Brazil’s number one EDM radio network Dance Paradise FM is adding Germany Calling to their schedule and will be broadcasting the Berlin produced show every Thursday afternoon from June 7 (17.00 local time, 22.00 Berlin time).

The Curitiba based station reaches millions of listeners via a network of 55 terrestrial FM radio stations.

Sérgio Maslowsky from Dance Paradise FM chatted to Skrufff this week about the story behind the fast growing Brazilian radio network and recalled how they started 8 years ago ‘just as a web radio station broadcast from a small room here in Curitiba.’

“Initially we began broadcasting a few trance and house radio shows from some international artists and during that period times were really hard but after a few months we got in touch with some huge artists who supported and believed in the idea and the concept of the radio station- people like Markus Schulz, Matt Darey and Menno de Jong,” he recalled.

“Back then the radio was 90% trance and some other EDM songs, then over time we connected up with lots more new artists and we became so full of DJs and musical styles that we launched another channel, dividing up the genres. So we had just one for trance, and the other for house and techno. Nowadays we have 4 different channels and each is broadcast across 55 FM Stations around Brazil.”

Germany Calling specialises in delivering exclusive upfront underground house and techno tracks from labels such as Kling Klong, Soma, Crosstown Rebels, Turbo, Culprit, Punch Music and Great Stuff and is produced and presented by Jonty Skrufff and Fidelity Kastrow. Each week’s one hour show also includes one or two classic cuts and rarities and is also broadcast on BLN.FM (Germany), Underground FG (France) and Ukraine’s leading dance music radio station Kiss FM.

For Sergio, who handles Dance Paradise’s international and artist relations, Germany Calling’s inclusion on the Concept Channel fits a programming schedule that already includes shows from Carl Cox, Yoshitoshi and Get Physical. (This is Dance Paradise; on Youtube: http://bit.ly/KQQ3tI )

“Dance music has always been a global phenomenon and we reflect that on Dance Paradise FM,” he says.

“How many of the shows are in English? Well almost 99% of our output is either in English or foreign languages,” says Sergio. “We have a handful in Portuguese but that’s all.”

Fidelity Kastrow & Jonty Skrufff - Click for archive shows

Skrufff (Seb Mortimer): How do you decide what styles of music and DJs to support?

Dance Paradise (Sergio): “We’ve always maintained good relationships with the DJs who provide us with radio shows, and we’re always looking for good stuff, whatever the genre. The key issue for us is to have good quality programmes and be open minded to new trends and styles. Sometimes these can seem aggressive and weird at first, but when you look into it and see a lot of different material and so many people following that genre then we’ll experiment and put it right in the middle of the schedule and see what feedback we receive.

The artists decide the music they play on their shows of course, and we already have huge numbers of listeners who are addicted to trance, house, techno, deep house and even chill-out so we’re not relying just on numbers, we feel it.”

Skrufff: What’s your assessment of club culture and EDM in Brazil; how much is the country now embracing EDM in the mainstream?

Dance Paradise (Sergio): “Brazil’s EDM scene is growing constantly these days, thanks to both the internet and global communication in general. We need it here too. If I can use myself as an example, I personally hate samba and I hate with all my heart performers such as Michel Telo and that country style music, so I really miss that Europe atmosphere and culture about e-music.

In the past, and I’m talking about not longer than ten years ago, if I told someone I liked Paul Oakenfold or Cris Liebing they would turn to me and say ‘what the fuck? Who are those guys, I’ve never heard of them.’ Or ‘so you use drugs or have a mental problems?’ But nowadays most people in Brazil are familiar with these names and many more and though people aren’t 100% into dance music, it’s changing. We think we’re helping this happen because dance music is our passion- we love what we hear and what we do.”

Live @ D-edge (Sao Paulo)

Skrufff: How about places like Florianopolis; how much do you cover that scene: how much does it have the potential to become an Ibiza style destination (over December to March)

Dance Paradise (Sergio): “We have strong partnerships with clubs such as Pacha and Stage Music Park, they’re excellent clubs and partners, and that city is such a beautiful place. We’re always doing special events there, whether it’s live broadcasting or events or even doing our own special events.

But Ibiza is Ibiza, nowhere in the world beats it. Armin van Buuren once said ”every year we have a new Ibiza, and it burns for that season, and sometimes in the next season it’s gone, but you cant compare the magic of that island, its unique”; Florianópolis has a long way to go still but I think Floripa already has its space at the sun.”

Skrufff: You broadcast to 57 affiliate radio stations: what kind of audiences do you attract: for the mainstream shows and the underground ones?

Dance Paradise (Sergio): “We try to attract both Greeks and Trojans because we have both types of artists on the crew, but let me answer you with another question: What is underground these days? Even in the underground we have mainstream artists and with information now available everywhere you don’t really have underground scenes anymore; certainly not in the way it used to be.”

Dance Paradise; click for more

Skrufff: How do you see Dance Paradise developing- in the next 6 months- in the next 3 years?

Dance Paradise (Sergio): “It’s hard to say even what we’ll be doing tomorrow, but I think it’s definitely our moment, our time to shine even more. Expanding to 57 station was a big jump, and we’re starting to get these fruits now, so I think Dance Paradise will be bigger than it is now, and I can expect huge events and festival partners and more conference tie-ups in the future.”

Skrufff: Anything to add?

Dance Paradise (Sergio): “Thanks to everyone, even our enemies – if we have any . . .”

Listen to Germany Calling every Thursday afternoon from June 7 (17.00 local time, 22.00 Berlin time).

http://www.danceparadise.com.br

http://www.mixcloud.com/jontyskrufff/ (Listen to archived Germany Calling shows on demand, here)

Seb Mortimer: http://listn.to/JontySkrufff

click on the picture for program schedules

Leading French dance music station Radio FG have added Jonty Skrufff and Fidelity Kastrow’s weekly BLN.FM radio show Germany Calling to their station, broadcasting each edition three times a week.

The one-hour weekly show is being broadcast on Tuesdays at 8am (CET), Thursdays at 17.00 and Sundays at 14.00 on Underground FG, the cutting edge channel of the massively successful radio group, said station administrator Nicolas Chanel.

“Underground FG was launched in 2004 at the same time as Paris’ Techno Parade began, which FG DJ Radio cofounded together with Technopole,” he explained.

“The channel is specialised, similar to how FG was in its early days, focusing on house, techno and new genres, with a wide variety of radio shows, DJ live sets and a playlist featuring both classic and cutting edge music,” he said.

“I’d say the channel is aimed at electronic music lovers. From early Warp records to the latest Skrillex, you got it all on Underground FG.”

Fidelity Kastrow & Jonty Skrufff

Germany Calling (with some Warp tracks but almost certainly no Skrillex) joins a roster of DJs including mainstream stars Carl Cox, Paul Oakenfold and Sander Van Doorn and alternative ‘underground’ DJs including M.A.N.D.Y., Jesse Voorn and Adam Beyer.

“The DJS we feature on Underground FG are either historical ‘big name’ scene DJs or underground DJs that might not have a sound that is “easy listening” enough for an FM broadcast,” Nicolas continued.

“But because today’s underground and mainstream scenes seem to be blending more and more together all the time, it’s getting hard to define who is underground or not, especially with all the niches of genre of the electronic music scene out there today.”

“Basically there are many criteria we use for selecting shows, with quality being the main show. And Germany Calling fits perfectly. We’re very happy to welcome Jonty and Fidelity to the FG team,” he said.

Click here to listen: http://bit.ly/aayywD (clicl the ‘ecoute/ listen’ button): Underground FG showtimes are Tuesdays at 8am (CET), Thursdays at 17.00 and Sundays at 14.00 (CET: ie Berlin/ Paris mainland Europe time).

Germany Calling also continues to be broadcast on BLN.FM at the regular times of Friday evening (20.00 CET) and Saturday nights (23.00 CET): http://bln.fm

Jonty Skrufff: http://listn.to/JontySkrufff

Berghain (taken from Snuff Crew's video for God; click for more)

“A lot of times people move to Berlin for just three years or something and then they go back to America or Italy or whatever. But they bring the impact, the energy. That’s really good for the scene, because we have all these new people doing something, trying something. That’s why the music scene here is super dynamic.”

Chatting to US lifestyle guide Flavorwire.com in 2010, born and bred Berliner star Ellen Allien was positive about the hordes of incomers relocating to the German capital though added one important proviso:

“Rich people just visiting for the weekend, that’s what’s killing the city,” she warned, “but as long as people keep moving here, Berlin will remain cool.” (http://bit.ly/97ZU85 )

International DJs who’ve since gone include Made to Play’s Jesse Rose (who moved to LA this year) and Visionquest’s Seth Troxler (now based in London) plus Berghain resident Cassy, a Berliner for 8 years up until recently.

“The rent is cheaper than elsewhere, this of course is a very tempting factor for staying in Berlin but the world is big, there are so many places to look at and live in,” she told Sweatlodge Magazine last month.

“I wanted to live in a place where the food is amazing and there’s more life in the street, more energy,” she explained (Sweatlodge Radio; http://bit.ly/uL8SYy )

Styling by Steffa Superheilig: picture by Jannis Mayr for Proud Mag

That Berlin can be bitterly bleak on windswept wintry nights (and uber-cold; down to minus 20ºC) is certainly true though it can be equally sweat-drippingly hot in July and August when temperatures regularly top 30ºC.

In energy terms too, it’s searingly scalding, at least according to Wired magazine who recently branded Berlin ‘one of Europe’s hottest start-up capitals’.

German magazine Der Spiegel agreed too, reprinting Wired’s words plus another interesting assessment from leading US technology blog TechCrunch.

“It’s become the place where misfits in Europe — people who want to be artists and creators, people who don’t fit in rigid social structures of cities like London — flock to do what they want,’ Der Spiegel (Tech-Crunch) reported

“If London feels like a European New York; Berlin feels like a European Portland or an Austin or a Boulder. And perhaps one day a European San Francisco,” they predicted.

If London feels like ‘a European New York’, Berlin feels more like a retro New York, specifically the avant-garde, anything goes, ultra decadent lower East Side playground of the 80s.

Packed with clubbers, punks, gays, DJs, freaks, nerds and assorted global (and German) misfits, Berlin (or rather its three inner city districts of Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain and Neukoln) shares the same mix of graffiti tagged brownstone tenements, though unlike 80s era New York, it’s safe.

Remarkably so, in fact, despite the fact that every other street light is switched off after dark, as a budget saving device by cash strapped local authorities. And while it’s superficially menacing after dark, it’s also a surprisingly tranquil city, packed with cafes, parks and trees (Berliners will proudly tell you it’s the most tree filled city in Europe.)

It’s also full of cyclists and bicycle lanes; legend has it that hundreds were built after the second world war, both because so much of the old narrow street grid was flattened and because fuel shortages meant cars were beyond most people’s means.

Snuff Crew

Skrufff chatted to six Berliners who presently call the city their home: Steffa Superheilig (stylist, door selector at Renate, Kater Holzig and formerly Bar 25); German producers Snuff Crew and Axel Bartsch (Sportsclub), Brazilian incomers Pet Duo, Gutterslut (German) co-promoter Ralf Obergfell and Canadian producer Patrick DSP and asked them to share their insider tips for making the most of the city.

Ralf Obergfell's new series 'C U R R Y 6 6 6'

—–=—-

Brazil's Pet Duo

Berlin; Learning German- Is It Strictly Necessary?

“It’s a hard language to learn: with English you must have at least a 600 word vocabulary to have a proper conversation, while with German you need 3000 words.” Pet Duo (http://www.petduo.com/ )

Brazilian techno types Pet Duo moved to Berlin over three years ago and taking classes for 11 months managed to master the basics. However, mixing mainly with the English-speaking club community (which includes many Germans), both admit mastering it remains more than a little tricky.

“We think it is necessary at study for at least 2 years to properly speak it,” they suggest.

“Another problem is that a portion of the population in Berlin, routinely speak English, so we find it hard to practice the little that we know. Now that we’ve stopped going to classes for two years, we’ve lost a part of what we knew.”

“And because our job as Pet Duo is very international- and we speak English almost fluently, it’s not absolutely necessary that we learn it,” they say.

Both are enthusiastic about continuing with lessons, however, as is Canadian incomer Patrick DSP.

“If you’re in the big cities, you can get by with speaking English almost anywhere. Outside of the big cities, you’ll be looked at as if you’re an alien if you don’t speak the language,” he says.

“You’ll really need to know German if you plan on doing anything officially here; taxes, visas, renting, doctors. German classes here are offered by the Government (Volkshochschulen/VHS) and are quite affordable compared to German classes in your home country.  I’m currently enrolled.”

Patrick DSP

German producer Axel Bartsch is more relaxed, declaring  ‘it’s not important to learn German, you can get along with English pretty well. It’s always nice to know some basic words but Berliners loves different cultures.”

German tech- house duo Snuff Crew agree.

“Berlin is a really international city. If you speak English you will find your way around easily,” they say, “Though if you plan to move here, it makes sense to learn German, of course.”

Ralf Obergfell (a German who divides his time between Berlin and London working as a photographer and co-promoter of Gutterslut) takes a tougher stance.

“There seems to be a fair amount of incomers who just come here because Berlin is ‘so hip and tolerant’, he suggests.

“Sometimes I’m under the impression that a lot of these folks are spoilt rich daddy’s kids who think they can just get away with everything, and aren’t really contributing much to the city, let alone making the effort to learn the language. I find that quite sad and ignorant,” he complains.

“Though, thankfully not everyone is like that’. 

—–=—–

Patrick DSP @ Brandenburg Gate (click to see Patrick in action)

Getting into clubs

“No one cares how far you have travelled or who you know, this is Berlin. The person in front and behind you in the queue have travelled just as far and know more people than you do. The door man’s responsibility is the safety of the club, their patrons and the vibe inside.” Patrick DSP (http://www.patrickdsp.com/ )

While Berghain remains famously Berlin’s toughest club to get into, most of the best clubs operate some sort of door control, with weekender club tourists one of the most likely groups to be excluded, or at least made to wait.

Dress codes are also dramatically different as evidenced by a German slang term that, like Schadenfreude, has no direct English translation: Schickimicki’.

According to About.com a schickimicki is a ‘member of the in-crowd/smart set; trend-setter, jet-setter; fashionista’, usually plus points for the VIP/ bottle service clubs of London and New York, though in Berlin the exact opposite; schickimickis are ‘superficial’ pretentious and snobbish’ people, to be excluded.

Styling by Steffa Superheilig for Barrikadestudio Berlin for Elle Magazine

“Berlin isn’t about brands,” says Steffa Superheilig, one of Berlin’s highest profile door pickers (and by day talented fashion stylists).

Steffa does the door for Kater Holzig and Salon Renate amongst other parties, after spending the last but one six summers working at one of the city’s historically toughest clubs to get into; Bar 25.

“I think the most important thing here is to understand yourself and develop your own style. What you like, what fits you and what makes you happy. This is the most important thing for dressing in Berlin.”

“Here in Berlin people don’t have a lot of money but they are very creative so there are a lot of interesting new stuff around,” she recommends.

Steffa’s fashion shoots tend to involve stunningly beautiful, if unconventional, models wearing theatrical Elizabethan style costumes lashed together with leather, feathers and lace, so she’s certainly open to extreme looks. (for more information on Steffa, drop her an email to Steffa Superheilig:

design@superheilig.com )

Axel Bartsch

styling by Steffa: picture by Gonzalo Armas for the singer Jasmin Gate

Axel Bartsch (a relatively sober dresser) agrees.

“At clubs like Berghain or Bar 25 and Renate they like it sometimes crazy so it makes sense to think about your outfit and make an effort, gays are very welcome too,” he adds.

“Dressing up in a suit or something is not helping in general, and it’s the same if you are too wasted, stay easy and casual. And don’t even THINK about not getting in,” he laughs, “they can read your thoughts.”  (Axel; http://www.kompakt.fm/artists/axel_bartsch )

Patrick DSP recommends researching where you’re going, though emphasises that the main point is to remain humble at all times.

“Don’t be an asshole. Be respectful for the place you’re going,” he urges.

“If you show up at the door being loud, aggressive, speaking loudly in a foreign language, drunk, high or in a very large group; you probably won’t get in.” 

“If you don’t get in, don’t stress it or fight it unless you want them to remember your face and never let you in ever. Just go across the street, there’s bound to be a club in Berlin that will let you in (eventually).”

Patrick’s assessment comes some two years after fellow Canadian expat Berliner Richie Hawtin was (infamously) ejected after a reported fracas involving some of his friends.

“U know what, BERGHEIM (sic) is a great club once you are inside, but why does the door policy have to be so ridiculously hard,” the superstar DJ complained on his Facebook page hours later.

“Come on guys, you have a great club but don’t act so egotistically cool. We would all love to play and work with you, but you need a serious attitude adjustment!!! Good luck and remember those who have been supporting your scene before you even opened,” he complained.

—-=—-

DJ T-1000 & Patrick DSP

Common Cultural Mistakes

“Going out in Berlin is easy; it’s a relaxed city. There is less judgement here and definitely less air-kissing than in London.” Ralf Obergfell (Gutterslut)

Pet Duo share Ralf’s overall assessment though admit moving from Brasil took then a while to culturally adjust.

“We learned that there are three rules that Germans ask from anyone: To be on time, to wear clean clothes, and the third we forgot, because we are Brazilians,” they laugh. “No, we think the third rule you must know if you move here is to pay your taxes. Correct us if we are wrong.”

“Brazilians are generally much more open for meeting new people, really easy-going and laid-back, whereas Germans tend to more closed and introspective,” they continue, “But in other ways, when the Germans open themselves they can be great fun to be with, and they can party as hard as the Brazilians do, no doubt about that.”

Patrick DSP also points out a few ‘general rules of conduct about Germans’.

“Remember that some people don’t like to be touched or like to have a close conversation. And don’t be offended if your conversations/jokes don’t get the body language you were expecting, each culture has its own way of interacting; don’t be offended if it’s not the same as yours,” he says.

“Also you’re in their land, you’re their guest. You need to adapt to their culture and mannerisms, not the other way around. I find Germans to be a friendly bunch; though Berliners are not quite as friendly though.  So don’t expect people to put down the book they’re reading to greet you when you enter their shop.”

“And just because you are allowed to drink alcohol in the streets, that doesn’t mean that you should sing and yell all night long and get totally wasted in public,” Axel Bartsch adds.

Finding Gigs:

“In no other city will you find as many DJs living here as in Berlin. And the clubs also book a lot of guest DJS from all over the world. So it’s not very easy to get a gig here.” Snuff Crew (http://www.snuffcrew.com/ )

“In a city where one third of the people are DJs or musicians it ain’t easy to get gigs,” Axel Bartsch concurs.

“Usually you should produce some music that gets recognized around the world so your name gets known: if you don’t have that chance, then your mixes and performance must be something special,” he advises.

“Have friends and contacts before you come; have something to show for yourself,” Patrick DSP agrees.

“If you’re new to the DJ world and expect to make it big here, then get in line. There are about 3000 FOREIGN people registered musicians/artists in Berlin, and that’s not counting all the other foreign people who are not registered with music being their main profession.”

Patrick also suggests DJs should find a local agency to represent them beforehand, an approach Pet Duo also endorse.

“Send mixes to promoters via websites dedicated for their nights,” they also suggest, “and get in touch with a DJ who has a residency at the club you would like to play and make sure he has the liberty to ask the promoters/club owners to book you.”

Fidelity Kastrow, styled by Steffa, picture by Jannis Mayr (click on the picture to watch 21st Century Girl)

Patrick DSP has the last word.

“Coming here with high expectations and not understanding the huge history and cultural differences here will make for crushed dreams,” he cautions.

“Substance always outlasts any media hype and Berliners know this because they see all the techno tourist DJs coming at the beginning of the warm weather each year who leave around September.”

“I’ve met many DJs in my short time here who tell me their great plans when they first move in, only to invite me to their apartment sale when they need to go back home a few months later.”

“It’s not something to be embarrassed about, but it’s something that can be avoided with a little bit of planning and luck.”

Jonty Skrufff: http://listn.to/JontySkrufff

Click on the picture for latest Inspiral Carpets news

Legendary Madchester psychedelic rockers the Inspiral Carpets announced they’re reforming this week, featuring the original line-up of Stephen Holt and Clint Boon, Craig Gill, Graham Lambert and Martyn Walsh.

The Manchester group, who achieved four number one albums in the 90s, are working on new material, they revealed on their website, in preparation for a world tour starting in South America in November. (http://www.inspiralcarpets.com)

Chatting to Skrufff some time before the announcement about his follow up project Spartak, Inspiral Carpet’s bassist Martyn Walsh spoke happily about his Inspirals days including hanging around with future Oasis star Noel Gallagher.

“Noel auditioned to be the Inspirals singer when Stephen Holt left (in 1989). We didn’t think he was good enough so we offered him a roadie job instead,” Martyn recalled.

“He was the sort of guy who was always at gigs and someone who seemed to know everyone. Some of his mates were the sort of people who it was better to know than get on the wrong side of.”

“I knew he played guitar when we first met him but for all the time he worked for us, he seemed more interested in U2 and the recreational lifestyle of being in a band than becoming the Beatles obsessive he is now,” said Martyn.

He also chatted in greater detail about his Spartak collaboration with (Skrufff DJ) Fidelity Kastrow on ‘Bad Love’,  a rocking electro flavoured mash-up topped off by the Berlin DJ/ performer’s unique vocals.

Click on the picture to listen to Bad Love

Skrufff (Seb Mortimer): When did you first write ‘Bad Love’, what inspired the track?

Spartak (Martyn Walsh): “Bad Love was written around 3 years ago and started life as a punky grunge classic in the making. However, it never had the right vocal. I needed a female vocal to give it that confident sexuality that only certain women have. Fidelity has that in abundance, you can tell just by looking at her and hearing how she approaches her DJing and music.

‘Bad Love’ was inspired by movies such as ‘American Beauty’, where a man’s desires can over take him, leading to disaster. The song needed the counter balance, the girl who would promise AND deliver but don’t dare to mess her around. A typically screwed up British take on sex. Now given some meaning by Fidelity.”

Skrufff: How did the connection with Fidelity Kastrow come about?

Spartak: Through Mark Reeder. Mark and I have been friends for ages. I met him when Inspirals were touring Europe in 1990. We met him in his Penguin Bar in Berlin and got talking. He was born just a mile away from where I was living in Manchester. Since then he has been a great inspiration, and is constantly pushing me from a far to believe in myself and seize opportunities.

He mentioned Fidelity and gave me her live mix CD, I checked her website, and was completely blown away. Then I emailed her…the rest is virtual history. To this day we still haven’t met, we recorded and mixed ‘Bad Love’ together via the internet and communicated solely via SMS and Facebook. ‘Bad Love’ really sums up the Music Industry in the 21st Century.

Skrufff: Going into the Inspiral Carpets days, the band really broke through in 1989 during those summer of love acid house days, how much of a regular were you at Manchester’s Hacienda?

Spartak: “I used to go regularly on the Thursday Nude nights in 1987/88, before Madchester was even invented. You would hear the Beastie Boys, Mantronix, The Smiths and embryonic Detroit techno being played, it was really exciting. Once the media scramble had started, Hacienda seemed to lose its way but those lost days and nights in the late 80’s had a profound affect on me.

All sorts of people would meet up; there was a strong creative force there, not just music. There was a definite “anti London” vibe going on where Mancunians realised we had the creativity but also our own infrastructure to realize our potential. It gave us the desire to do things our way, hence the reason we set up our own label, Cow Records with the help of 808 State and Tony Wilson.”

Skrufff: You were the band’s 13th bass player: How did you get the job- and how did you keep it?

Spartak: “I was in another band, the Next Step, who rehearsed in the same Mill (studio) as Inspirals. Their bass player left, my band wasn’t showing the ambition I needed, so I jumped ship. I kept the job by being fantastically talented. Seriously, we all kept our positions because all 5 of us shared that same belief and determination that comes from the fear of going back to our “proper” jobs.”

Skrufff: How much did joining the band change your life?

Spartak: “Looking back, it changed my life profoundly. I got to travel the world, meet some fantastic people and created a legacy. Money was no object early on and at 21-22 years old that can have an adverse effect on you, no-one wants to say “no” to you and it’s easy to get swept away by the bullshit. I’m not very trusting of people who want to get close to me now. I have a small circle of very strong friends, that’s all I need.”

Skrufff: How much was signing to Factory Records an option?

Spartak: “Tony Wilson did want us to sign to Factory, and as a huge New Order fan I was thrilled but as a business man I knew it wasn’t the right thing to do. We would’ve played second fiddle to New Order and the Happy Mondays, and we didn’t want to be seen as an afterthought. Tony was really understanding and gave us a lot of advice about starting Cow Records.”

Skrufff: How close were you to the Happy Mondays/ Stone Roses?

Spartak: “We would accidentally meet the Roses and the Mondays at some random gig in Valencia and such like but never did we all go to the Hacienda together.  We were all too busy getting on with our own careers. Now I meet up with Mani and Shaun at social events every now and again. I’d say at our peak we were rivals. The press ramped up a Clint vs. Shaun battle which stemmed from an Inspirals interview in which he allegedly slagged off Shaun. The ironic thing was we didn’t even do the interview. We were too busy, so we got Noel Gallagher, our then roadie to do it.”

Skrufff: The Hacienda ended up being destroyed by gangs and thugs: How much of a problem were these people for you – for the band?

Spartak: “No problem, really. Drugs, money and power were synonymous with dance culture by the mid 90s. I was quite fortunate that I didn’t stay around as the Hacienda entered its death throes. I’m glad it’s now residential apartments. It would be tragic if Manchester ended up like Liverpool, constantly harking on about the past and never letting go.”

Skrufff: You went on to record as Spartak. A quick google search reveals massive hooligan fights in Russia: Did you go through any football gang episodes? (City or United)?

Spartak: “I was involved in “incidents” as a United fan during the mid 80s: before they became the multi national conglomerate they are today. I never got involved in fights as such and never took to carrying a knife or anything like that although many people around me did. I really enjoyed the fashion (Fila, Tacchini & Lacoste), the camaraderie and travelling to exotic places like Blackburn. Funnily enough a couple of years later I would venture back to Blackburn to the illegal raves held there.”

Skrufff: You were a member of Inspiral Carpets previously for 6 years, Peter Hook has talked in detail how skint they used to be during the 90s days of New Order, so said they ’just got on with being New Order’. Was being in the Inspirals a similar experience?

Spartak: “Not really, we were quite prudent as a band and in hindsight, maybe we should have been more “rock n roll”. I think we got a bit comfortable and inevitably lost the hunger.”

Skrufff: How easy was it to pick yourself up after being dropped by Mute in 1995?

Spartak: “Looking back it hit me really hard. I’d been a gigging musician since I was 18 and suddenly was left with nothing. I had no band to rely on and had to fend for myself. Luckily my girlfriend was very supportive and encouraged me to try new ventures. I went into making Underworld-esque techno with another project that received some great feedback from the releases we had. That led me to making music for computer games and resulted in becoming a consultant, advising new artists about the pitfalls of the industry.”

Skrufff: Plans for the future? (with Spartak? Fidelity?)

Spartak: “Spartak has re-ignited my desire to produce music again, without the shackles of a “band sound” – we can work with who we want, however we want. We are currently working on tracks for adverts and keen to do more remixes. We’ve nearly finished a storming version of Fidelity’s 21st Century Girl. As for working with Fidelity, we have more tracks that would benefit from her vocals and general approach. Ideally, I’d like to revert back to the old school, and work with Fidelity in a studio, in Berlin, face to face on a track from scratch.”

For more details about Inspiral Carpets’ revival, click here: http://www.inspiralcarpets.com

For more on Fidelity Kastrow (including her brand new video 21^st Century Girl (directed by Till Kuenzel with costumes by Steffa Superheilig), click here: http://www.youtube.com/fidelitykastrowtv

http://bit.ly/uWczLU (Spartak & Fidelity Kastrow: Bad Love)

Seb Mortimer (Skrufff.com)

This week, we’re uploading a selection of pictures from Skrufff DJ Fidelity Kastrow’s new video to 21st Century Girl . . . Styling done by Berlin’s Steffa Superheilig.

click for more

 this one (above) is by Rüdiger Muller

FK on the island (click for more party details)

Secret Island Nation (SIN) festival promoter Bjorn chatted to Skrufff this week as he finalised preparations for the latest Berlin party at brand new Kreuzberg club S.K Robinson (October and vowed that he’s capping capacity for future events.

“This year we actually sold out all 500 tickets in advance and while we didn’t turn away few additional guests who without pre-sale tickets we really want to keep numbers down in future,” he said, “Rather than growing in size we’d prefer to enrich the non-musical program and the hippiesque vision of how to make the world a better place to party.”

Revealing that he’s also in discussion about putting on events in Oslo, Copenhagen and Iceland next year, he sounded a note of caution about limiting the numbers of spin-off parties too.

“As you all know the world goes down on 21/12/2012 so SIN 2012 will be the last one,” he chuckled, “So make sure to grab one of the only 500 tickets soon, especially as half of the contingent is reserved for “veteran islanders” (though I haven’t figured out a fair way yet….),” he added,

The upcoming Berlin party takes over all three floors of the brand new club with a line-up of island regulars including Dirk Sid Eno, Skrufff DJs Fidelity Kastrow and Jonty Skrufff, Seyman, German Lachs and Dirty Ragga Squad. Partygoers can also buy uber cheap SIN tickets for 2012.

“Pre-sale will start at the Reunion party, again with discounted early-bird-tickets: the first 50 will be available for 50EUR,” said Bjorn.

“Then they increase in price, with 50 more for 60EUR, and again 70EUR. Regular price for the remaining 350 tickets is 90 EUR.”

“As always, we will provide travel packages by bus or flight from Berlin, Oslo and Copenhagen/Malmö. Tickets sale outlets and online purchase information are to be found on www.secret-island.eu in the next days.”

Seb Mortimer (Skrufff.com)

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