Long interview in Beijing magazine “This is Beijing!”
Well. Interviews are a funny thing at times… specially when they get shortened. But this is very exciting- out of all places, there are a few articles and interviews that are published in Beijing magazines and newspapers about me, due to my upcoming performance. And it’s quite overwhelming that a 12 hour flight away, people take enough interest in what i do to fly me all the way out there. Expect a looong blog entry and many pictures upon return…
You can find the original article here.
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DJ Glitterbug:Falling Down the Rabbit-Hole
Straight from Cologne, Germany into the dark depths of White Rabbit, DJGlitterbug, a.k.a. Till Rohmann, brings his long awaited debut album Supershelter to Beijing. It’s his first time spinning in China.
Supershelter’s twelve tracks are an elegant concoction of deep house, abstract electronica and techno. But it’s the unexpected mix of orchestral arrangements, industrial snare and gritty sounds that makes Glitterbug’s “shelter” so inviting. that’s interviewed the festival organizer/peace activist DJ about his upcoming show at White Rabbit on the 17th.
What music are you listening to right now?
It’s a bit embarrassing, but these days I mostly listen to new tracks of mine. I’m working on two new EPs (being released this autumn) and a new album (for next spring). Taking tracks out of the studio and listening to them mid-production helps to make sense of the music.
What inspires your music and DJing?
Everything! Life, social dynamics, art, and, of course, music of all kinds.
How would you describe the sounds in your debut album Supershelter?
Supershelter is a hybrid of techno and house, and other influences — from experimental electronica to expressionist orchestral arrangements and some indie rock without rock (as somebody wrote in a review).
Why do you/we need a “shelter”? What can music protect us from?
Art and music are powerful forces that help us relate to the world in new ways. But horrible injustices happen on this planet — like war and inequality — that we need protection from. Supershelter is somewhat of a self-contained world, and I made it for those hopeful moments post-nuclear fallout.
Which track best represents Supershelter’s concept?
For me, Supershelter is best listened to in one sitting. The album tries to push the boundaries of club music, introducing new ideas and moods [to the genre], but is also danceable.
You’re a man of many trades working in many mediums. You’ve composed music for films and experimental radio plays, created video and audio installations, curated exhibitions, held lectures and organized events. How do all these influence your music?
Just as my music is a strange hybrid, so is the rest of my life. Many years I suffered from not really knowing where I belonged, until I realized I can’t fight who I am. My art and music benefit from the many projects I’m involved in. Be it as an artist, musician, DJ or curator, I always try to [combine] different content, contexts and concepts. My music mirrors this.
You’ve become a staple in the Israeli electronic music scene. Why Israel?
It happened by chance when I was invited for a performance there years back. Being a German in Israel, aware of the painful history that connects both countries, left me with many questions. I met many wonderful people and artists who became important and close friends. Mutual interest and curiosity lead to the development of the c.sides Festival for Electronic Music and Media Art (that I initiated, curated and produced together with Israeli artist Ronni Shendar).
Are you a promoter of peace through music?
I certainly hope I can do my humble share.
After Supershelter, what’s new in your set? What styles are you spinning these days?
I have been a DJ for 15 years now, and this influences what I spin. I work with music from the last 20 years of house and techno (and music totally off those charts), and favor melodic materials that make crowds scream. A recent article described me as a master of slow motion raving. I play at a low speed between 120 and 126 BPM — a mixture between playing somewhat live and traditional DJing. I love long mixes that still treat the tracks as tracks and not just tools.
What can we expect from you at White Rabbit?
I’m really excited about being in China for the first time. I love playing in front of a fresh, hungry crowd. I’m playing a long three-turntable DJ set, and promise to share my heart with everybody that joins us that night.