Marcel Dettmann, Berghain’s resident DJ, is certainly one of the hottest techno names both as producer and remixer.
Waiting for his debut artist album titled “Dettmann”, that will be released on April 26th on Ostgut Ton, Marcel told electronique about the music he grew up with, about the records he liked in 2009 and some other things.


So, Marcel, how was 2009 for you?

2009 was an outstanding year: I had lots of great gigs around the whole world and met a lot of very interesting artists. And private wise it was wonderful as well ‘cause I got married.

Marcel, you seem to be one of those excellent producers (together with Ben Klock, Shed, the label Ostgut Ton etc.) who are, finally, taking the attention to a more classic techno sound, far from the minimal sounds that have become so popular in electronic music in the last years. Do you agree?

Yes, on one hand I definitely agree on it, on the other not. Because what is minimal? Our sound could be understood as minimal as well because it’s very raw and reduced. For me minimal techno has to have soul, deepness and hypnotic aspects: just like a mantra.

How is to be part of the Ostgut Ton crew? What does it mean to be part of Berghain?

The Ostgut Ton crew is like my second family. It just matches perfectly to my understanding of the techno lifestyle I grow up with regarding the music, the people, the club: I’m very proud of it.

What about Berlin today? Is still the “heart” of the European electronic music?

Berlin is changing everyday. There are so many people still moving to Berlin from all over the world: musicians, artists and fashion people… That makes this city so interesting and exciting.
For me it’s still the “heart” of the European electronic music. Still supported through the historical stories about Depeche Mode, Iggy Pop or David Bowie coming to Berlin to produce their albums.

In November of last year it has been 20 years after the fall of the wall. How have you lived it?

I was 12 years old when the wall came down. We were in school and had a great party all together.

Let’s talk a bit about your dj set. I remember that, at the Elettrowave Press Conference, you said that you had with you lots of records and you would build your set according to the people there, the atmosphere, the place. How do you usually build your sets? Have you got already the set in your mind (more or less) or do you prefer to choose the tracks at the moment?
In general I listen to new records 4-6 hours per week. This is my way of preparing my sets. How the set will really look like is always depending on the crowd, the club and the atmosphere: so every set is very individual.

Do you prefer to play those long dj sets (seven, eight sometimes nine hour set) you often play or shorter (let's say two hour set)?

As a resident dj you always play at least 4 hours. So when I play at Berghain I really enjoy playing a long set but at the same time I love to play short compacted sets as well.

After Elettrowave in Leghorn, you played, together with Shed, at Club to Club Festival in Turin last November. Did you know already this festival before?

The gig was awesome, I already heard about the festival a lot before.

Ostgut Ton had a showcase at Sonar 2009. Let's talk about your performance, about that huge set you played. What can you tell us about that experience?

For me it was a great experience being part of such a well known festival in the world: I was really impressed to see and hear all the different musicians and bands. Regarding my performance: I liked it very much to play on that fantastic outdoor stage.

Do you have a favourite city to play in?

I don't want to pick only one city ‘cause it wouldn't be fair: there are many cities I love to play in.

What are the records (I read of a collection of 6000 pieces) you more often listen to? What are the ones that you have listened the most in your life? What is the music you grew up with?

To be honest most of the time I mainly listen to new stuff. But for sure there are a hand of records which went along with me: the music I grow up with was definitely EBM, Synthie Pop, Industrial, New Wave and of course Disco.
When I was a little boy my mother was always dancing in the kitchen on 70ies Disco music or 80ies Pop. As a teenager I listened to bands like Depeche Mode, The Cure, Joy Division, Nitzer Ebb and more. Later in school around 1992 the older brother of a good friend of mine gave us the first tape with techno music on it.

Some names of new electronic producers to follow? Some new labels?

For me Fever Ray is one of the greatest music projects in the last year.
In terms of electronic producers I would like to name Shed, Martyn and Levon Vincent. But of course there so many other great producers out there.
Labelwise I would recommend “Do Not Resist The Beat” from Berlin. For me it’s this special kind of raw, dirty and industrial Berlin techno music which I really like.

Last year I saw you playing in July in Leghorn and then in August by the Ligurian sea. Do you like and do you know Italy well?

I’m really in love with Italy. And the fact that I’ll play in Italy once a month this year will make that love even stronger ;)

What are your next projects? What about the plans of your label MDR? I've read also of an album from you coming next year..

You’re right my album will be released in april 2010.
On MDR there will be new releases as well but it’s not really ripe for decision yet…

I've read you think about music twenty-four hours a day. But what are yours passions outside music?

My wife is my passion.

What are you most proud of?

I’m very proud of my wife and myself as a perfect team.

What would you like to forget?

Everything I did in my life was important for my personal development.
Without all the mistakes I did I wouldn’t be there were I am now.

Last question: what have been, according to you, the best records and producers in 2009?

Singles:
01. EQD - Equalized 003 (Equalized)
02. Milton Bradley - (ALL) (Do Not Resist The Beat!)
03. Wax - #20002 (Wax)
04. Shake - Indagoo (Morphine)
05. James Ruskin - Solution (Blueprint)
06. Norman Nodge - MDR 05 (MDR)
07. Levon Vincent - Six Figures (Novel Sound)
08. Rolando - Running (Saved)
09. Zomby - Tarantula (Hyperdub)
10. Xenogears - Uap (Restoration Records)

Remixes:
01. Depeche Mode - Peace [Ben Klock Remix] (Mute)
02. Shed - Remixes (Ostgut Ton)
03. Ben Klock - Remixes (Ostgut Ton)
04. Orphx - Surgeon/Substance Remixes (Sonic Groove)
05. Function - Norman Nodge/Ben Klock Remixes (Sandwell District)

Albums:
01. Fever Ray - Fever Ray (Rabid)
02. Planetary Assault Systems - Temporary Suspension LP (Ostgut Ton)
03. Ben Klock - One (Ostgut Ton)
04. Leron Carson - Red lightbulb theory '87-'88 (Sound Signature)
05. Redshape - The Dance Paradox LP (Delsin)
06. Martyn - Great Lengths LP (3024)
07. Peverelist - Jarvik Mindstate (Punch Drunk)
08. 2562 - Unbalance (Tectonic)
09. Shackleton - Three EPs (Perlon)
10. Moritz Von Oswald Trio - Vertical Ascent (Honest's Jon)n)

Author: Antonio Di Gioia Published: 16 February 2010