Boris Brejcha Interview

Talking High-Tech Minimal with the Fckng Serious boss

Purveyor of High-Tech Minimal, a collision between minimal techno, melodic house and roughshod electro, Germany's Boris Brejcha is a prolific producer who has already released four albums, with his fifth on the way. This time it'll be on his own label, the emphatically named (and possibly very tongue in cheek) Fckng Serious.

Boris joins Marc Romboy, Mark Reeve and more at Egg Presents on Saturday July 23rd - tickets here. We spoke to him about studio tips, marathon gigs and the fine line between awkward and funny when signing a fan's boobs...

What's so hi-tech about High-Tech Minimal, the name you've invented for your sound?

Ha, ha, well good question. I choose the name because I felt like I'm ahead of our time music wise. The mix of elements I use in that kind of combination is quite unique and High-Tech Minimal was my description of this special combination.

On your website you have videos where you show people your studio. One tip we got from you is to only use about 20 parts for each track, otherwise it become too overloaded. Do you have another Boris basic tip you apply to most music that you make?

That's a hard one... Well, a really basic tip, but also the most important thing when you produce, is to use EQ intelligently. That means you have to cut out frequencies that you don't need and interfere with others, so that your mix sounds quite clear and well balanced. Its a real art to be able to do this, so there's a lot of trial and error involved. But I can say that if you take special care of this, it's going to make a huge difference.

Your newest release is called Sir Ravealot. Were you a massive raver before you got into production or DJing?

The funny thing is, I was never a raver at all. I just liked the music a lot when it came out and I was so curious to find out how it was created that I had barely had no time to go out. I mostly focused on the process of actually doing music. But I think that's what most producers are like. Yes, we do like to party. But we love our Studio even more.

To assess your current rave credentials, what's the longest gig that you've played before?

I played in Portugal recently. They had a license problem, so the police was about to cancel the whole party unless the international artist takes over. So I ended up playing eight hours instead of two! But it didn't feel like that. It was magic, outdoors at the seaside, and ended up facing the sunrise, which was amazing. I loved it!

We've seen you playing gigs with and without a mask. What's the story behind it and will it be making the journey to Egg?

I take the mask with me every time I play. And I wear it whenever I can. Only if it's really to hot - it's very uncomfortable to wear in general - or If I play back to back with Ann Clue, will I not use the mask. When I come to the Egg, the mask will be with me, of course.

You released four albums on Harthouse. Why did you decide it was finally time to start your own label? Is there another album on the way?

I was with Harthouse a very long time and we had a really good relationship, but there is always a time in life where you have to move on and do your own thing. So that's what I did. The idea with the label had been in my mind for as long as I can think, and I think I found the right time to take another step forward. I love to have control of my own, to decide whether I release one track or another, even if it might be a different style. That's the freedom you have when you are your own boss and that's also the main reason. You are fully in charge of what you do and you can do whatever you like without asking somebody else.

And of course, the next album is already on it's way. I have so many unreleased tracks, I could do an album with 100 tracks and I would still have unreleased ones. In my friend's words, they say I ́m a music machine.

Can you tell us about Ann Clue and Deniz Bul who you run the label with? How long have you had a connection with them?

Ann Clue and Deniz Bul are my best friends. I've known Ann for over eight years now and she's been with me through all the steps of my career, from being unknown to where I am today. She helped me to grow and to go through all my difficulties. She is also my manager and takes care of all the organization around me. As well as that she's responsible for all the label nights and whatever it takes to be successful as a team; she keeps an eye on our income and new projects. And if we have time, we do music together. The last release we had was 'Acid Attack', which shows how music changes with other people involved. It's the same with Deniz. He came along around five years ago. He was a fan based in the same city as I lived during that time and asked me for advice. We got along so well with each other that we kept the contact and so I helped him growing with the music and DJing. When we have time we do music together we do, like our last release 'Out of Brain', and of course we have 'men's nights' like playing Playstation or just hanging out having a beer or two. He completed our team. While Ann and I have been in this business for such a long time now, it's always good to have another fresh input.

Being Fckng Serious for a moment, what's been the funniest moment of your career?

I think when a girl as me to give her an autograph on her boobs. I mean, for every man this is exciting, fun and awkward at the same time!

What are three tracks that sum up what we're likely to hear you play at Egg?