Interview | Chrome Music

#ChromeSelects: Achtabahn

By Marki November 3, 2015

We’re a bit late, but Toby has met Achtabahn last week before they’ve played on our last ChromeMusic Night.

1) What´s behind the name Achtabahn?

We had an exciting time beginning of 2014, live was a bit like a rollercoaster-ride, ups and downs, even a kind of loop – we thought about this mood when we chose the name Achtabahn for our new common project – Achterbahn means rollercoaster in German

2) Can you explain what your genre of House music is?

We were in the studio and built new tracks (wouldn’t call it work J) the basic thing is indeed spontaneity, we follow the instinct of the moment and love the influence of different genres, our current single f.i. bears a significant reggae-flavor. And we steadily love to jam with new people, singer or musicians with good or better excellent skills. Our studio-door is always open and meanwhile the guys outside know this and use it. + we run a fantastic international network via the known social-media platforms.

3) What’s your dream festival to play?

Tomorrowland wouldn’t be so bad

4) What kind of personal routine is important to you?

Our routine is some kind of hyperactivity – mostly “on” and active – rarely “off” and passive

5) What artists do you draw on for your influence?

Our most recognized artists are possibly the Kalkbrenner-Brothers, a bit strange as their music is very different to what we do but somehow they influenced us with their timeless music

6) Five artists you follow on spotify, soundcloud, hypem, facebook, instagram (can be anything from a drug guru to a yoga instructor :)

Paul Kalkbrenner, Format B , Notorious Big , Robin Schulz

7) Which song do you sing under the shower when nobody can hear you?

Heino – Blau blüht der Enzian

8) What do you eat before a performance?

1-2 beers are ok

9) What should we be listening to?

„to the king“ and look out for the next one – wow

10) 3 Movies and 3 Songs that describe your life so far… ( or characterized your life, not sure how to say in english)

Berlin Calling , Inception , Grown Ups -> Movies; Party&Bullshit – Notorious Big , Eye of the Tiger – Survivor , Let me entertain you – Robbie Williams ;)

11) What is a singer, male or female, you would like to collaborate with?

Milky Chance

#ChromeSelects: Fabich

By Caroline October 24, 2015

Last week i sat down with Fabich and we talked about his music. It was really nice to met my friend from munich! Listen to his music below.

1) What´s behind the name Fabich?

Fabich is actually my real last name.

2) Can you explain what your genre of House music is?

The music I produce is mostly “feel good” music with different influences ranging from Uk to French house.

3) What’s your dream festival to play?

I’ve attended the Ultra Music Festival in Miami a couple of times as a guest and it has always been amazing! So many different artists coming together in this beautiful city plus the warm weather and beaches are just perfect…

4) What kind of personal routine is important to you?

I’m kind of spontaneous, so no personal routine for me. Especially when I make music its always important for me to have some kind of inspiration and that can happen anytime… I’m a night owl though so I definitely need lots of Coffee and Spezi to keep me awake during the day! ;-)

5) What artists do you draw on for your influence?

I don’t really have many musical influences to be honest, what really inspires me though are people that push the boundaries in their culture. that could be either a music producer like diplo but also fashion designers, actors, painters and so on… I always find it interesting when people do stuff that hasn’t been done before.

6) five artists you follow on spotify, soundcloud, hypem, facebook, instagram (can bew anything from a drug guru to a yoga instructor :)

@FuckJerry on instagram always makes me laugh
VICE’s Munchies Food Channel series with Action Bronson
Andy Puddicombe, you already mentioned it, he actually is a meditation instructor – helps me to stay focused when there’s a lot going on… :)
@Vibes on Instagram, love the aesthetics on there, lots of fashion, architecture etc…
Ray Kurzweil – he’s a futurist and I love his blog

7) Which song do you sing under the shower when nobody can hear you?

Frank Sinatra – Girl From Ipanema

8) What do you eat before a performance?

I try to eat something healthy and light to make up for any drinking that might happen afterwards

9) What should we be listening to?

If you don’t know them yet check out my friends Ferdinand Weber, Saint WKND, LCAW, Mynga, Dinnerdate, Tai & Jetique – they are all based in Munich and make great music. Also watch out for Delusion & JackLNDN, super talented guys.

10) 3 Movies and 3 Songs that describe your life so far… ( or characterized your life, not sure how to say in english)

That’s a really tough question, does 1 Movie, 1 Song and 1 Book count?
I’d go with:

Book: J.D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye
Song: N*E*R*D – Run To The Sun
Movie: Rebel Without A Cause

11) What is a singer, male or female, you would like to collaborate with?

I’d love to be in a session with Pharrell Williams just to get an idea of how he works in the studio! Collaboration wise it would be cool do do something crazy with The Weeknd. I did a bootleg to one of his tracks together with Ferdinand Weber a while back which he loved – you never know that the future holds…. :)

#ChromeSelects: Jean Blanc

By Marki October 5, 2015

This week we sat down with Munichs own Jean Blanc and talked about this and that, while having a Chai at our favourite Cafe ‘Trachtenvogl’. Listen to his music below.

1) What’s your dream festival to play?

Mh I haven’t really thought about that yet, but Coachella Festival would be really awesome!

2) Can you explain what your genre of House music is? When I associate House, I think of the thumping, pulsating sounds. Your tunes are different in that I can listen to you guys on a Sunday afternoon drinking on the beach.

Yes for sure. I would say melodic house! I love it to play the “be happy” sound and all the postive vibes. This is my way to make the audience feel good! You can listen to this genre everywhere and anytime.

3) What is a singer, male or female, you would like to collaborate with?

Oh, that’s a good question. There are so many good singers. But most of all I would look forward to a collaboration with James Hersey.

4) What should we be listening to? your favourite apps?

Instagram. I love it to have a look at all the pictures when I ‘m on the road. Of course it´s cool too, to share pictures with all my friends.

5) in a perfect world there would be… ?

No war, happy people and a lot of a good music.

6) five artists you follow on spotify, soundcloud, hypem, facebook, instagram (can be anything from a drug guru to a yoga instructor :)

Hehe, well one of my favorite artists i follow is Autograf from the Unitd States. They are doing incredible good stuff! Also Klingande, Sam Feldt, Alex Schulz and Sonnengruss! These are my five Artists to follow!

7) Which song do you sing under the shower when nobody can hear you?

Luke Christopher – Lot To Learn!

8) What’s your “there are 2 types of people in this world” answer? (maybe a bit too philosophical, but up to you)

In think there are natural people and indeed, the ones that aren’t what they are in the proper sense. Everyone should feel comfortable in his body and not pretend to be maybe a better one. Be yourself and enjoy every day!

9) What kind of personal routine is important to you?

Always maintain the relationship with my family and my friends. Cause there are no more important people in the world like these ones!

10) 1 Movie and 1 Song that describe your life so far… ( or characterized your life, not sure how to say in english)

That’s not so easy to say. A film that reflects that, I don´t know. I’ll try to explain it a little time, as the film might look like. The film would be a simple boy who drags life through himself. And
makes his hobby into a profession. Song: “Tom Rosenthal – Go Solo”. The title describes it quite well.

11) with whom would like to have dinner one day (can be dead or alive) and what would you guys order to eat?

Thomas Jack. I want to see him soon cause he´s the relaxation in person and super sympathetic!

#ChromeSelects: Mat McHugh

By Marki September 28, 2015

Taking it easy today with Mat McHugh’s new album “Waves” that we giddily downloaded for free. Below, we interviewed this avid surfer about pre-meal rituals, the creative process behind the album, and if he can break it down.

1) What artists do you draw on for your influence?

Oh man, that list is too big. I get inspired by creative energy in any form. I can be inspired to write a song by eating a beautiful meal, reading a great book or looking at an amazing building. Humans can do great things and I just want to try and contribute my own creativity in the way I can express it best.

2) What is it like releasing an album independently vs. with a major label?

I’ve always been an independent artist. It’s very important to me to have creative control over all the aspects of my art. It all has to have meaning and everything needs to come from the same motivation. The minute that art feels like a ‘product’ is when I lose interest.

3) Tell us about your creative process behind “Waves.” It’s tough to fit into a genre.

Like all my albums, I make them in my home studio. I play all the instruments and produce all the tracks. I love all aspects of it. I like the songwriting element where you sit at an instrument and come up with harmony and melody and lyrics. I also really love sound design and coming up with sounds that have never existed before. A lot of the things that sounds like synths on the album are actually samples that I have manipulated to become their own thing.

4) The first single, “All I Ever Wanted” takes us through an intense dream. Did this dream reflect real life?

For me, the line between dreaming and ‘real life’ is really blurred. I live between worlds.

5) What’s the collaboration process between you and The Beautiful Girls?

The Beautiful Girls is just another name I release my music under. It’s a different lineup live. More influenced by soul music and digital dancehall. Some records are Mat McHugh and some are TBG but, essentially, they’re all me.

6) Could you bust a move like the dancers in “Dancehall Days?”

Oh yeah for sure. Way better hahaha.

7) What do you eat before a performance?

I eat the ice in a single malt scotch whiskey.

8) What do you do to unwind?

I live on the beach so all of my spare time, of which there isn’t much at the moment, is spent there either in water or right beside it.

9) What is your favorite sport to play?

I grew up surfing since I was 5 years old. Before and after school every day of my life. If I had to choose between music and surfing, then surfing wins.

Check out ChromeMusic favourite Mat McHugh on SoundCloud ::: Facebook

Our Mat McHugh Playlist on ChromeMusic’s Soundcloud

#ChromeSelects: James Hersey

By Marki August 20, 2015

James Hersey’s been shoved in the limelight with “Coming Over,” a low-key number on Dillon Francis new EP “This Mixtape is Fire.” Rightly so, Hersey’s catalog is a laundry list of positive tunes – simple and upbeat with smooth vocals. We asked James the tough questions that strictly lead to thoughtful answers.

1) What is EDM?

Neon Cornflakes

2) How did you link up with Filous and what was the process like collaborating with him?

Filous got in touch late last summer with an urgent request – he’d made a bootleg remix of my acoustic video “Coming Over,” and it was getting extremely positive reactions from some huge blogs. We loved his production, and pretty soon the track was everywhere! “How Hard I Try” was a classic internet collab – Filous sent over a couple instrumentals, and one stuck out in particular. I spent about a week writing on it and sent back a rough demo. When that was approved we hit the studio together just once, and a week later there was a master in my Dropbox! He’s brilliantly fast on Ableton.

3) Who would you like to collaborate with, male or female?

Stromae, John Mayer, and Lorde!

4) Please explain “Juliet.” It’s a bit different from the rest of the album.

Juliet is a wordy track about a long-distance relationship that went wrong. I produced the instrumental on a laptop in Holland and got this strong electronic vibe, so the chorus and verses amplify that energy.

5) Who should we be listening to?

Our parents.

6) What are some personalities we should follow on Facebook and Instagram?

For some crazy/genius photographers check out my friends Olav Stubberud and Mahir Jahmal; for a good laugh follow Dillon Francis; and for the sickest skate/snow shots find Jenkem Magazine!

7) Is Tropical House a fad or is it here to stay?

I think the positive vibes and melodies of Tropical are a welcome change in a genre dominated by the darker intentions of Deep House, Dubstep and DNB. I think it’s here to stay!

8) What was the collaboration process with Dillon Francis and Kygo like? Is Dillon Francis just as comedic as he portrays himself?

Kygo reached out to me last September, and only a few days after I sent him “Coming Over” there was an explosion on the internet – Dillon Francis posted a teaser of their version and everyone loved it! Kygo and I are close now, but I haven’t met Dillon in person yet.

9) What was your favorite place to play in the US? Any places you want to play?

I think my favorite show in the US was Webster Hall in NYC – I was sick for a bunch of shows before that, and it was the first time I was really back on my feet and able to enjoy myself. I’d love to play the Hollywood Bowl someday!

#ChromeSelects: Crookers

By Marki August 5, 2015

Yea, you definitely heard his remix of Kid Cudi’s “Day N Nite'” by now. But there is more to this Italian man than meets the eye. He’s got 2 record labels, countless remixes that are main weapons for every DJ set, and has toured the world, making everyone a believer in the process.

“Sixteen Chapel,” Crooker’s album, goes from Deep House with “Heavy” to Electro Pop with “I Just Can’t” with Jeremih in a matter of minutes, proving genres are just a thing is the past. Below, we checked in to see what he had to say about notorious eater TJR, his trippy music videos, and life after death.

1. PC Magazine just completed a study of the most used emoji’s in each country. The banana was the most used in Italy. What do you think? And, what’s your most used emoji?

Probably because we have a big banana so we always want to show it off. I don’t know, I tend to not use too many emoji’s unless it’s for a stupid reason. So, I think the one that I use the most is the kiss just because I want to kiss.

2. Differences between your two record labels – Lucky Beard and Ciao Recs?

Lucky Beard is a label I started when I was tired in a way of always making the same sounds, this label is where I can do weird, experimental, fucked up music. A reason why Lucky Beard is interesting to me is we don’t promote it, we don’t do any marketing for it, we are not trying to be a big label, we are just sending the music out.

Ciao Recs started as the home for my new records. I ended the relationship with other labels and I didn’t want to deal with other labels, I wanted to do my own thing. I don’t call Ciao Rec’s a proper label though.

3. In your 2^nd life, are you going to be a pizza like in “Picture This?”

Yes, it would be a nice end and a good start.

4. How did the concept come about for “Able To Maximize?” Is it going to be a series because at the end it says, “To Be Continued…”

There is going to be a crazy animated video for “I Just Can’t” but it the record is doing so well so we decided to make a real music video for the single too. I am the doctor saving lives in the video.

At the end of “I Just Can’t” you will understand why all the other stuff happened. It’s some trippy shit.

5. You and TJR go on tour. What is the tour name called?

TJR fucking hates to pay for food. He eats and I pay. I always say to him, “I pay, he eats.”

6. “Dangerous” off Sixteen Chapel is a bit different from the album. Can you tell me a bit about the track?

I was fucking around with some old groove that I had and I slowed it down to a funky line, I wanted to make a song with that, like ’92-’93 sound stuff.

7. What is your favorite kind of hummus?

The normal kind, I don’t want to see spice, pesto. If I want to add spice I’ll add my spice.

8. What should we be listening to?

Psychedelic rock ‘n’ roll from the 70’s. Italian bands.

SoundCloud ::: Facebook