The Sorry Entertainer Interview

Situated on the banks of the River Spree, at Kater Blau you can party all day long from Saturday to Monday to the sound of the latest electronic music. Their UK edition Rumpelkammer, which next takes place at Egg London's Berlin Berlin on Saturday 21st January, fuses ‘Berlin creative mixed with street art’ and a wild house/techno soundtrack.

Channelling the Blau experience is mainstay of the Berlin scene Ruede Hagelstein, resident at Watergate and a renown promoter and DJ/producer. Having released music on labels such as Watergate, Upon You Rec, Souvenir Music, Noir Music, Keinemusik, Freude am Tanzen, Systematic, Bedrock and Suara, he's craved out a unique position in the city’s electronic music scene.

He's joined by the riotous The Sorry Entertainer who promises anything can happen in his long, extravagant DJ sessions.

Completing the Rumpelkammer line is resident Peter Schumann, known for minimal grooving beats and a colourful variety of house sounds utilising his Platte International, a strictly limited imprint that’s only vinyl only. 

Ahead of Berlin Berlin this Saturday, tickets and full info here, Nicky Trax caught up with The Sorry Entertainer.

Welcome to our Berlin Berlin party and your first time at Egg London. What can people that have never heard of you expect on the night?

A lot of fun and excitement from my side I would say: tons of fun, euphoric vibes and some disco stories. I also hope to face a pretty much open and curious audience. It is my first time in London so I’m very excited! 

How did you come to chose your name The Sorry Entertainer and is there a story behind it?

The Sorry Entertainer is a song by the singer/songwriter legend, Daniel Johnston.

You’re quite a wild dresser. Where do you get your inspiration from? Who are your style and entertainer icons and why?

You know, as a performing artist I see myself not just as a DJ but more as a storyteller. I guess my style is an expression also of my personal story and humour was always a big part of it. In the last decade I’ve loaded up on inspiration from movies and TV series and tried to adapt some stories, characters and performances into my acts. This is my way of creating an authentic and timeless way of telling stories and expressing myself honestly.

How did you first start in the music business? Can you tell us about some of your key clubs, people and events on your journey that inspired you along the way?

I grew up alongside the young festival scene in the middle of the '90s. But the real club life I got to sample and learn during the Bar25 times and afterwards in Kater Holzig. This is where I could develop my personal artistic statement and grow together with the community of people around this place. Kater Blau eventually became my home base and my musical laboratory, where I can experiment and try different things.

You've been part of the Bar 25 and Kater Blau families: can you please tell us about these residencies and why they’re so special?

They always try to create something new and don’t copy others, just like me!

Berlin is such an iconic artistic city. Why do you think its become such a centre for clubbing? What gives it that edge and how do you think its changed over the time you’ve been in the city?

After the wall came down, Berlin was the perfect place for creating something new, something peaceful and modern. and techno was born with all of its children.

What projects are you currently working including new music?

I’m working on a new format called ’The Basics Of Paradox’. iIt’s built up like a TV series and it’s segmented into diverse episodes. The first episode has been online for a few months. 

In 2017 I’m planing to work on a new album with a new producer, an old friend of mine and an outstanding musician. I’m very happy about this new collaboration, so stay tuned. It’ll be exciting. 

Are there any producers, labels or DJs that inspire you right now?

For my music I always try not to copy and play someone else’s tunes but to think outside the box, discover unusual and unknown stuff and cook my ‘individual soup’ out of this. I love to be the first to serve some unexpected and unconventional ‘dishes’ to my audience. 

And lastly what should we be listening to before we head out to Berlin Berlin at Egg London on January 21st?

I would recommend my last recording at Zero in NYC. Have fun and I’ll see you on the night.

The Sorry Entertainer joins Ruede Hagelstein and Peter Schumann in the Kater Kant floor at Berlin Berlin alongside Okain, Andre Galluzzi, Sisyphos’ Jonty Skrufff, Fidelity Kastrow and Juli.N More and wild performances on Saturday January 21st at Egg London. All info on egglondon.co.uk