a story and you have the chance to show more of your musical horizon as an artist. It’s a very personal decision at the and money wise an album can be also difficult these days.
Another Party is bringing Watergate Nacht to Brixton on October 10th, what can people expect from the night?
A beautiful journey into sound I hope.
Why do you think there is such an appetite for the German sound in the UK?
There definitely was a German sound for a while, especially when minimal was really strong. Right now there is a big fusion of sounds all over the world and techno is really strong again but not only for Berlin or Germany. Well I guess Berlin will always stay for techno till the end of our days.
With places like Watergate and Berghain becoming legendary and with more people travelling to Berlin to party, do you think the scene there has changed?
Not really changed, this phenomenon goes on for a long time already, it just got even bigger in the last few years.
What’s in the pipeline for Souvenir?
We’re turning 10 next year so 2016 will be an exciting year for us, starting with a compilation and a series of event throughout the year. Really looking forward to this
Vinyl or digital, which do you prefer?
Of course we love vinyl but we’re lazy these days so we play digital, sorry! Besides that there is no right or wrong as long as it is good music.
What are you listening to right now?
The new Four Tet single - absolutely brilliant
What’s your go-to track to get a crowd really going?
Steve Rachmad – ‘Out In The Open’.
If you could fill a swimming pool with anything, what would it be and why?
With love.
Who or what are you most in love with right now?
My girlfriend.
What one thing would you do to make the world a better place?
Go on the streets and take care of the ones around you - the poor, the homeless you name it. It’s all in front of our houses.
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