Benno Blome Interview

Ahead of the Berlin Berlin birthday this Saturday 2nd July (full info and tickets here), we spoke to Sender Records boss and ex-Bar25 resident Benno Blome who plays alongside Tobi Neumann, Cinthie and more...

You were born in Cologne. What in the city shaped your taste in electronic music?

When I started to buy records in the mid-nineties, I was totally into minimalism. Stuff from Detroit, Chicago or New York from artists like UR, Robert Hood, Jeff Mills, but also German artists like Basic Channel/Maurizio from Berlin or Studio1 from Kompakt in Cologne. This was kind of an avant-garde approach at that time, completely futuristic, stripped down to its basic core.

How were you lucky enough to become a resident at Bar25?

I moved to Berlin in 2000 and became part of the young scene. It was much smaller at the time. The concept of the Bar25 was new and totally appealing to me. I spent so much time there, unbelievable!

For those who never went, how would you describe the experience of Bar25 and why did it ultimately end?

Everything has an ultimate end, with only one exception: the sausage! That’s a German saying! Anyway it was a very easy going/everything is possible kind of situation there. It opened only in the summer, directly at the Spree, sometimes you had the best nights/days with only 50 people!

Your label, Sender Records, has been running for over a decade now. How has it changed since you started it while still living in Cologne and what do you have coming up on the label?

In December it's actually Sender’s 16th birthday! Our actual catalogue number is number 100. It’s an artist album project called Night Shots, with some EPs by myself and friends. There are also tracks from a new artist on Sender called Fish Eye Collective.

Can you tell us about your new release on Bar25? Are you involved in the label?

I have released there before with my 'Go Loose' EP and now I helped them reactivate their label with my EP 'Father Of Birds' and a DJ mix compilation 'Kaleidoskop #1', which is coming in two weeks. It’s always a pleasure working with the label.

Have you played at Egg before? Do you vary you sound depending on what country you play in?

It’s actually my first time at Egg. I have played at Fabric a couple of times during the years. But I’m really looking forward coming to London again. I hope the Brexit is not too heavy on the moods. I play a different set at every venue, it always depends on the mood and night what and how I play.

Can you select three tracks which sum up what you're likely to play at Egg?

I will play my new releases and some new unreleased tracks, everything else I will see on the spot!