Oliver Huntemann is a man who’s long-crafted techno blend won major plaudits in 2014. The German veteran continued his ascent through the techno sphere with killer originals like ‘Schatten’, on-point remixes (‘Shame Cube’ our personal favourite) and massive collaborations such as that with fellow industry titans Dubfire. With so much individual success in the last 12 months, the next 12 sees a shift in focus to Senso Sounds, Huntemann’s budding imprint, home to standout artists like Andreas Henneberg, Matt Sassari or Florian Gasperini. Well, we’ve a very specially surprise for WWD readers today! Oliver Huntemann joined us this week to detail his recent highlights and plans for 2014.
Hi Oliver, thanks for taking the time to answer some questions today, it’s certainly a pleasure to chat.
WWD : Lets start with the most recent events, a new release is available in the form of Play!05 -Vienna, Austria from your much famed mix series, are you happy with the end product and how it has been received?
O: I’m very happy with the final product. Restrained in praising myself, but on the basis of media, press, sales and personal exchange with other fellows, it seems that people like it!
WWD : How do you go about choosing your locations for the mixes and which has been your favourite so far?
O: Its always different. Basically I played in the club before. When it’s time to decide, where to record the next episode, I take a look back and sum up, where I enjoyed playing the most in the past? What is your favourite…? Questions are a bit tricky to answer for me. I do love mushrooms in creamy sauce, would never deny to eat them, but I wouldn’t say it’s my favourite food.
WWD : The electronic music world moves so fast these days, labels releasing on a weekly basis, and podcasts and mixes in constant circulation. Has the quality dipped and what does it take in your opinion to create a solid mix?
O: Don’t think the quality has dipped. Mathematically it’s likely the same amount of “good and bad”. It’s just harder to find the right music for oneself, as the searching increased with the flood of releases. A solid mix is like cooking, a little bit of this and that. In the end it’s about the combination of the ingredients. Dramaturgy, feeling, selection of music and mixing skills.
WWD : How do you crate dig for new material? What is it you’re looking for in new music?
O: I don’t have a secret recipe. I check my promo mails, the online stores and get stuff from friends.
WWD : You have been around since almost the emergence of techno, has that given you a more discerning ear when it comes to new music? Have you become cynical with age or more open to new music?
O: Thank god, I’m not cynical and I don’t want to become it. There’s enough “Techno-Police” out there to do this job. I’m curious and open to new music. Surprises are beautiful.
WWD : Although the beginning of the year is usually a quiet time for djs you have an action packed calender. Was BPM an important starter point for you this year? Do you ever take any holidays?
O: Funny you ask, I just returned from holidays. Been off for skiing for a week. Usually January is a bit more relaxed than this year but I wanted not to miss BPM and I must say it was the perfect kick-off for 2015.
WWD : How are things progressing on the production front? Have you been in the studio much recently?
O: Yes, I did a remix for Mark Deutsche & Musoe “Are U Ready”. I’ve signed the original about a year ago, but didn’t have an idea who to ask to do a remix. So I did it by myself. It’s out now on Senso Sounds! I’m also working with Dubfire on our next single. I hope we can finish it before WMC.
WWD : Talk to us about Senso Sounds? Why is it important for you to have label of your own? Do you have any help with the label or is it a project you manage solely?
O: It was always important for me to have things of my own. That’s a side of my character. I like to make my own decisions and not up for many compromises. I have a whole team working with me. Two permanent workers for the booking and label and some freelancers around it.
WWD : In 2015 how do you define success for a label with so much competition out there, how do you manage to distinguish yourself from the crowd?
O: I don’t. I just focus on things that are important for me and try to stay true to myself and my work. Maybe that’s one of these little secrets of success. If you wake up in the morning and happily running to your desk, you must do something right.
WWD: Finally as we are in a new year, give us one lesson you learned from 2014 and one goal of yours for 2015!
O: 2014 was mostly about launching my own booking agency Kontrast Artists and the focus for 2015 is set to bring Senso Sounds to the next level.
Follow Oliver Huntemann :
http://www.huntemann.tv/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OliverHuntemannOFC
Twitter : http://twitter.com/OliverHuntemann
Soundcloud : https://soundcloud.com/oliver-huntemann
Senso Sounds : https://www.facebook.com/sensosounds