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1. Hello, Oliver Huntemann! Thank you for your kindness and for your time assented to this talk. How are you?
I am doing great. Just busy promoting the album which is not as fun as making music but not too bad either.
2. I know that ‘Ideal Audio’ imprint will release your fourth album called ‘Paranoia’. This album is set to reaffirm your status as a true techno exponent. To make the release even more special, there will be a free bonus DVD with an accompanying set of videos. Please tell us more about this release and your collaborations with André Winter (co-producer), Robert Owens and Ane Trolle (vocals).
Paranoia is my fourth artist album, just released on Ideal Audio. What I tried to do differently with this album is that I wanted to tell a story with all the tracks. The idea behind it is that all tracks have one common topic – paranoia – and they portray all kinds of emotions. You have everything in the album from ecstacy to total doomness.
André Winter is actually my co-producer, he is not really a collaborator on the album. I have been working with him on my tracks for several years now. He is an amazing professional and knows all the secrets behind the gadgets. Perfect combination between him and me.
The vocalists on the album are a different story. I’m a huge fan of Robert Owens. He won me many years ago when I heard songs by him such as “I’ll Be Your Friend”. He has a great voice. And when I thought of him doing vocals, I was really happy when I realized that a friend of mine is doing his management in Germany. So the initial contact was really easy. After sending him the playback he was immediately up to work with me.
Ane Trolle also came into my mind when I was working on the first version of “Wahnfried”. I know her voice from Trentemoeller’s music and I thought she could be perfect for that song. The vocals she delivered is exactly what I hoped for. Ane is such a fantastic singer. I am extremely happy with both artists.
3. What brings new your album? How would you convince the people that ‘Paranoia’ really deserves to be heard?
First of all, it is musically versatile from my previous ones. This is my most experimental album in the sense that I ventured into different styles that came together under the Paranoia umbrella. Second, there is a bonus DVD that comes with the CD. It features videos on every single track from the album. My label and I commissioned different independent video artists who had the complete freedom to work with their assigned track. We got directors from all over the place – Hannah Hlavacek from Germany, Boris Nikolov from Bulgaria, Manuel Nogueira from Brazil and many more. The results are simply amazing. And third, the product itself. The cover and the booklet of the CD is a work of art itself and very valuable.
‘Paranoia’ @ Beatport
4. Have you a favourite track from this album?
I would not say I have a favorite track. I like all of them, that is why they made it to the album. Plus I do not really want to prime the reader into thinking that one track is better than the other just because I thought so!
5. Oliver Huntemann is definitely a brand of the electronic music. You have been for a long time in the music industry and still keeping up, you don’t seem to be tired of it. How did you manage to do it? How did you reinvented?
I am far from getting tired. I absolutely love my job, I love the traveling part, meeting new people, checking out new places, it is great. And thanks to all this variety I manage to actually reinvent myself as you put it. All these constant new experiences and exposure to different scenes and cultures helps me get new ideas and stay on top of my game in a way.
6. Do you regret any decision made during your career? If you could to give back the time, how would you straighten it?
I concentrate on the present and do not really live in the past. Of course, I learn from my mistakes, but I do not spend time wondering what if. It is not really productive and constructive.
7. What is your opinion about house music nowdays from its quality point of view?
Well, technology has advanced so much nowadays. This naturally helps with making the sound really crisp and clear, but at the same time this same progress allows inexperienced artists to produce and sell music which sound superficial. However, I would say that house music and generally electronic music is quite good nowadays, there are so many talented artists out there.
8. What are the influences of your style as a DJ? Where do you fit?
New school with an old school attitude. That’s why I use Traktor Scratch Pro with vinyl control. The best of both worlds with all possibilities to create a hot night.
9. Regarding the musical creation, what are the main influences? Where are you inspiring from when you produce a track?
Everything and anything can inspire me.
10. In your opinion, who’s the best: Oliver Huntemann the DJ or Oliver Huntemann the Producer?
I really enjoy both sides of my job. They complete each other. In the studio I get to create tracks that I imagine people grooving to and behind the decks I can actually test them. So it is really hard to tell who is better than the other. The two Olivers just work together.
11. Which was the best event that you have played?
I have been blessed with maaany great events so I really cannot just pick one. But on top of my mind the Technoparade in Paris in 2007 was amazing, something I would never forget. Playing the Rekorder 10.1 in front of so many people and seeing them really enjoying and feeling the music is an indescribable feeling. The Kazantip Festival in Ukraine is also always great fun. D-Edge Club in Sao Paolo, another of my all time favorite venues in the world. As you can see it is really hard for me to just pick one gig.
12. Your favourite producer.
There are many great producers I admire but I can’t and don’t want name only one or just few.
13. Which equipment do you use?
Mac PPC, Logic Studio, Arturia, Albino, Finalizer, Mackie Speakers…
14. Favourite piece of equipment / gadget.
The brandnew Paranoia Remiix App for iPad and Smartphones.
15. Please recommend us some ‘must listen’ tracks.
If you are asking me for great tunes to listen to and not necessarily dance ones, try these: Craig Armstrong – The Space Between Us, Leftfield – Leftism, Portishead – Roseland NYC Live.
16. Why do you think most of the teenagers nowdays want to become a DJ?
Because it is a great job, isn’t it? I guess some see it as easy money and really fun lifestyle, but they do not realize that it also has its disadvantages and it is a job like every other one. It has its positive and its negative sides. You need to be really into music and very passionate to become successful in this field.
17. What is your advice for young DJs that are just at the start of a DJ life?
Be patient and be ready to invest lots of time in your career. Nothing comes to you just like this, you have to work hard to achieve your goals. Do not give up, just be perseverant. Dreams do come true!
Oliver Huntemann (Paranoia Live Tour!) Hollywood / El Paso
Oliver Huntemann – Hope (feat. Robert Owens)
Oliver Huntemann – Magnet
Oliver Huntemann – Phantom
Oliver Huntemann – Dark Passenger
Oliver Huntemann – In Times Of Trouble
Interview made by Adriana L.L. © 2011 Music – News Romania. All rights reserved.
