High-tech Minimalism

In conversation with Boris Brejcha.

In conversation with Boris Brejcha, the german high-tech minimal music artist and producer on the occasion of the launch of his invigorating single ‘Twisted Reality’, which follows ‘Take A Ride’, a collaborative single with Boris’ real life partner Ginger; both tracks will feature on his forthcoming tenth studio album “Never stop dancing” out later this year.

The name of your label “Fckng Serious” is a quote from Joker and you’re known to perform with a harlequin mask, can you tell us about your fascination for the dark side of this character.

Yes that’s right, that’s a quote from the movie Joker. However, this is not the direct reason why our label is called like this. There was an “intermediate step”. When I made a song (R U Fckng Serious) with my friend and current label colleague Deniz, we were looking for a vocal. And decided on this text. At the same time we were looking for a name for my new label, and since we thought it was so cool we just adopted it. And yeah, I think the Joker is cool, but that’s not the reason for the mask either. I used to have others. But after a few years I came across this one and I like it the best. Then just the one came to the other and now I’m just the Joker haha. So many coincidences that have led to a great result.

You’ve described yourself as “a producer who also DJs”, what are you most passionate about in the music production process especially for other artists?

I’m a quieter person in private and don’t really like being the center of attention. That’s why my biggest passion is producing music. Of course I also like to travel and play gigs where I “present” my music to the fans but I am happiest when I can be in the studio for myself and make music. This is my favorite activity and I could spend the whole day doing it. I think it’s because I’m a “tinkerer”. I like to spend hours looking for the right kick/sound and tweak it until I like it 100%. It’s really nerdy, but it’s just „my thing.“

The single “Take a ride” ft Ginger, released in July along with the exquisite music video, seems wrapped in a spirit of redemption…is it this song your personal celebration of returning to music after a complex period?

Yes, you could look at it that way. From a purely musical point of view, the song definitely has a spirit of “break free” and “detached.” That’s exactly how the music video turned out, of course. And in addition the song came out now also exactly in the right moment. Since I always process things with my music, this was certainly an unconscious way to react to this situation.

It goes without saying that you and Ginger have good artistic chemistry and since you’re long terms collaborators and partners in real life we would be curious to know more about your way of working together.

Since we have been a couple for so long, it is of course a lot of fun for me to share my passion with her. And she also has fun contributing to it. Sometimes we have little studio sessions where we brainstorm and then record several vocals so I can use them when I need something – but sometimes I approach her specifically when I realize “for this one particular part, I need her female voice now with such lyrics.” And that works well. It’s fun for us that we then share something special.

The EP “Matrix” was unexpected, can you tell us more about this project? Was it inspired by eponymous cult film or have you made your own reflection on technology?

I had planned to release this EP for a long time, as a prequel to the album, so to speak. The fact that the title song is called Matrix has no deeper meaning… When I name a song, I always listen to it several times and think about which keywords or terms I associate with the music. This time I just thought of Matrix. That’s probably because the track already sounds a bit spaced out haha.

During the lockdown you also held drive-in concerts, can you tell us about this experience?

When it was not possible otherwise because of the lockdown in Germany, we had some drive-in concerts. In that situation it was totally cool to see what is possible when you have an exceptional situation and we were happy that people could party again in a way. But on the other hand it is not comparable to a normal party. It lacks the vibe, the energy and the emotionality when people have such a big distance and have to sit in the cars.

The song “House Music” released in April in collaboration with Artic Lake, was a fun and creative way to react to the quarantine. In the music video you included a footage of your fans dancing and enjoying your music from their home. How important is it for you to stay in touch with your audience?

Yeah, that was really extra cool!!! I totally enjoy interacting with my fans and would also say that I have a particularly close bond with them. I try to answer every single message I get on Instagram by myself and make it a point to interact closely with them and listen to what they have to say. I also have a closer and friendlier connection with many fans who come to my shows more often. I am so grateful to each and every one of them because I wouldn’t be where I am without them. That’s why I take every opportunity to do something good for them.

You debuted in 2006 with “Monster” and “Yellow Kitchen” EP’s, while the forthcoming  ‘Never Stop Dancing’
will be your 10th studio album, is there anything you would have liked to change or try out in your music career so far?

How crazy it just is. My tenth studio album, wow! I’ve evolved a lot in that time and improved, of course. The music I produce today sounds very different from what I did 13/14 years ago. It goes without saying. Still, I wouldn’t do anything differently. I’m very happy with the way I’ve gone and totally happy with the way my career is going. That’s why I would do everything exactly the same way again, because that’s the only way I became who I am today.

Can you give us a taste of your inspirations for the new upcoming album?

The songs that appear on the upcoming album are a collection, so to speak, of the best songs I’ve produced in recent times. Generally I take my inspiration from everything that happens to me in my daily life and I process my feelings in it. Every album, every EP reflects my state of mind from the moment of production. I’m looking forward to it when it comes out in November and hope that everyone who doesn’t know the songs yet because they haven’t been to any of the gigs, will like them.

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