Skrufff chief Jonty Skrufff is also the international representative for the Sochi Winter Music Conference, which takes place next weekend in Russia (February 9-12)

Todd Burns, Editor-in-Chief Resident Advisor (click for more)

Todd Burns (ResidentAdvisor.Net): The Key Questions

Todd Burns is editor-in-chief of electronic dance music portal Resident Advisor (RA), overseeing all editorial output created by its team of over 100 active international contributors. He visits SMWC to speak on the Media Matters panel (Beyond Web 2.0- the future for dance music media).

SWMC: How did you end up as Editorial boss of Resident Advisor, where did it all begin?

Todd Burns (Resident Advisor): “One day, I told myself that I wanted to be the second best electronic music writer in the world. (Next to Jonty Skrufff.) I’m still working on it.”

SWMC: How big a role has luck played in your life/ career?

Todd Burns (Resident Advisor): “It’s been pretty much the defining feature of my life and career.”

SWMC: What’s been the hardest obstacle you’ve had to overcome?

Todd Burns (Resident Advisor): “My lack of talent.”

SWMC: What’s been the biggest mistake you’ve made?

Todd Burns (Resident Advisor): “Thinking that I had a bit of talent. Don’t let your ego get in the way!”

SWMC: How superstitious are you?

Todd Burns (Resident Advisor): “Have you ever seen Jack Nicholson in As Good As It Gets? It’s a little bit like that.”

SWMC: What advice would you offer someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?

Todd Burns (Resident Advisor): “Watch out for cracks in the sidewalk. (pavement).”

SWMC: What has been your greatest achievement?

Todd Burns (Resident Advisor): “Establishing personal relationships with international DJs and producers of course. Getting close to fame is what it’s all about!”

SWMC: What’s the meaning of life?

Todd Burns (Resident Advisor): “42 according to Douglas Adams. Who am I to disagree?”

SWMC: What are your expectations about Sochi: what do you hope to achieve/ experience from the conference?

Todd Burns (Resident Advisor): “I’m not sure what to think about the conference, as I haven’t been. But what I’ve heard from Jonty leads me to believe that Russians are very serious about their electronic music. I hope to change that a little bit.”

http://residentadvisor.net

Jonty Skrufff (http://skrufff.com )

Sunday Times video clip of 'decadent Berlin'

Hugely influential and usually respected British newspaper the Sunday Times published a hysterical ‘not safe for children’ expose on Berlin night life this week which suggested that ‘not since the 30s has Berlin experienced such decadence.’

Echoing the entertaining, if usually fictitious prose style pioneered by the Times’ notoriously sleazy deceased sister title the News Of the World, crack reporter Christopher Goodwin said‘ mass orgies’ involving hundreds of strangers are routine while ‘in every Berlin nightspot you openly see people snorting speed or cocaine’.

“I watched thousands of drugged up clubbers dancing in their own dreamscapes,” he continued, “and saw hundreds of anonymous bodies desperately clutching for flesh in the dark sex rooms”.  Visions, he added, which left him ‘profoundly depressed’. (Sunday Times: http://thetim.es/wQ9tMb )

Apparently dreaming up his fantasy sex stories after a brief trip to Berlin’s (admittedly open-minded) fetish club the Kit Kat, Goodwin also claimed to have visited Berghain (‘Berlin’s most notorious club’) and ‘The Wilde Renate’ (known to Berliners as Salon Zur Wilden Renate, or more commonly ‘Renate’).

American Berlin scene DJ and journalist Beaner, a regular at ‘the Wilde Renate’ and resident at both KaterHolzig and (now closed) Bar 25, two of the other clubs prominently discussed by the Times, was puzzled.

Berghain's home page; clear proof of ubiquitous Berlin orgies (click for more; NOT SAFE FOR SUNDAY TIMES READERS)

“I actually skimmed through that article, a friend of mine from London sent it to me, in the context of another friend moving here. She asked me what I thought of it,” Beaner told Skrufff, chatting in a decidedly non-sexual, non -drug crazed, though down-at-heel chic bar three days later.

Clearly sex crazed KaterHolzig/ former Bar 25 resident Beaner; click for more

“To me it’s just the basic London journalism,” he shrugged, “You know, it’s using vague second hand non-facts to prove a story that you set out to write already. 

Writing about Berlin’s scene regularly, Beaner spoke openly of the ‘artificial stimulants’ used by some clubbers for marathon sessions in a piece about fatigue published on Sweat Lodge Radio last year  though ridiculed the Sunday Times’ citywide assertions.

“That kind of stuff he described does exist in a few places in Berlin though I honestly think Berlin was wilder and more hedonistic a few years back. A lot of the illegal venues and semi-legal underground parties are being driven out, I don’t think it’s getting more insane and lawless. It’s not,” said Beaner.

“When I moved here lots of people were setting up bars and club nights in ground floor apartments, they didn’t even know who the owners were, they’d set them up for a couple of nights then leave. That was a lot more crazy.”

Beaner DJs at Cookies Fashion Week Special in Berlin on Saturday 21^st with Samanta Fox, from 18.00pm). Clothing optional.

http://www.omega-oz.de/

http://slimag.com/august2011/#/14/

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

Click on the picture for more from Perc

According to the Mayan Calendar the world (or at least civilisation) is due to end cataclysmically on December 21^st 2012.  With economists and futurologists also almost all predicting a year of upheaval, Skrufff asked a bunch of our favourite DJs and personalities for their predictions for 2012; both musically and apocalype-wise . . .

Perc: Berghain Bandwagon Jumpers and Despicable Dubstep (interview)

“In the sub-niche that I work in there will be a continuation of more and more people jumping onto the Berghain/ industrial techno bandwagon.”

Though he’s more than adept at producing top quality underground serious house, Perc, aka Ali Wells, is best known for delivering highly original and idiosyncratic industrial techno such as that featured on his new artist album Wicker and Steel. Adored by critics (Resident Advisor chief Todd Burns loves it, and Quietus dubbed it ‘an antidote to wishy washy electronica’ in making it one of their albums of 2011: http://bit.ly/tXckuu ) the new album has more than a few producer fans too, though copyists are unlikely to impress Ali.

“I’m not bothered 95% of people making this stuff get it so incredibly wrong, with such a lack of vision, that it barely registers on my radar.” he laughs.

“If you were making Minus style minimal two years ago, then big room white noise laden techno last year, then anyone who has any actually knowledge of this music can see your fakery from a mile off,” he warns.

Despite name-checking Berlin’s best known club Berghain (where he performed twice this year) he’s got no plans to join the thousands of other DJs who’ve made the city their home.

“The most inspiring place should be the city you have a local connection with,” he explains.

“People should try to build things up in the city where they are, not dream of moving to Berlin, then getting there and realising that unless you already have some profile you will just become one of the masses scratching around for DJ gigs in bars.  For me that city is London, there is a combination of innovation, open-mindedness and energy that is unique to the city,” he says.

Skrufff (Jonty Skrufff): What do you expect will happen to clubland in 2012?

Perc: “Clubland will continue to tick over as always, it always seems slow to react as (understandably in these times of financial woe) promoters play it safe with DJs they see as sure-fire profit makers.”

Skrufff: How about for genres such as dubstep; and for David Guetta-style dance-pop?

Perc: “The two will merge and become even bigger. Producers and MCs that had a few years as leaders of an emerging underground scene will trade on the cultural capital they acquired during their underground days and shamelessly embrace a more pop-led, commercial edge, chasing money and fame; conveniently forgetting their original supporters. This is already happening in UK hip-hop and dubstep but this model is now starting to be applicable to once great techno DJs and labels.”

Skrufff: how concerned are you (if at all) by the Mayan Prophecy and their end time prediction of December 21^st? Or anything else apocalyptic kicking in?

Perc: “This stuff worries me little. I believe that if everybody looks after themselves and does not mess with others then we should be fine. My close circle of friends, family, labels and artists is my main concern and I try to do the best to look after everyone involved. That said if some semi-apocalyptic event shakes up the old-boys network that still dominates and restrains parts of the dance music industry then I will be a very happy man.”

Skrufff: what about the financial crisis; what do you expect for next year? (How concerned are you if at all: for clubland? for London; are more riots likely?)

Perc: “If it affects people’s income and therefore their disposable income then it is a worry to every individual and business. People still need enjoyment and entertainment and will always find a way to scrape together the money to go out. It does concern me but as someone with very little knowledge of economics it feels as much out of my hands as the daily weather. But I think more riots, especially during the summer of 2012 are very possible. Of course I do not wish for this to happen but if it happens during the Olympics then it could be a very sticky situation for the British government.”

Skrufff: How much do you believe in destiny/ fate generally? (what’s been the biggest stroke of luck/ serendipity you’ve experienced? and the worst luck you’ve encountered?

Perc: “I believe in fate but I also believe that you make your own luck via the chances you take and the way you treat people. I tend to try to forget bad luck, but missed flight connections due to bad weather or London’s unreliable transport structure are harder to shift from the memory. The best luck I have had is when a friend introduces you to someone that leads to great opportunities or the random meeting at a pub or club that leads to amazing gigs and recording possibilities. Anything is possible at any time.”

Skrufff: Anything else to add?

Perc: “I just hope that in this era of dwindling record sales that labels see it as an opportunity to experiment and try new things. Pushing your label towards a more commercial sound to try and gather up a slightly larger share of what revenue remains is short-sighted and bad for dance music/techno in general. Now is a better time than ever to push boundaries both with music and technology and I just wish more labels and producers would do that, rather than just churning out low-quality copies of what is currently grabbing the media’s attention.

http://perctrax.bandcamp.com/

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

Having a bit of a 70s theme to the blog today; check out the master in his 70s glory days….. (As spotted by Alisson gothz) Plus this one below from Berlin uber-film Christiane F.

1. Tim Deluxe: Transformation
2. Marco Lys: Kama
3. Ismael Alonso, Mikel Ayerra: Pena Capital
4. Ramon Zenker & Harada: Rappelkiste 
5. Carl Craig ; Sandstorms

1: Tim Deluxe: Transformation

(Get Human)

2: Marco Lys: Kama

(Great Stuff)

3: Ismael Alonso, Mikel Ayerra: Pena Capital

(Different Grooves)

4: Ramon Zenker & Harada: Rappelkiste (Original Mix)

(Blu Fin)

http://bit.ly/udavID  (Soundcloud)

5:Carl Craig: Sandstorms (Neve remix)

(Planet E)

click HERE for more:

Steffa dressing Fidelity Kastrow/ photo by Jannis Mayr

Six Berlin residents; Pet Duo, Axel Bartsch, Ralf Gutterslut, Steffa Superheilig, Patrick DSP & Snuff Crew, chatted to Skrufff last week about life in the German capital. Steffa Superheilig (the only Berliner of the bunch) is the door selector at Renate and Kater Holzig and formerly Bar 25) and also one of the city’s top underground stylists.

See below for her comments in full (and lots more pictures)

.

Click here to read the full feature article; http://skrufff.com/2011/11/moving-to-berlin/

Barrikadestudio Berlin for Elle Magazine

Christina Stivalli for the Actor & Singer Anna Fischer

Skrufff (Jonty Skrufff): What’s your assessment of street/ club fashion in Berlin; what are the dominant trends?

Steffa Superheilig: “Here in Berlin people don’t have a lot of money but they are very creative so there are lots of interesting new stuff around. The main thing happening in Berlin is all about young designers, it’s becoming known because of interesting young designers creating their own style.

It’s not about the mainstream, clothes here aren’t so elegant like you see in Paris, it’s fresh and new. This is what’s special in Berlin.”

Skrufff: What are the most common fashion mistakes incomers make?

Steffa Superheilig: “Berlin isn’t about brands. In a way it’s really sad people running after brands because they’re marketed as the brands you’re supposed to wear. 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.”

Skrufff: How about for Brazilians (the article is also running in Brazilian magazine 128BPM)

Steffa Superheilig: “For Brazilian people it’s going to be a little strange when they first arrive because I know in Brazil everybody dresses really colourfully, because they have really great weather and sun. In Berlin you don’t have this. We have a different climate here, it’s very urban and people are into Earth tones, blacks, greys, white . . .browns. This is the only thing that people might find strange; they’re like ‘wow, no colours’. Just be happy and do whatever you want in Berlin, that’s why we’re all here.”

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

Snuff Crew: click for more

Six Berlin residents; Pet Duo, Axel Bartsch, Ralf Gutterslut, Steffa Superheilig, Patrick DSP & Snuff Crew, chatted to Skrufff last week about their experiences moving to the German capital. See below for (German) Snuff Crew’s Eins’ comments in full.

.

Click here to read the full feature article; http://skrufff.com/2011/11/moving-to-berlin/

.

Skrufff (Jonty Skrufff): What are the key things a visitor needs to know to make the most of Berlin?

Snuff Crew: “Berlin is the capital of Germany. But it’s not a typical German city. Berlin can be a big adventure. You can experience wild club nights here but you also can take walks through the parks, visit great art museums, eat amazing food and meet a lot of interesting and crazy people here . . .”

Skrufff: What are some of the more common mistakes foreign tourists make when they first arrive in Berlin?

Snuff Crew: “A lot of people come here and only know the address of their hostel and the name of the club they want to go to. That’s what taxi drivers often tell us anyway. But it’s always good to know something more about the city than just about its nightlife. Berlin offers so many other great things to you if you come to here. Just walk around and discover them. Trying to get in clubs too drunken or too stoned is also maybe not such a good idea.”

Skrufff: How important is it to learn German?

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

Skrufff: What advice do you have for getting into clubs like Berghain?

Snuff Crew: “Don’t go there in a big group of people, stay polite in the queue and also inside the club. Accept the doorkeeper’s decision if you don’t get in. Maybe try it again later or on another day. Look already for alternatives before you go to a certain club. If one club does not let you in, there are others who will.”

Skrufff: What advice for can you offer DJs wanting to get gigs?

Snuff Crew: “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 directly. But with some patience, friends and of course good musical taste, it should be possible to play here somewhere eventually.”

Snuff Crew’s latest EP is out now Berlin-based label Killekill. It contains the tracks “Domo” and “Eat This”

http://www.snuffcrew.com

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

Six Berlin residents; Pet Duo, Axel Bartsch, Ralf Gutterslut, Steffa Superheilig, Patrick DSP & Snuff Crew, chatted to Skrufff last week about their experiences moving to the German capital. See below for (German) photographer/ Gutterslut promoter Ralf Obergfell’s comments in full.

Click HERE to read the full feature article.

.

Skrufff: How much did moving to Berlin march your expectations?

Ralf Obergfell: “I was in for a surprise. I decided to stay in Berlin after I came here last summer with my friend Tony Hornecker and his Pale Blue Door team. We did a 4 week run of a pop up installation at Prinzessinnengarten. After the run the time felt right to stay. I was looking for a change and new inspirations.

In terms of difference, I think Berlin is (still) more artist friendly and grounded than London. Before I moved to Berlin I had been living and working in London for 19 years. I still love the Big Smoke and regularly go back for our monthly GutterSlut parties. Though it feels right to be here now.”

Skrufff: How different are Germans from Brits socially/ culturally, what are some of the social rules that differ in Berlin from elsewhere?

Ralf Obergfell: “I’m not sure. I don’t know if you can generalise as such. I guess it all comes down to personal likes and opinions. I don’t really go out that much. So I can’t really say. I love spending time with my friends (who I can still count on both hands).  I have my studio here, and it makes me happy if I can just loose myself in my work and get on with it. Though, going out in Berlin is easy, it’s a relaxed city. There is less judgement here and definitely less air-kissing than in London.”

Skrufff: What advice do you have for getting into clubs such as Berghain; have you ever been refused entry?

Ralf Obergfell: “I guess you just need to be relaxed, don’t play the tourist; have some life in your face. So far I’ve been lucky getting in.”

Skrufff: What’s your assessment of Berlin’s club scene today?

Ralf Obergfell: “I reckon there is still a lot in this city for everyone. You get a great variety of all sorts of genres, trends, parties and fetishes. If you want, you can party 24 hours, 7 days a week. I love that Berlin has still kept its underground rawness, although perhaps with years to come and all these fucking gentrifications happening across the city, this may change. It’d be a real shame, as it would seriously rip the heart out of the Berlin that so many people love it for. Listen up (Mayor) Klaus Wowereit!”

Skrufff: What are the most common mistakes incomers make?

Ralf Obergfell: “I think there are a lot of great (creative) incomers who come here to contribute and inspire Berlin as much as Berlin contributes and inspires them. However, there also seems to be a fair amount of incomers who just come here because Berlin is ‘so hip and tolerant’.  Sometimes I’m under the impression that a lot of these folks are spoilt rich daddy kids who think they can just get away with everything, and aren’t really contributing much to the city, let alone make the effort of learning the language. I find that quite sad and ignorant. Yet thankfully not everyone is like that.”

http://www.ralfobergfell.com/

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

Pet Duo: click for more

Six Berlin residents; Pet Duo, Axel Bartsch, Ralf Gutterslut, Steffa Superheilig, Patrick DSP & Snuff Crew, chatted to Skrufff last week about their experiences moving to the German capital. See below for Brazilian techno heroes Pet Duo’s comments in full.

To read the full feature: click HERE

Skrufff (Jonty Skrufff): How much did moving to Berlin march your expectations?

Pet Duo: “We moved to Berlin from Brazil 5 years ago, and the city really is so different from our hometown. There’s cleaner air and streets, better public transport, loads more parks and trees  . . . On the other hand São Paulo has better weather: MUCH better weather: As well as a lot more 24hour shopping options and more choice. When we lived in Sao Paulo we’d usually go to the supermarket at 3am. But for us the food factor is not so important, because here in Berlin we can find many Vegan/Vegetarian options for restaurants and markets.

Berlin matched our expectations in the way that is a very Europe-centred, geographically speaking, because this way we are so much near to any city in the continent. Living in Brazil would take longer to go to any gig, it just made sense to be here, closer to producers, vinyl shops, and the cities where we play.”

Skrufff: How necessary is it to speak German?

Pet Duo: “We took German classes for 11 months and it helps a lot on our everyday endeavours, even though what we know is still very basic. We think it is necessary to study for at least 2 years to properly speak it. But because we have a very international job, and we speak English almost fluently, for us it is not so necessary to learn it. Of course we will return to German classes, we cannot miss this opportunity. After all, where is the best place to learn it?

In Berlin part of the population speaks English, so we kind of find it hard to practice the little that we know and now that we stopped going to classes for 2 years, we have already lost a part of what we knew. 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, but it’s a very exact language.”

Skrufff: How different are Germans from Brazilian culturally?

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

Also Germans are some of the most focused and professional people we have ever worked with, matching the Dutch and the Austrians in this matter.

But there’s a lack of improvisation, which is something that we Brazilians have a lot; maybe Brazilians have that quality a little too much.

We have also learned that there are three things that Germans ask from anyone: To be on time, to wear clean clothes, and the third we’ve forgotten because we are Brazilians. Ha ha. No, we think the third thing you must remember is to pay your taxes. Please correct us if we are wrong.” (They’re right- Skrufff).”

Skrufff: What advice do you have for getting into clubs (eg Berghain); have you ever been refused entry?

Pet Duo: “We’ve been lucky because we have never been refused entry at any club. Yes, we heard that some clubs such as Berghain have a strict policy regarding entry. But what we would suggest is to go to the clubs wearing clean clothes, and not so fucked up. Then when inside, get dirty and drink as much as you want.”

Skrufff: How should a DJ coming to Berlin aim to find gigs?

Pet Duo: “Send mixes to promoters via websites dedicated for their nights, find an agency that can arrange your gigs in town beforehand, 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.”

Skrufff: What are the most common mistakes incomers make?

Pet Duo: “If someone wants to be in Berlin they need to be aware of the strict policy regarding immigration. The best thing to do would be to arrive in town and try to find a day job straightaway that could justify your stay, or, even better, come with a job already lined up beforehand. Otherwise you’ll be in trouble after your visa expired.”

http://www.petduo.com/ 

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

Axel Bartsch (Click for Axel's Soundcloud page)

Six Berlin residents; Pet Duo, Axel Bartsch, Ralf Gutterslut, Steffa Superheilig, Patrick DSP & Snuff Crew, chatted to Skrufff last week about their experiences moving to the German capital. See below for German producer/ DJ Axel Barsch’s comments in full.

To read the full feature: click HERE

Skrufff (Jonty Skrufff): What are the key things an incoming DJ needs to know to make the most of Berlin?

Axel Bartsch: “I would say you should try to do it like Berliners. A good idea is to get connected to Berlin underground networks or locals and ask what’s happening during your stay.

It also depends on what time of the year your are visiting. During the summertime one of the spontaneous open-air parties which take place on the river Spree or a bit outside the centre in the greens is a must. You also have to know that a lot of events are taking place during the week or on Sunday during the day lasting till Monday or Tuesday, so it’s not the usual weekend thing with closing in the morning. Besides the usual suspects like Berghain/Panorama Bar, Watergate, Weekend, Cookies etc etc there are a lot of great clubs with interesting programs like Ritter Butzke, Horst, About Blank etc and there is always something going on – no matter what.

Most of the best night life happens in Friedrichshain, Kreuzberg and Mitte, some in Neukoeln. You should locate yourself somewhere there. Most sights and museums are in Mitte. You should also take your time to see some other things beside clubs; there are plenty of interesting museums and art galleries to see. Unfortunately it’s not easy to make it if you rave too much and stumble out of Kater Holzig on a Tuesday morning. Tip: if you stop a taxi on the road and you have only a short distance to go (2 km) you can tell the driver and you only have to pay 4 €, no matter how many people you are.”

Skrufff: What are some of the more common mistakes foreign tourists make when they first arrive in Berlin?

Axel Bartsch: “We don’t have usual tourist traps like fake taxi drivers or something so you can’t do too much wrong. You should check where you want to go and where you stay of course, it can take a while to get from west to east and taxi costs could increase. Just because you are allowed to drink alcohol in the streets doesn’t mean that you should sing and yell all night long and get totally wasted in public. Don’t go to Potsdamer Platz, it’s nothing special and interesting, just some new office blocks where nothing has been before.”

Skrufff: How important is it to learn German?

Axel Bartsch: “Its not important, you can get along with English pretty good. It’s always nice to know some basic words but Berliners love different cultures and especially people from places like Brazil.”

Skrufff: What advice do you have for getting into clubs (eg Berghain)?

Axel Bartsch: “Get on the guest list or at least pretend that you are on it. Door policy is a mystery to me. It seems to me pretty random. Sometimes they deny entry to normal pleasant people and then you go in and see some bad looking weirdos from the countryside. At Berghain or Bar 25 eg they like it sometimes crazy and if you’ve thought about your outfit and took some effort. Gays are very welcome. Dressing up in a suit or something is not helping in general, it’s the same if you are too wasted, stay easy casual. Don’t think about not getting in, they can read your thoughts.”

Skrufff: What’s your advice for DJs wanting to get gigs?

Axel Bartsch: “Well, usually you should produce some music that gets recognized around the world so your name becomes known. If you don’t have the chance then your mixes and performance must be something  special.

In a city where one third of the people are djs or musicians it ain’t easy to get gigs. You need to get in touch with promoters and check what’s possible. I can barely imagine that a promoter would pay for an overseas flight because there are so many DJs available for lower costs. It must be something very special. If you come here on your expenses it would be different.”

Axel Bartsch’s second artist album ‘Experiment Musik’ is out now on his own label Sportclub Music.

http://bit.ly/t1jeaA Axel Bartsch / Tim Green @ Club GZG 16 April 2011

http://bit.ly/uvSwGy Axel Bartsch – Am Mauerpark

http://soundcloud.com/axelbartsch

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