Actualites Electroniques - Your daily dose of electronic music  
 
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You will find in this category each week, an interview or a biograhpy of a Dj or artist which is breaking the news. All styles are on the “menu” of this category: minimal, house, electro, techno or even trance in some cases.

The topic will be supplemented by other Djs following the latest electronic music news.

 
Techno
12
Steve Bug - Interview

Germany‘s very own taste-maker, trend-setter, mover-shaker-extraordinaire Steve Bug is a multi-faceted artist who refuses to back down from the limelight. A dedicated, energetic and constantly surprising talent, Steve is nothing less than an electronic music ambassador, a much-loved spokesman to the people, and for good reason. Growing Up in Germany’s techno and acid-house heyday, Steve Bug’s love for a perfect groove is as apparent now as it was back then. From the very early days DJjing in Bremen and Hamburg it was clear there was a strong talent waiting to be nurtured. With a bit of encouragement from Superstition’s Tobias Lampe, Steve’s very first productions were released in 1993 and his musical story began. The interview followed notably the ones of other famous German producers like Marc Romboy, Fritz Kalkbrenner, Extrawelt, M.A.N.D.Y., Thomas Schumacher, Butch or Solee. First, I wanted to thank these Steve who answered our questions.

 

"Hello Steve,

Honestly, it's a real pleasure and honor to interview you because you are one of my favorite German producers and your imprint Poker Flat is definitely one of the best ever in the electronic music world. I played so many tracks of it previously.

Thanks to H.I.M. Media, we have the chance to interview you notably because of your upcoming album “Noir” that will be released at the beginning of October. Could you please give us more information about your sixth album? How did you work on this album that contains 10 tracks and how the project was born?
> I started collecting ideas in late 2009, in-between I’ve been focusing on several other projects, but I kept on collecting ideas for the album. The fall of 2011 I started to focus on finishing some of the ideas. The most stuff was finished in beginning of 2012. In the last two months I wrote a lot of material that replaced other tunes that where originally planned to be a part of the album.


Is there any anecdote to tell us about this new album, maybe about one the track presented?
> After 20 years of doing everything in the production on my own, I finally decided to mix the tracks down with a sound engineer. So I was taking the whole project including the recorded audio tracks to his studio, to mix down the tracks with him. One day we had already one track finished and we started working on the second one. While he was matching the tracks to his set up I went to buy a bottle of wine… Then we came to the point where one of the plug-in just wouldn't open. Since it was a guitar plug-in and my mixing engineer is also a guitarist, I asked him to play the simple chords on his guitar so we can continue working. After the recording and the bottle of wine was finished I had the idea of recording a guitar solo on top. And since we were in a good mood, we did it and the solo is now listenable on the album. The track is called “Poison of choice”! ;)

The first half of 2012 is over. If you look back to it, what can you say about it? What is your vision of the couple past months? Mainly focus on the album we can imagine?
> 3/4 is over, in almost two month it's Christmas! I had a superb year so far. The first 6 months, I was focusing on the album between playing gigs, but I finally finished the album, I played even more gigs, the whole summer I’ve been playing beach volleyball with a DJ group and I even finished some remixes and another project with Mr. V that is going to be released on Dessous early November.

After you give us these info about your music news we would like to go back to your musical roots. Could you briefly tell us how did you become DJ and producer?
> I started getting into house music in the late 80's and started buying records and mixing at home immediately. But since I was enjoying being on the dance floor so much I don't really wanted to become a DJ. In '91 I finally decided to start throwing my own parties. And I soon become offered the job as a resident DJ at the club we were doing our events. My interest in how this music that I was playing was produced grew over the years as well and in '92 I started to visit friends in their studios to work on some tracks together. Soon after, I bought my first own gear and started to work as a solo artist.

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?
> In the beginning, I still had a proper job; dejaying was my second, additional job. Before, I worked as a bartender for my second job. So the step was small. When I finally decided to become a full time artist my mum was very supportive, my dad and my grandparents were very concerned about me giving up my normal job. Now everyone is very proud of what I have achieved of course.

Besides your production schedule, you have worked tirelessly to bring several imprints and notably Poker Flat to fruition. How do you manage all these tasks? You need to have a good team to help you I can imagine! When we interviewed Marc Romboy some weeks ago, he was mainly help by his father. What about you?
> I was very lucky, the owner of the label I released my first tracks with, became my label partner for all my labels. He does all the administration and we have other people helping us, which are good, but there is still a lot of work. Social life is a bit short most of the time. But I think it's a price you have to pay if you wanna be successful. I was always working harder than others and it is paying off. I can only advice people that have a dream to give everything to make it come true. But never do it on the back of others. Stay true to yourself and be nice to the people who help you.

How you would define the artistic direction of the label? A futuristic testament, a melting pot of sounds and ideas, where musical diversity meet experimentation?
> I never really thought of it to be honest and all of these explanations have something that suits us, but in general it is about releasing music that we believe in.

If there were one or two emblematic tracks to remember released under the label created in 1998, which are they? I know it is a difficult and large question. Maybe there is more specific track than others
> Poker Flat was founded at the end of '98 so there was only one release and that was “Loverboy”. A later release I can think of is “Televinken” by håkan lidbo.

Concerning this label, are there 2 or 3 artists you would like to talk about, that you may be signed recently or that you would like to sign? I was thinking about Nico Lahs for instance that has released his debut EP some days ago.
> Yes Nico is a nice addition to the artist roaster for sure. My biggest hopes are in Daniel Dexter right now, I really love his work and he is going to release a long player format next year. So looking forward to that.

More and more people are asking us about the material DJs and producers used. How did you produce a track? Which software or instruments?
> I have a lot of outboard gear. I love using synthesizers instead of plug ins. I do have a lot of Roland synth, like the Juno 60 and 106, the 101, the 303, the MK 80 a lot of the classic synth are in use. For the drums I usually use samples instead of drum machines it's tighter and faster to write a groove or change a sound.

The interview will be published on a website mainly read by French people. So, what do you know about the French electronic music scene? Are there some artists that you personally know or especially love their music?
> Of course, Laurent (Garnier) is the most known of them of course, but I love his productions, his sets and his radio show. Then there is D'Julz, a really good DJ when it comes to classic house and techno. Olivier Andrade just sent new material for his next release on dessous. Then there are so many other guys and girls, like Miss Kittin, Dan Ghenacia and so on...

Besides music, what are your hobbies?
> Sports and good food and wine.

Steve, before we conclude this interview we have a few more questions. Sometimes one word is enough!

The track you advice us to listen to in your discography? 
> Wet

An artist you would like to work with one day?
> Don't know, I like to work with people that I am friends with. Maybe Josh Wink.

Craziest or best live souvenir?
> None, not a big fan of souvenirs.

Best place for a live session?
> A beach.
 
3 words to define your music?
> Groovy, sensual, noir.
 
Are you using vinyl or mp3 for your mix?
> MP3? WTF, no one should play mp3s in a club? I use .aiff!

The software you use to produce?
> Logic Pro.

One privilege, being DJs, gives you access to?
> Sunsets around the world.

One word about France?
> Vive.

Your favorite track these days?
> Just changed a second ago and will again in…ooops, already did.

Some words about the website I manage and where the interview will be published: Actualités Electroniques?
> Unfortunately I haven't heard about it before...

Steve, thank you very, very much for the time you devoted to Actualités Electroniques and particularly for this full and exclusive interview. We will wait for sure for your next productions and your live dates. A bientôt!
> Thank you, cheers, Steve.”

Dj Aroy

MORE INFO ABOUT STEVE BUG
http://soundcloud.com/stevebug
https://twitter.com/steve_bug
https://www.facebook.com/pages/steve-bug/8517364710
http://www.myspace.com/buginmyspace
https://www.facebook.com/pokerflat.rec
https://twitter.com/poker_flat
http://soundcloud.com/pokerflatrecordings
http://www.youtube.com/user/SenPromotions

 
Written by Dj Aroy
Article en Francais       
 
 
 
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FEBRUARY 2013

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