Berlin-based producer Roman Lindau (also known for works on the likes Fachwerk and Osgut Ton) returns to Pan-Pot’s budding techno tastemaker imprint Second State with an diamond five track release titled ‘Strange Brew’. It’s a refreshing melange indeed, Lindau has crafted a selection of quirky groovers, which includes the wavering “Move” – a track you can catch in full premiere via When We Dip today. What’s more, we caught up with Roman to his two cents on the EP and lots more!
WWD: Roman, you made your first appearance on Second State’s label when you remixed Michael Klein at the beginning of this year. How did the full EP come about?
It was high time for me to release a full EP far from my home base Label Fachwerk Records. After a remix I did for Michael Klein on Second State, the guys behind the label asked “what do you think about doing a full EP for us?” We organised a label meeting with the whole crew, they were totally into my music and it didn’t take much time to make the decision. It was one of the moments I felt really comfortable with the crew and warmly received – I think that’s important. I’m nervous and curious at the same time about how people will react that usually consume the SNDST sound, because my tracks are much more underground orientated.
WWD: Have artists like Pan-Pot always been an influence to you?
I had a key moment at a Watergate open air (party) in Berlin 2 years ago, where they played an outstanding techno set and the crowd was on fire. I was impressed that these guys can also play good techno. From this point they got my attention, but I still had no contact with them. The story starts with the remix for Michael Klein on Second State. From my perspective Pan-Pot is a strong combo of 2 warmhearted and music enthusiastic guys. We share the passion of electronic music. I’m really happy and appreciate that they invited me to release on their label and looking forward to working with them in the future.
WWD: I’ve heard you that don’t use analogue equipment and that you’re a fan of sampling in your work. Tell us a bit about the making of the EP ‘Strange Brew’?
Not only analog stuff! I like the combination of both.
I’m not really thinking consciously when I’m making music. I go with the flow 🙂 I work a lot with samples. I hate the discussion about analog vs. digital. At the moment a lot of people come back to analog stuff and say, “hey look at my studio I have a lot of analog equipment – I´m a real producer”. Often when I listen to it the sound is cold, soulless and without any character. In the past I also worked with analog, but I lost myself often. One day with the development in digital producing I began to sample all my analog instruments and the workflow for me is much better now. To be honest, it is not a question of what you use! The ideas and creativity comes from your mind and not from the machines!!!
I’m influenced by so many styles of music like house, techno, funk, jazz and hip hop from the 80´s and 90´s.
With this EP I wanted to show I’m not just a straight-up techno artist. I really love to combine classic house elements with warehouse techno, I’m also a big fan of funky basslines. A good example is the first track “With my Hands” when I combined it with some acid and a blues vocal. The title track ‘Strange Brew’ is chugging organic percussion with classic Detroit house stabs creating an ideal balance between peak time mayhem and the deeper side of things. “Move” I wanted to create a combination of heavy synth lines and a soulful vocal from Omar. “After Dark” is the heaviest and deepest one. My monitors reached its limits this time 🙂 The last on the EP”Stab Incision” (only released on digital) is a good example for my trippy side.
WWD: The first track you released on Fachwerk was a hit with Osgut Ton and opened the doors for you to play Berghain. What would you say is your favourite tune to play there and what reaction do you get?
This time I was really surprised that my first released track got so much attention and Len Faki used the track in the Berghain Mix 03. After my first full EP on Fackwerk “Souligner“ in 2009 I got in contact with Ben Klock and he asked me to create an exclusive track for his Berghain Mix 04. Yeah, of course this kind of sound works there perfect. It seems that people connect my first track “Raumgestaltung“ with the sound of Berghain. In 2014 Rolling Stone Magazine created ‘the Essential Berghain Playlist’ and my track was included. The new club generation say it’s the Berghain sound, for me it’s simply Dub Techno.
WWD: Do you feel like the club has changed since the early days you used to play?
Yes! In a good and a bad way. Berghain made a major contribution to the electronic music scene in the world and the club is still a really good address in Berlin. The building is perfect!
Today I don’t like the hype of it – sometimes the party people think the DJ performs miracles there, but it’s the same music as elsewhere. That’s why there are people waiting for a highlight the whole night instead of partying with the music and going with the flow. It’s more and more fancy to go there. Fashion plays more and more of a role there now. It’s still great to play there, but it’s not the only address for me anymore. Also tourists think it’s part of sightseeing in Berlin. A lot of them usually don’t listen to techno, they just want to see that all the stories that are told about Berghain are true. Naked people, people in disguise making up in darkrooms etc.
WWD: As well as Second State and Fachwerk, your productions and remixes have appeared on an impressive run of labels including NRK, EarToGround and CLR. What’s next in the pipeline?
I’m proud to announce 2 more EPs this year on the imprint RAWAX from Frankfurt/Germany, which will be more dubby stuff. At the beginning of the next year a track with a good friend Roberto from London will appear on his label Fossil Archive. It’s a techno stomper, plus I’m working on a new remix.
Release Date set for September 23rd, 2016.
Pre-order now: http://www.decks.de/t/roman_lindau-strange_brew_ep/c7t-kw
Follow: @secondstateaudio // @romanlindau