What are some of the biggest misconceptions and myths about DJing?
Well it seems to be every boy`s dream to become a DJ, get rich, snag the girls and travel around the world. But it’s a lot more than that. The good thing about playing music is that you constantly have to find new music. You simply don`t want to repeat yourself too much—therefore you stay open towards the music of other people. It is very much about experience and being able to project a feeling to the audience through music. At the end of the day, it looks like child`s play even though there is a lot of work behind it.
What music did you listen to as a teenager and how has it affected the music you make?
It started with the record collection of our parents; they had a lot of classical music. A friend’s father owned an incredible jazz collection where we were happy to discover great things like the whole CTI catalogue—everything from Herbie Hancock to AC Jobim. And we are into 60s and 70s rock history too and love bands like the Doors, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Emerson, Lake and Palmer. Then the big black jazz-funk-soul universe come along and what a fantastic world that was and still is .We remember the first time we heard “Summer Madness” by Kool & The Gang—that had such a strong effect on us. Artists like Serge Gainsbourg, stranger stuff from Brian Eno and of course cosmic music influenced us. And when the dub reggae thing came along that opened a lot of doors too.
As music connoisseurs, what attracts you to a particular track?
It is more the feel of the track that hits us. We will then listen in more detail and would find a defined reason but in the beginning you just feel it.
How do you craft setlists?
Well honestly there is no real setlist—the key is to know your tracks very well—then you are able to place them at the right time with full effect. Now, there is such a wave of new music being released all the time that it is rather important to cut your selection down to a minimum. And then again the more you play, the better you can test the reaction of the audience to the tracks. Music always sounds completely different, or has another effect, in a club than in your studio or at home.
Greatest non-musical influences?
Probably films from the likes of Jim Jarmusch, Sofia Coppola, David Lynch, as well as classics like Chinatown, Apocalypse Now and Blade Runner. Art, photos, books and graphic design. And just life in its permanent up and downs. But it’s important to filter, pick out the positive and chuck the crap.
Chill out with Kruder & Dorfmeister at Avalon GP Season Pre-Race Party on September 24, 9pm. Avalon, Marina Bay Sands, Crystal Pavilion South, 2 Bayfront Ave., 6597-8309. $88-203.
