Germany’s obviously a great place to look if you’re a fan of techno, house and trance in particular. But live soul & jazz with a mad crazy hip-hop twist? Forgive us, we didn’t know they had it going on. Briefly gracing the wonderful Sonar Kollektiv label some years ago, this 7-piece live outfit mix fiery brass with dope hip-hop beats and sampling techniques to make a smoky, hazy, deep sound that we can’t get enough off. Their debut album Vulgarian Knights is out now and is one of our favourites of the year. It makes us want to go and search out some little side-street speakeasy in Berlin and curl up in a corner with a bottle of red and some cheap cigarettes (and I don’t even smoke). With one foot tapping all the while, of course. A big deal in their homeland, they’ll go down smooth with anyone who’s on the whole Gilles Peterson tip. And that should include all of you.
How and when were you first infected by dance music ?
Back in our youth we all fell in love with hip-hop which led automatically to a strong passion with electronic music. And then we saw The Prodigy on MTV in the ‘90s.
When did you start making music / producing, and how long was it before you started making tracks that you were really happy with?
We make music together since 10 years and since approximately 4 years we found our very own Krautclub style.
What have been your personal favourite tracks / productions so far?
Our stunning debut Vulgarian Knights.
Where does your name come from?
We once tried to make an action movie about two superheroes fighting about a polynomial algebra problem. The plot was kind of complicated so we gave it up. To make the best out of the bad job we named our band after one of the superheroes – ‘Feindrehstar’
Who would you most like to work with?
Beethoven.
What have you got ins tore for the coming months ?
We just finished recording some brand new tracks for a new EP at the Jazzanova Studios in Berlin. And we promote our album live on festivals and clubs.
What can we expect from one of your live set s ?
Euphoria.
If you weren’t a DJ/producer/artists, what would you be?
Either superhero or mathematician. Or an unemployed mathematician-superhero.
Which other producers and DJs and artists do you really rate?
Soulphiction, Jackmate, John Peel, Das Krause Duo, Jazzanova DJs, Theo Parrish and Tony Allen.