The boy from the Black Forest should need no introduction for the Sub Club’s cognoscenti. Producer, DJ and Kompakt label Ubermensch, Michael Mayer continues to tower over Germany’s musical landscape and reach beyond its borders and boundaries. This Saturday the 30th of November is an essential Subculture to make a date with.
Michael Mayer and his Kompanions have contributed more than any other to Germany’s takeover of electronic dance music over the last decade. As a true Superstar Dj in every sense of the word, it’s no surprise that he has played the club before both for Optimo and for Sensu with his last visit to the Sub Club back in February for an exclusive four hour Sensu set. Firmly in party mode from the moment his first record dropped, Michael took control of the room instantly and went on to deliver a masterclass in Bundesliga underground house music, working the famous Subbie soundsystem expertly throughout.
Harri & Domenic and all at Subbie HQ are excited about his return to the club and in particular his inaugural appearance as part of the Subculture family.
Ahead of Saturday’s dance we managed to catch up with the man himself talking 20 years of Kompakt, style & fashion, Berlin, A & R, and Boiler Room business:
We noticed you recently posted some of your favourite tunes on your artist Facebook page.
We imagine you have a few big retrospective tunes which have shaped or been iconic to your musical career. Can you please share some of these with us…
D Train – Music
This was my very first 12″. I won it at a raffle for handicapped children in 1983. A bit of a life-changer this one…
Raize – Jack The Groove
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wstksdQFMkI
This was my first house record. I never bought it… it came to me as a wrong delivery. Another very lucky coincidence!
Do Piano – Again
Super awesome Italo Disco song… DJs Pareja played it to me just last week. It was such a beautiful shock to hear this again after so many years. I still remember dancing to this amidst laser beams when I was a kid.
Some of the Sub Club crew were at the 20 years beach party at Sonar back in June, that was pretty special! Since reaching 20 years of Kompakt, what else have you and the label done to celebrate?
The whole year was stuffed with activities revolving around our anniversary. The first and my favourite was our birthday party in our record store in Cologne. We’ve had roundabout 600 people there, lots of old friends and comrades-in-arms from the past 20 years. The level of emotion was only topped by the overall beer consumption. Apart from that we had big events in Berlin, London, Amsterdam, lots of festival stage takeovers and so on. All in all, it was a fantastic year. But I’m happy that it’s almost over… I’m so tired of talking about the past.
Has there been any particular highlights in terms of parties and memorable moments from the past 20 years?
I can’t remember anything. You can have parties or memorable moments…. but no memorable parties.
(Electronic Beats presents 20 years of Kompakt at Sonar Mac Arena Mar Beach)
(Pop Up Record Store – ADE)
From a label perspective, how much are you still involved in the A & R at Kompakt?
Totally! 100%. Wolfgang is still curating the Pop Ambient series. I’m responsible for everything else.
Subculture will also be celebrating it’s 20th year in 2014. What’s next for you and whats lined up for the next 20 years ;)?
Looks like 2014 is going to be another busy year here at Kompakt. We’ve got new albums lined up by Gui Boratto, GusGus, Triola, a new project by Marcus Worgull and Motor City Drum Ensemble and lots more…
Do you have any tips for any young and upcoming producers, labels, djs, and promoters etc. about how to succeed in the industry and how to remain at the top of your game for more than two decades?
Like Digital Underground once said: Doowutchyalike...Stay true to your ideals.
You recently picked up a Musikexpress Style Award, is fashion and style something which you are interested in outside of music?
I wouldn’t call myself a fashionista. But I like young designers like Thom Krom, Sopopular or Hannibal.
What other weird and wonderful things have you found yourself involved in, as part of “it comes with the job territory?”
Running a company like Kompakt involves so much bureaucracy… it’s insane. Luckily, we’ve got a kick ass team that keeps most of that stuff away from me. But sometimes this administrational stuff makes me think that mankind has definitely failed.
How would you describe Berlin in 3 words?
The German capital.
Do you have any thoughts on the relevance and impact of dance music platforms such as RBMA, Boiler Room etc.? Have these marketing concepts changed the game at all?
They’ve certainly become part of the game… it’s quite amazing how they can boost your popularity. But what really counts in the end is what happens in “real life” – at the club, on the floor. For me, smiling faces are so much more rewarding than Facebook likes.
It’s been roughly 9 months since your last visit to Sub Club? What was your last/first impression of our Glasgow Basement? Are you looking forward to your return?
Of course I’m looking forward to come back! It wasn’t for no reason that I’ve picked Sub Club as a part of my Mantasy tour. I’ve only chosen my favourite clubs… My first impression was: This is like Studio 672 (our Cologne home base at the time) with a way better sound system!
Kompakt are currently giving away this free track from the man himself.“Good Times” is the first single from last year’s renowned “Mantasy” Album. What We have here is an alternative version of the album track, Cheekily titled “Smartphone Version”, it’s a special edit of what appears on the album. Sung by WHOMADEWHO’s man of a thousand voices Jeppe Kjellberg. It’s an ode to nightlife utopia, to hands thrown in the air and the feeling of belonging, when you know that this is the place, the sound, the crowd you want to be with. “so switch off your smartphones and get on board!” (Michael Mayer)
https://soundcloud.com/kompakt/michael-mayer-good-times
We would like to thank Michael for his time and insight, and we look forward to hearing the real thing at Subculture on Saturday. In the meantime check out most of the back catalogue on his YouTube Channel. Or have a listen to this live recording of his set from 10 Days Off in Ghent…
https://soundcloud.com/electronic-beats-radio/michel-mayer
Or get your ears round our favourite, this well renowned Resident Advisor Mix…
RA Podcast 335 Michael Mayer – 2012.10.29 by Kristof.T Maofree.Com on Mixcloud
£10 ADVANCE TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR SUBCULTURE HERE OR ONLINE & IN STORE FROM TICKET SCOTLAND.