Yesterday was released the second mixed Cd of the Watergate Sessions. After having Onur Oezer in their first session it was time to invite Mr. Sascha Funke to develop a genuine DJ mix. It was recorded at the Watergate Club on a warm August night using records of various ages. Any and all cracklings and sounds from the needle touching down come from the use of vinyl records, are deliberate and desired, and are an integral part of the sound of this authentic DJ mix. Sascha Funke is an honest-to-goodness Berliner and he played a significant role in molding and forming the techno scene in this city. After releasing his long-awaited second album ‘Mango’ on his own label Bpitch Records early in 2008, his DJ Mix for the Watergate Club in Berlin is now his second achievement for the year. In addition to current tracks and remixes from his own album, the mix is interlaced with carefully chosen jewels and rarities from years past. One of the best mixed cd’s of the year!

It was with great satisfaction that we interviewed Sascha Funke directly to the minimaland.com readers:

Minimaland.com: First up the traditional question: How did you get interested in making electronic music?

Sascha: At the beginning of the 90´s Berlin was already a big spot in the techno scene. So it was quite easy to get in touch with the music. I was listening every week to Marushas radio show, and she explained where are the good clubs and where you get the records. So she was teaching me in a way:)

Minimaland.com: You are easily one of the top artists in the Berlin scene, you have been producing music since the 90… How does a guy maintains such a high-level of production for almost a decade now!? What’s the secret? Devotion? Passion?

Sascha: Thanks for the compliment. I don´t know, maybe i released never something i don´t feel safe with it. less quantity more quality. and over the years i always tried to do something new. try to reinvent myself, in the studio i´m quite often bored, if i work with the same sounds all the time, and devotion passion, i think everyone has to make it with this.

Minimaland.com: You had quite a year. You released your second album, you had a couple of excellent Ep’s and now you’re releasing this mixed Cd on Watergate. What’s left?

Sascha: Maybe a vacation? no, to be honest i had an excellent year and i´ll continue playing until new years eve. i´m still fit for the next parties. and slowly i´m starting again to produce some new tracks for a single on Bpitch.

Minimaland.com: Your album “Mango” has received good critics around the globe! Do you consider this your biggest project so far related to production?

Sascha: Definitely, yes. i never worked so hard for something before in my life. and i moved to a quiet place in the south of France to produce with more concentration then in the crazy city of Berlin. for my next album i´ll do it again.

Minimaland.com: It cannot be easy to do such good productions for so long as you’ve been. Where do you usually find inspiration to create music?

Sascha: In many ways. especially for mango i was inspired by the wonderful nature of the province and the way to life there. Everything was more relaxed. but as a DJ of course the main inspiration comes from the music. in clubs where i play, in records i´m listening to. And at least from the history of pop music, i am lucky to grow up in a time when pop music had so many interesting styles and sounds.

Minimaland.com: The electronic scene has been in a huge development  over the last few years, therefore more demanding in terms of music know-how and software/hardware! How do you stand yourself in this process? How have you been adapting?

Sascha: I try to follow:) i´m not that big nerd who is always hiding for the newest plug in. i have my set up and i know how to use it, the rest comes from the feeling. for mango i ask my fellow fritz Zander (one part of Zander Vt of Bpitch) to make a final mix. he did a great job. i think i´ll continuing these kind of way. the “sound” of a record is getting more and more important with all that technological options.

Minimaland.com: Mango is definitely one of the most talked tracks of the year, it’s an unique original production but it was also already remixed by some great producers! What did you liked the most in Superpitcher, Tobia Thomas and Dj Koze’s re-works?

Sascha: It depends. Both are very different and as a DJ i can play it considering the moment of the night. That´s why i am so happy with both results. Beside that, they had to do it. Cause, last summer, we all together, created the word “mango” in our new boys language. So it was the final chapter of our private mango story. Mango means something is very beautifunl and unique and that´s it.

Minimaland.com: Now let’s talk a bit about this DJ Mix for the Watergate club. What were your thoughts when recording this cd!?

Sascha: Let´s do a mix which is not full of the newest and hippest minimal tracks. Try to do something timeless, which shows the people your own character not only as a DJ. Some tracks can definitely telling a story. moments in clubs i had and i took these moments home, now to recreate them again on Cd. I think this is for me the sence of a mix cd.

Minimaland.com: Watergate has a great name in the electronic nowadays scene. Do you consider this album a great achievement in your career?

Sascha: Oh ja. I was proud that they asked me. I play there now for a long long time. Had perfect parties. The whole staff was always very gentle to me. It´s a nice way to say “thank you” to this club.

Minimaland.com: Choosing 14 tracks to put in a mix for one of the best clubs in Berlin cannot be easy! How was the process of selection?

Sascha: Some old and new pearls who were following me in my dj case for a long time. I had 6 or 7 more, but there are just 74 minutes on a cd. So i had to kick some out of the selection, but i prefer only 14 tracks then let´s say 22. With the respect to track i pick, I don´t want destroy them. Some of them need more than 3 minutes to express themselves. I hate these “22 tracks mix cd´s”

Minimaland.com: Are you happy with how it’s turned out?

Sascha: Of course. And we do a special release party. I could win Dj koze to play with me all night long, it´s not so easy to get him. He´s playing in Berlin every year just for one time. I also like the packaging a lot. the cover is genius. The cock is great. They asked me for some other animals, but when i saw the cock i fall in love with him:) i hope they press some t-shirts as well.

Minimaland.com: So can we expect this to be something played by Sascha Funke around club gigs, or is it something to be appreciated with some kind of different mood?

Sascha: Some tracks I still play almost every night. But this is something I wanted to show and explain with the Cd. Every night is different and so the cd has many different moods in it.

Minimaland.com: I read that you’ve used only vinyl in this record. Do you prefer it over digital or you don’t make any exclusions?

Sascha: As a DJ in Berlin it’s still so easy to get the best vinyl. As long as i can get it, i´ll not leaving it. I play a few cd´s from unreleased tracks but if as soon as they are available on vinyl i buy it. That´s why on the mix is one track played from Cd. The Sten track was not out on vinyl in that moment.

Minimaland.com: What artists, producers & labels are inspiring you at the moment?

Sascha: I like some names they always doing quality, like Matthias Kaden or Koze or the whole Dial label. and of course i also like these labels around Oslo, but in my mix they are just apart. I try to connect them with older records or outstanding tracks like “Township funk” by Dj Mojuba. This is the spice for me. Surprise!

Minimaland.com: Name your top 3 albums of all time that suddenly pop in your head!

Sasha: Roxy Music – Avalon
Love inc. – Life´s a gas
Pet Shop Boys – Introspective

Minimaland.com: Who are you outside the music? What do you like to do? How do you spend your free time?

Sascha: I spend a lot of time with watching football. That’s my main passion beside the music. And i spend a lot of time just with friends, having dinner drinking wine. yes i´d say i´m a quite communicative person. I need the team around me.
like a football player:)

Minimaland.com: Wishing you the best, hope we can meet again in the future! Thanks for all (the interview and your delicate productions)

Cheers

Watergate 02

Artist: Sascha Funke
Release Date: 13/10/2008
Label: Watergate

01 – Nathan Fake – You Are Here (Four Tet Remix) (Border Community)
02 – Ellen Allien – Alles Sehen (Miss Kittin Remix) (Bpitch Control)
03 – Maus & Stolle – Taxi (Klang Elektronik)
04 – Zander VT – Get Down (Bpitch Control)
05 – Minilogue & KAB – That’s A Nice Way To Give Me Feedback
(Wighnomy Brothers Quintenzirkel Remikks) (Audiobahn)
06 – Dave Aju – Crazy Place (Circus Company)
07 – Sten – More Stash (Dial)
08 – Modal – Boy – Girl Boy Girl (Sounds)
09 – The Mole – Smiling And Running (Wagon Repair)
10 – Sascha Funke – Mango (Tobias Thomas & Superpitcher Como Mango Remix) (Bpitch Control)
11 – DJ Koze – I Want To Sleep (IRR)
12 – Closer Musik – Giganten (Kompakt)
13 – Patrice Scott – Visions Of Mantada (Aesthetic Audio)
14 – Milch – Housefrau (Acid Jesus« Purer Sex Remix) (Ladomat 2000)

Usefull links: http://www.tailored-communication.com/saschafunke/

Watergate Club