Alex Bau interview

December 4, 2006 | Filed Under Artists, Interviews |

If you’re into techno, you must have heard for Alex Bau and the label he runs with Sven Dedek, Toneman. Having DJed since the early ‘90s across Germany and Europe, Bau has previously released EPs for Fine Audio, Parasound, Energy Industries, Dave Angel’s Rotation, his own Toneman, Chris Leibing’s CLR, Pascal Feos’ PV-Records, Justin Berkovi’s Predicaments and Default Recordings; and remixed tracks for Chris Liebing and Pascal Feos. Now he started a new sub label of Zenit - Credo. The sound is a refreshing take on techno with the tracks leaning heavily more towards a modern minimal sound! First release is his own album with the same name - “Credo”. Alex Bau is a technical genius and his ability to craft sublime techno grooves in the studio is second to none, so be sure to check this stuff out!

Jacbri.com recently did an interview with the man, while you’re reading it, listen to his live set from Air club (Tokyo), recorded 24.11. & played 4 days later on Jacbri Radio Show.

Interview w/ ALEX BAU by Koma

So, you just came back from Japan? How was it?

Alex: It was a really amazing short trip. I arrived in Tokyo on thursday, then played on in Tokyo on friday and in Osaka on saturday. Directly after the show on saturday I left for the airport again. A lot of fun, but only a few hours of sleeping…

In your opinion, whats the biggest difference between the scene in Japan and here in Europe?

Alex: I have the impression that in Japan people still have a very fresh approach to techno and electronic music in general. Techno is still somehow really underground, except maybe Tokyo, but compared to commercial electronic music is very small there. In Europe underground music is often more known to the people also outside the bigger cities. On the other side I think that people in mind are still more about to loose their mind while dancing, they get really excited which is very cool. And they drink a bit less alcohol ))

Tell us something about your new album Credo and the concept behind it?

Alex: Credo is my second album after “Connected” on my own label Toneman back in 2004. I and the crew of Zenit was working really hard to create this album, I spent nearly 9 months with creating, changing, re-arranging the tracks of the album, and I am totally satisfied with result. It`s an album I totally can identify with, I would play every track of it - and I have even done it.

Why the name Credo?

Alex: The album is my understanding of Techno these days, that`s the reason why the name was kind of obvious. My credo was always that techno is more than just one style like minimal or groovy or hard. Techno is all of it, and clubnights are much more interesting if you have a constant up and down, created by the music you play. Therefore it is necessary to have the tracks for, and Credo features minimal stuff as well as really straight technotracks.

How are things going with Toneman?

Alex: Actually there is not much going on with Toneman right now. Sven and I just released the “Revenge of the 303″ as Basic Implant, but we have nothing scheduled for the near future. There is some stuff we could bring out, also from other artists, but right now other activities are more important.

Is it true you’re one of the guys behind “You Know” label?

Alex: Well, what should I say about “You Know”? It`s a nice bootleg label, and I buy nearly every record of the label, if you know what I mean

Lets go to the ongoing vynil vs mp3 debate. With so many distributions going bust every year, Intergroove being the last in the line, do you agree it’s becoming clear that labels will sooner or later have to accept digital distribution as a necessity? Even if vynil survives, digital music can’t be ignored.

Alex: It is already a necessity, but vinyl is still much more sexy than cold, digital mp3`s. Even if I use final scratch, I only play material I have on vinyl (except my own, very new tracks in order to test them). I simply love records, that`s why I buy loads of them. At the same time I think that portals like beatport are cool to attract people to the music and to make them buying music instead of copying it. People shoudl realize that it`s hard work to create cool music, so it`s just fair if they face the fact that it`s not for free. I think this is the biggest problem with mp3`s.

Your view on the current state of techno right now (as music and scene, in general).

Alex: For me the whole scene right now is too much bound to extremes! No matter if it is minimal, clicky stuff or fast hardtechno. I always have the best parties when I play some driving, powerful techno with minimalsitic elements but a heavy grooving basis. The word “Techno” has the wrong meaning to a lot of people right now, they want to be cool and liste to “Minimal” or whatever. Hey, it`s all music! The only way to seperate it is between good and bad music, that`s it. The technoscene should become more open-minded again, that`s really important in my eyes!

You developed pretty tight connection with canadian scene, you travelled quite a few times there, your set in Aria club was even released as a mix CD… So, we might say Canada is kind of a special place for you?

Alex: Actually I only played in Montreal so far, but yes, for this place I have very special feelings! All of my gigs, but especially the last two ones in Montreal were absolutely amazing, really some of the best gigs I ever had! And as people there seem to love what I do, it`s just great to come bavk every time and having great parties together with them. I think I can say that I really love Montreal when it comes to parties, and yes, it`s a very nice city too!

Is there anyone you’d like to work with on a track/EP or do a remix for?

Alex: Probably my biggest wish is to do a remix for my favourite band, Depeche Mode, once. I love their stuff, they are the biggest band in the world, no doubt. When it comes to techno, I don`t have any special wishes. There are so many good producers out now at the moment, new ones and older ones with a very high reputation, it`s hard to name just one.

The year 2006 is almost behind us, there was quite a lot of good music released in it. Can you name some favorites of yours?

Alex: I think one of the most impressive tracks this year was Joris Voorn`s “MPX309″. This track is really minimal, only produced with a 909 and a 303, but it`s one of the best technotracks I ever heard. I also like the work of Tadeo from Spain a lot right now and also Adam Beyer again showed in 2006 how techno can be kind of re-invented with his Mad Eye label.

source: jacbri.com

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