You have been producing TechnoBASS/ElectroBASS records for a long time now, how did you
get into it? and where does your inspiration come from?
get into it? and where does your inspiration come from?
I have basicly been into electronic music since the Berlin Wall came down and all these western
subcultures were much more easy accessable here in East Germany. My first contact with New School
Electro was in 1996, when Dave Clarke put out his first “Electro Boogie” compilation. I was simply blown
away by the freshness of these sounds. At that time artists like SEM, Aux 88, Shiver had a huge impact on
me. By now I guess pretty much the whole Electro cosmos has went through my head so there are a lot
influences. I’m always especially keen on melodic things like Kraftwerk, Tangerine Dream’s early 80’s
phase and everything in that direction.
subcultures were much more easy accessable here in East Germany. My first contact with New School
Electro was in 1996, when Dave Clarke put out his first “Electro Boogie” compilation. I was simply blown
away by the freshness of these sounds. At that time artists like SEM, Aux 88, Shiver had a huge impact on
me. By now I guess pretty much the whole Electro cosmos has went through my head so there are a lot
influences. I’m always especially keen on melodic things like Kraftwerk, Tangerine Dream’s early 80’s
phase and everything in that direction.
What is it about Electro music thats got you stickin with this style for so long? what makes
Electro music so powerful to you?
Electro music so powerful to you?
Like others have said before - Electro is the Science Fiction of music. I’m a scifi addict so this music is the
perfect soundtrack for my life. For me it stands out towards all other electronic music genres. If done well,
Electro is all about colorfull playfull creativity. Much of it is just timeless like good Science Fiction.
perfect soundtrack for my life. For me it stands out towards all other electronic music genres. If done well,
Electro is all about colorfull playfull creativity. Much of it is just timeless like good Science Fiction.
Tell us a bit about the history of the label. What projects are you most proud of?
In 1996 the main label Dominance Records started out with a lot of german hardcore Hip Hop releases
(8O8 Mafia, LSD Proton) and few Electro productions (Dagobert, Prime Dominance). In 2000 we opened
the Electro sublabel Dominance Electricity which is what I mainly take care of these days. The
motherlabel Dominance Records my labelpartner Kretschi runs as platform for german Hip Hop and
Bboy Breaks releases (like the yearly Battle Of The Year Soundtrack albums). Of course I am most
proud of things like to have been able to work with some of my personal Electro heros like Newcleus or
Keith Tucker (Aux 88) for projects on our label.
(8O8 Mafia, LSD Proton) and few Electro productions (Dagobert, Prime Dominance). In 2000 we opened
the Electro sublabel Dominance Electricity which is what I mainly take care of these days. The
motherlabel Dominance Records my labelpartner Kretschi runs as platform for german Hip Hop and
Bboy Breaks releases (like the yearly Battle Of The Year Soundtrack albums). Of course I am most
proud of things like to have been able to work with some of my personal Electro heros like Newcleus or
Keith Tucker (Aux 88) for projects on our label.
How has the Electro scene changed in Germany over the last 10-15 years? what do you
miss? what are you excited about?
miss? what are you excited about?
There has never really been a party scene for this special type of electronic music here. It was always
just a few producers, labels, crews, fans spread all over the country. After the little commercial Electro
hype in 1998~2000, when the term “Electro” was more and more used for other types of electronic
music, the classic Electro went back were it had been since the 80’s - underground. That’s where we
are now, thats where its best. The exiting thing is that today the internet allows Electro freaks from all
over the globe to connect to one international scene at places like www.electroempire.com and all the
other online communities.
just a few producers, labels, crews, fans spread all over the country. After the little commercial Electro
hype in 1998~2000, when the term “Electro” was more and more used for other types of electronic
music, the classic Electro went back were it had been since the 80’s - underground. That’s where we
are now, thats where its best. The exiting thing is that today the internet allows Electro freaks from all
over the globe to connect to one international scene at places like www.electroempire.com and all the
other online communities.
What is the future of electro? and what is Dominance Electricity’s Role in that?
Despite all the confusion about what “Electro” is or should be, i think that the type we are talking
about will have a very long life. It will never fade away like some temporary hyped up trend subgenre,
because the pioneers of the 70’s and 80’s and the big Electro hype back then left a mark in music
history strong enough to keep reaching and inspiring new generations of producers. It might all
sound a little different in 20 or 30 years, but there will still be an Electro scene that remembers where
it all came from. For the years to come I hope we will be able to keep doing what we have done with
our labels since the start - releasing the music we love and make as many people happy with it as
possible.
about will have a very long life. It will never fade away like some temporary hyped up trend subgenre,
because the pioneers of the 70’s and 80’s and the big Electro hype back then left a mark in music
history strong enough to keep reaching and inspiring new generations of producers. It might all
sound a little different in 20 or 30 years, but there will still be an Electro scene that remembers where
it all came from. For the years to come I hope we will be able to keep doing what we have done with
our labels since the start - releasing the music we love and make as many people happy with it as
possible.
What artists should people watch out for?
Look out for the all the “new” artists we featured on our current release, the “Global Surveyor -
Phase 3” various artist album. We’re happy to have put out their works and I think there are many
more great things to come from them in the future.
Phase 3” various artist album. We’re happy to have put out their works and I think there are many
more great things to come from them in the future.
What should we look out for in the future of Dominance Electricity? what kind of crazy stuff
you guys have planned with all those drum machines?
you guys have planned with all those drum machines?
Next up is a remix EP release for the “Global Surveyor” theme song by Keith Tucker and Gab.Gato.
We are as well preparing a new 12” vinyl Electro series. Its all still top secret at the moment. To get
updates join our newsletter list at www.dominance-records.de or our Dominance Electricity group at
Facebook.
We are as well preparing a new 12” vinyl Electro series. Its all still top secret at the moment. To get
updates join our newsletter list at www.dominance-records.de or our Dominance Electricity group at
Facebook.
How did you find the different artists for Global Surveyor 3?
We receive a lot of demos and I always try to have my ears everywhere. Its been a long process for
this album, so in the end I had a zillion demos to choose from and it was really hard to come up with
the final tracklist. After our previous Old School release by Dynamik Bass System, I wanted the next
project to go into a rather New School melodic deep space Electrofunk meets Electronica direction.
The goal was to have all pieces fit together well to create a gesamtkunstwerk including the amazing
artwork by David A. Hardy.
this album, so in the end I had a zillion demos to choose from and it was really hard to come up with
the final tracklist. After our previous Old School release by Dynamik Bass System, I wanted the next
project to go into a rather New School melodic deep space Electrofunk meets Electronica direction.
The goal was to have all pieces fit together well to create a gesamtkunstwerk including the amazing
artwork by David A. Hardy.
INTERVIEW WITH MATTHIAS WEISE A.K.A. SBASSSSHIP
Gesamtkunstwerk