The year 2010 was one that will be remembered as a year of change, development and advancement in both life and in culture. Perhaps this is part of the reason for the phenomenal rise of Andre Tegeler, better known to the dance community as Moguai. A far-reaching and highly respected DJ on his homegrown German circuit. He firmly establishes himself as a One to Watch for 2011 with a rapidly growing worldwide fan-base. Today, we have the chance to offer you an exclusive interview with this German producer. It follows notably the interview of other German producers like Thomas Gold, Extrawelt, M.A.N.D.Y., Thomas Schumacher and Butch. First of all, I would like to thank Moguai who answered our questions.

 “Hello Moguai,

You’ve just released some days ago, a special double-remix of X-Press 2's latest track “Get on you”. It has been released under Skint Records. Just before it, you released the excellent EP we reviewed "We Want Your Soul", on the Swedish imprint of Steve Angello: Size Records. How did you two met?
> We met several years ago at a German award show, since then we were in contact from time to time, and last year I had this track, and I thought I would fit better to Size than to mau5trap or any other label.

What will be your next release?
> My new single “Optinuum” was just released a few days ago, and I am very happy how it develops. It´s the first single taken from my upcoming compilation on mau5trap. Apart from that there will be another release in the next weeks on Skint records. It´s a collaboration with Westbam, one of Germany’s techno veterans, and comes with huge remixes by Bass Kleph and Sonny Wharton.

2010 is over. For 2011, what we expect from you? New tracks? A compilation maybe? An new album?
> Everything you have mentioned ;) Lots of new upcoming tracks, a compilation with previously unreleased tracks and edits, and my second album somewhere around autumn this year.

If you look back to 2010, what can you say about it? It was indeed a full year for you: between the worldwide release of your debut album “We ar lyve” (the first non-Deadmau5 album released on the rodent Mau5trap imprint), and your remixes for Michael Woods, Moonbeams, Moby and ambient minor-tone masters of chill Royksopp. There was also your tour to the US and Asian continents as well as a lot of parties in Europe. There were also some fantastic releases like “8001” and “Stay Planetary”, which appeared on the playlist of Pete Tong's Essential Selection. So globally what is your vision about 2010?
> One of the best years I’ve had so far for sure! I received so much love from people all over the world, it´s crazy. For me remarkable was the release of my debut album. Still feels great!

2010 sounds like an explosion for your career. How do you explain this? Did you change something in your way of working and producing?
> I was so much into producing other acts in the past years that I have lost the focus on my own productions. This changed 2 or 3 years ago, I got back to my roots, placed the studio in my cellar and started from scratch. The outcome was a more emotional side of me, but still kicking and full of energy.

These 2010 successes, as we’ve just said, have been concretized by the release of your first solo album, 15 years after the beginning of your career? Could you please tell us more about this project? Why did you wait so long?
> When I had these successful releases in the beginning of this century I felt this pressure of making a hit album, I didn´t want to make an album that contains 12 Tracks trying to sound like the hit record. My debut album just evolved, there was no plan for it. I was very productive in the last 2 years, and suddenly I had the album in my hands.

After we gave this little introduction about your music news to our readers, we wanted to get back to your origins. Indeed, could you please tell us in a few words, how did you become a DJ and producer?
> In the beginning of the 90s there were those Techno parties in Düsseldorf, that was the first time I was in contact with that music, and it was all so new and revolutionary to me, the people, the music, the whole thing that I was catched from the very first moment. The rest was basically the most common way, starting to DJ, playing at private parties, mixing promotapes (jep, tapes, not CDs or MP3s), hand out to promoters, making more promotapes, handing out to even more promoters. From that point things came naturally, I started to make music and I am glad there were people that liked it.

 « Captain Future » is certainly your first hit, what does it means for you?
> It was a milestone in my career for sure. At that time I studied law, and suddenly I had this hit, and I had to decide which way to go, become a lawyer, or a DJ. I´m still glad that I decided to become a fulltime musician ;)

At the beginning, did your family understand what you did for a living? And now are they proud of what you achieved along the years?
> They saw that I enjoyed what I was doing and could make a living of it, my father still says that I took the "non serious" way, haha, but yes, they are proud of course!

Moreover Andre, what do you know about the French electronic music scene? Are there some artists that you personally know or especially love their music?
> There are many great French artists right now, but still outstanding for me personally are Daft Punk.

Besides music, what are your hobbies?
> Spending time with friends, doing sports, watching the movies, and some skateboarding from time to time

 

Moguai, to conclude this interview, we have a few more questions to better know you. Sometimes one word is enough!

The song you advice us to listen to in your discography?
> U know Y

An artist you would like to work with, one day?
> N.E.R.D.

3 words to define your music?
> Emotional - Vintage - Unique

Are you using vinyl or mp3 for your mix?
> MP3 & WAV

One word about France?
> Lovely place

The software you use to produce?
> Ableton Live

One privilege, being DJ, gives you access to?
> Travelling the world

Your favorite track these days?
> Deadmau5 - Raise Your Weapon

Some words about the website I manage: Actualités Electroniques?
> Great site and interviews! Keep up the good work

Moguai, thank you very much for the time you devoted to Actualités Electroniques and particularly for this interview. We will wait for sure for your next productions. We hope to see you in France soon maybe for a mixed session. See ya!
> Thanks a lot! Bye

Dj Aroy

MORE INFO ABOUT MOGUAI
www.moguai.com/
www.myspace.com/djmoguai
www.facebook.com/djmoguai
Moguai @ Juno Download

BONUS - Beatport Presents: Moguai Live DJ Setup Bundle - Promo Video