Barem is the next big thing or he already is…

Mauricio Barembuem aka Barem aka the best thing that has happened to the underground scene since Plastikman, perfectly personifies the new breed of electronic musician who has grown up in the digital age, using intuitive software programs like Reason and Ableton to spontaneously express ideas and emotions.


Barem grew up in Argentina and deciding to become a techno producer/DJ in a city as Buenos Aires was easier said than done. The equipment was very expensive and gigs were few and far between. It was very frustrating and he was close to quitting a few times but he found the right people at the right time and the solid advice they gave kept him motivated and focussed on his goal.


His relationship with Minus (soon to be available on DJdownload .. horrayyyy!!!) began in November 2005 when he met Richie Hawtin in Buenos Aires who also showed a lot of interest in his work and encouraged him to submit some demos, one of which – Opal – appeared on the Min2Max LP to more critical acclaim.


Needless to say, that was followed by a period of non-stop touring in the US and Europe as word got around and demand for his live performance grew. Then at the end of 2007, the release of his superb debut EP for Minus - Never Better Than Late – really cemented his strong personal and artistic connection with the label, representing another major achievement in his short but intense journey so far…


And he is probably one of the reasons why I love my job so much (I won’t go into details but for obvious reasons) and for someone who has the whole package, the talent,the passion, the brain, the looks -ok we’ll stop there - he is incredibly grounded which makes us admire him even more… So for all the right reasons we’ve harrased and abused Barem with our endless questions…


Who or what has been the biggest influence?
Plastikman,Richie Hawtin, Ricardo Villalobos


What was your first big breakthrough as an act? What would you rate as the best experience that you’ve had in the music scene so far?
My first U.S. tour back in 2006. The best experience was Mutek Montreal in 2008.




What’s the first record you bought?
Pop Culture by DJ Dozia


What have been up to lately and what can we expect from you over the next couple of months?
Just touring a lot. Now heading back to South America for some more touring but mostly to be home, rest and make music.


Which one do you enjoy the most, Djing or producing?
Djing


What do you see as your main strengths as a producer?
That I go straight to the point and I always try to keep it simple.




What can people expect from your live show?
I’m only djing at the moment. Groovy Basslines, organic vibes and a lot of soul.


What’s the key to getting noticed?
There are many ways… but I always recommend people to be patient and wait till they come to you instead of bugging everybody.


When and where was your best gig?
Impossible to pick one… There are just too many good ones for many different reasons. But I could pick Womb, Tokyo this year, cause it was my first time in Japan and I’ve always wanted to go there.


Who is your all time musical hero?
I have 4: Jim Morrison / David Gilmour / Stevie Ray Vaughan / Angus Young


Worst Gig?
A festival in Germany in 2007 where the police took the guy who was driving me to the station for being drunk and I was left alone in the middle of nowhere under the rain for 2 hours. But the gig was actually pretty good


What makes a party good & bad?
Good: Lots of pretty girls, good sound, nice location, nice lights, good drinks, nice friends.
Bad: Only guys, bad sound, bad location, annoying lights, drinks made with cheap vodka, no friends.





What’s more important. The mix or the next tune?
It depends on the moment and the party.


What’s your current take on the dance scene?
We’re in the middle of a big transition. Everything is a bit unstable, tons of new artists, labels, but less people understanding what’s all about.


What’s the biggest crowd you’ve played to?
10.000


What’s the most ridiculous promotional thing you’ve done?
I’m pretty shy, so I don’t do promotional things that I find ridiculous… it could be fun though! I’ll keep it in mind.


Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Running a Bar or a Hotel at the Beach


Where do you go out?
Outdoor clubs in Berlin, Indoor Clubs in Berlin, Bars and Restaurants all over the world.


What do you think of the superstar DJ phenomenon?
I don’t support the superstar DJ thing. A DJ should be part of the crowd. But I think most crowds make that impossible, by thinking of DJs as superstars.


What do you think about dj mag’s top100 poll?
A great tool to sell DJs for a lot of money in countries where most people are ignorant about electronic music. I’m totally against it.


Do you think the club scene is a closed shop with regard to new DJs getting heard?
Now it is, ’cause most promoters have no money to take risks on booking new artists. When I started traveling in 2006, it was very cool and open. But unfortunately, a lot of the promoters who booked me back then stopped throwing parties or went bankrupt due to the economic crisis.


Is there a different reaction in clubs from different countries across the globe?
Yes, there are, but it depends on who plays, how he or she plays and where. It also changes all the time with trends.


Do you have a favourite place or somewhere where you get the best reaction?
I think Zurich is my favourite city to play.


Is there an all-time favourite track you wish you’d produced?
Dexter by Ricardo Villalobos.


How does your producing process go?
I usually start from scratch. But I like sound banks ’cause they allow me to work fast and not lose the main idea. I always try to make fast loops, put them in a live set arrangement and record it on the go, to keep a nice flow.


What was the party that affected you a lot?
South American Music Conference in Buenos Aires 2004. That was the first time I heard Richie Hawtin and Magda play. They changed my whole perspective.


Which is more appealing to you while djing - to dig out a relatively old track, or play the newest release?
To try to mix both.


What is the most interesting comment you have heard about your music?
It wasn’t a comment, but once a guy came to me after I played and he couldn’t talk much ’cause he was crying. It was very interesting and beautiful to realize that I could generate such a strong reaction on somebody with dance music.




Is it the technique that is important? Or the selection or the looks or the moves?
I would say first selection, then technique, looks and moves go together last. But they are important as well.


Is there something that you don’t like about this scene or things that pissed you off along the way?
I don’t like people who just criticize others without a good reason, just to feel better with themselves. I also don’t like how fake and superficial it gets sometimes.


What’s the single most exciting thing about dance music at the moment in your opinion?
That today a lot more people all over the world can listen to it and create new music. Internet and cheaper access to computers made it possible.


Who’s been your favourite musician or producer that you have worked with over the years?
I almost never worked with anybody in the studio… But I would pick Someone Else and Jorge Savoretti


What inspires you?
Hard to tell… I think I never thought about it. It just happens or not. It can be anything!


Are you afraid of piracy?
Yes and no. I used to get a lot of pirate music when I had money to buy only 2 records a month and thank to it, I got to know and mix a lot of other music that inspired me and made me who I am today. I also believe that thank to piracy we get to be listened by a way wider range of people. But I’m afraid it’s killing small labels, which also kills a lot of good music and producers. It’s very tricky.


I would love people with enough money to support the scene buy buying records and people with no money / access, to get it for free.

Who is rocking your boat these days? What DJ’s and producers are doing it for you these days?


Producers: all the Oslo guys, Martinez, Mathias Kaden, Ronan Portela, Nima Gorji, D’Julz, Paul Ritch.


Djs: Federico Molinari, Jorge Savoretti, Marco Carola, Paco Osuna, Richie Hawtin.


Live: Gaiser, Mathias Kaden, Tolga Fidan, Stimming.


all lists are way bigger than that though. Just to name you a few.


If you could have anyone remix any of your tracks, who would it be and why?
It depends a lot on the track, but I would like that person to be a friend and somebody i respect a lot. For example, my next record will be remixed by Paul Ritch and Jorge Savoretti who are 2 of my favorite producers at the moment, and both good friends.


I’d love Marco Carola and D’Julz to remix me too… maybe in the future!


Which dj would you most like to punch and why?
Any trance DJ who thinks he’s a god.


What is the magic hangover cure?
Bloody Mary



What’s the lowest thing you’ve done to flog a record?
I never flog records


What’s going to be the next big thing in music?
I’m scared to know.


If you ever walk around the house in pants and slippers and what do you listen to?
Brazilian Music or Reggae.


Was there a moment when you knew you wanted to make music your life?
When I found out I didn’t need a band.


What is the biggest amount of drugs you’ve ever been offered?
a bag with 50 pills.


What is the craziest after party you’ve ever been to or played at?
Punta Del Este, Uruguay, at the beginning of this year. It was in the middle of nowhere with a fat sound system and lots of crazy and cool people.


Where’s your favourite place to play
At the Beach





How do you handle obsessive groupies? (The hot ones)
I take them home and then deal with the obsession somehow.


Then how do you handle obsessive groupies? (The ugly ones)
I have many ways but I’m not gonna tell you just in case some of them read this and find out.


And then how do you handle obsessive groupies? (The guys)

I ask them a lot of confusing questions. They usually don’t know how to deal with it for some reason.


What’s your best tip for getting money out of dodgy promoters?
I can’t tell you… same reason as the ugly girls


Which is your personal favourite track that you’ve produced & why?
Suki. ‘Cause it was the first track that DJ’s played. And it’s so simple… just 6 sounds i think.


What would you say is the most difficult aspect of music production?
Evolving.


What are your favourite production tools /gadgets?
cigarettes


What do you think about this whole minimal craze and do you support that?
It was very cool for some years and then it became massive. But as a DJ who plays minimal among other things and as a producer with a minimalist approach is good. It allowed me to travel a lot and make a living out of this.


What’s your all time favourite tune?
The End, by The Doors.


What are the top five most listened to tracks/songs on your iPod?
Dire Straits - Six Blade Knife

Joao Gilberto - Dasafinado

Pink Floyd - Echoes

The Doors - The Soft Parade

Jimmy Hendrix - Little Wing (Stevie Ray Vaughan’s version)


If you had to do something different what do you think you would end up doing?
Probably running a small business. Like a hotel or a restaurant. Something where I already have a lot of experience as a customer and where I can be my own boss.


Who would be part of your fantasy crowd?
Avril Lavigne. I hate her music but she’s super hot.


What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
To always be honest, but constructive.


If there is one rule in life to live by, what is it?
Never ever refer to football as soccer. It drives me crazy when people do that.


What is your top tune of the moment?
Nekes - apartment 4.4. (on love letters from oslo)


How much would I have to stump up for you to play my cousin’s birthday in a few weeks?
It depends on how hot are her and her friends


What destroys music?
Haters


What keeps it alive?
Passion


What are your plans for the rest of the year in terms of production and general music related business?
I’m trying to make an album… But I’ve been trying for 2 years now. So I hope I can finally do it this time.


What is your aim as a producer, what ambitions have you got?
Just make music when I feel like it, and be happy. But I’d love to be remembered. But I’m afraid being remembered is getting harder and harder with today’s way of listening to music.


Any news, updates, new productions, events, etc that you would like people to know about?
I’m releasing a record on Foundsound Records soon. It’ll probably be out in January. Just one track with remixes. But I love still being a part of that beautiful label. I’m also releasing a remix for F.U.S.E. (one of plastikman aliases) for a big Plus8 remix release.




What’s the perfect holiday for you?
Beach, long drinks, palm trees, friends.


How would you want to die?
I don’t wanna make that call… I’m a bit superstitious.


Do you believe a good life is attainable? Or is it something that is out of our control i.e. subject to luck etc.
Some of it is subject to luck, but once you get lucky and you have opportunities you gotta do a lot to make it happen. And you also have to be happy in the process, which has not always been easy for me.


What attracts you most?
Water, mostly the ocean


Who was your hero as a child?
Diego Maradona


What’s good about the UK?
Scotch


What’s been your most extravagant purchase?
I’m pretty good at not doing that. I usually buy only things I need. I’m against stupid consumption by both economic and ecological reasons.


What’s the last thing you bought on eBay?
I never bought anything there. I kind of have to see what I buy in person.


What was your worst ever job?
My only other job was searching and selling antiques. And it was very cool actually. Apart from that I’ve only been in school and worked on music. So I can’t complain.


If you had your own chat show, who would be your first guest?
Guy Ritchie


What do you do for fun?
Surfing


If you had only six months to live, what would you do first?
What’s with you and death!? hmmm, I guess I would get very scared.


What are you most proud of in your life?
My parents.


Who do you admire most?
Anybody who has a lot of power and doesn’t get corrupted.


If you had to pick one car, which would it be?
I like BMW’s. They’re really beautiful. But I’m not really into cars, so I can’t tell you a specific model.


If you could pick anyone dead or alive to have lunch with, who would it be?
Bob Marley


What is the meaning of life?
A great movie by the Pythons.


What is your biggest turn off?
A hairy girl.


If you could have one super human power what would you choose?
Teleportation


Your favourite movie of all time?
Big Lebowski


Favourite Rapper
I never liked rappers. I respect them, but not they’re not my thing.


If you could time travel, what would be your first stop?
Las Vegas in the 60’s


Can you cook? If so - what?
I’m not a great cook, but I can cook a lot of things. My I’m pretty good at Argentinean BBQ’s. It’s a hard thing to learn actually.


What was your last thought?
I thought about what I was good at cooking.


When was the last time you got so drunk you threw up?
About a year ago coming back from Club Der Vissionaere in Berlin. I try to avoid it ’cause it’s very painful.


What is your favourite TV show?
South Park


Favourite actor
Robert De Niro


Are you obsessed about anything?
Football


Define yourself in 3 words
I am lazy.


If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
A small island in the South Pacific


What is your favourite word?
Flow


What’s your No.1 chat-up line?
I suck at that… Thank god I’m a DJ and they usually ask me something first. Once it’s going I’m pretty good.


If you were trying to seduce someone, what three songs would you put on a tape?
If I was trying to seduce someone, the last thing I would do is send a tape! That’s pretty old fashioned.


What makes you cry? What makes you laugh?
Cry: Breaking up, some movies, and getting kicked out of the world cup.


Laugh: Being drunk, really Bizarre situations, lots of movies, family guy and 2.000 other things. I laugh a lot.


What’s your worst habit?
Smoke cigarettes.


If you were an animal in the wild, what would you be?
A sloth.


If you could time travel to the past to correct any mistakes you feel you’ve made would you?
Of course! But I would save that card for the future. Just in case some day i really screw it up.


Original source: earworm by djdownload.com - Barem is the next big thing or he already is…

a fucking men

Todo re bieeeen con Mauricio, es un fenomeno.
Pero es una fucking bomba de marketing lo que lo eleva tanto.
Minus tiene un circo armado muuuuy groso.