Seph interview before touring China (Feb 2010)

1. You’re one of the few Argentinean music exports that come to China. What’s the electronic music scene like in your hometown of Buenos Aires?

The city has a huge scene that revolves around many styles such as techno, electro, trance and progressive house, the latter being the main one. There are many clubs, underground and mainstream, and the listening and clubbing crowd is just enormous. The underground artists and clubs are great, full of innovative ideas that are constantly being developed, with a lot of techno artists involved in other musical art forms such as sound art, noise... One of the best clubs is Cocoliche -- you definitely have to go there if you want a good taste of the life and people.

2. You made a remix of ELVIS.T’s “Schranz is gone?”, what do you think of the original mix? And how would you describe your own personal mark in the new remix?

I dig the original! I only remix tracks that I honestly like or think that the sounds would be fun to work with. I definitely liked the beat of the original and found some of the motifs interesting to juggle with. I guess my mix is marked by a deeper and more mysterious atmosphere; I tried to keep some of the essential motifs of the original, just moving in a more tech-funky direction.

3. Which is your favorite remix work you’ve done so far? And if you can remix any song from the history of music, which would it be and why?

Well, the latest remixes I’ve made are some of my favourites so far. Just like the ELVIS.T remix, I’ve also just finished a remix of Mekaz and Pablo Denegri's Chakal EP, on Igloo-Rec (Argentina), and a remix of a track by Tim Sensient for Open Records (Australia). Each one of the three has a completely different vibe, and I’m happy with the feedback I’m getting. I suppose they’re my favourites up until now just because they are the newest, and I usually dislike my old productions...

From the history of music! Wow...it’s a tough one actually, because when I think about it, I could name you great songs or tracks that I’ve always been in love with, but they are so good that any remix work would be pointless. Sometimes I think that when a great track is remixed, it gets all of these different influences that have nothing to do with the original, and in the end the outcome is senseless and even insulting to the original. But, if you nailed me to the wall I’d have to say I’d love to work with any of Bjork's tracks from her Vespertine album, anything from Michael Jackson's Thriller or Dangerous albums, any track from Radiohead, or any song from Aphex Twin's Ambient Works Vol. 2...

4. Chinese DJ-producers are always asked: “is there a China sound in your work?” You’re from Argentina, is there an Argentina/South America sound in your music? Ethnic elements can spice up a track but can also be forced into it unnaturally to have a “selling point”. How do you keep the balance between a personal style and a regional style?

I really don’t think about an Argentinian sound in my productions. In fact, I wouldn’t be able to tell if there’s something regional in my music or in any of my Argentinian friends' music. There must be something there, because people say this-and-that about the Argentinian sound, but from the inside it’s quite difficult to tell. Of course I can feel the warmth of South America in some grooves, and some melodies from my tracks could remind you or give you a hint of Tango, but it’s not that the sound can’t be traced in loads of different cultures from around the world. What I can tell you is that there is definitely a more experimental approach in Argentinian techno than usual. And right now there are so many amazing artists emerging...

5. How do you play the two different roles of DJing and producing?

I don’t DJ, when I perform I do live sets, composed only of my music. In that sense, as a techno producer I’m always struggling to make something different sound-wise but that would also work on a dance floor. It’s even better when I can make something weird that would work on a more demanding, commercial dance floor. I’d love to start DJing though, I just need some decks and time. Oh, and discipline...to keep me away from videogames...

6. You are going to play a live set at Lantern, how does it sound differently from a DJ set?

The difference is that it’s all going to be Seph music; there won’t be any records spinning. It will be a techno set, with hints of minimal and tech house, most likely.

My live set is composed of loops and ideas from my music only, and I will play it with my laptop, midi controller and sound card. I might also use a small piece of equipment such as a kick drum module...

7. We just celebrated the Chinese New Year here, 2010 is the Year of Tiger, and you’re a Tiger right? The forecast says “you are prone to the woes that rash decisions may bring, so it’s most important to keep a sharp and clear mind. You need to take extra care in planning and thinking things through.” So what is your plan for 2010?

My new album will finally be released this year, in September. I’ve been working on it for two years now and it’s finally taking a more solid shape. I’m still making a few more tracks. The difficult thing is to make a proper track list; ordering and arranging my techno tracks with the more ambient or electronica songs, in a cool and smooth way, is an art in itself. The album will spin a few tours around the world in the next year, in Europe, the Americas and Asia. I will also probably release an EP at some point.

8. According to Chinese tradition, you are supposed to be wearing red underwear all year long for good luck. Do you have yours yet?

I don’t! But I’ll make sure to buy some at the airport!


Source: Interview: DJ Seph Plays LIVE at Lantern this Saturday Beijing Beijing Blogs The Beat - BJ Nightlife - City Weekend Guide