Sebo K: 'I'm not good at describing my own music'

Sebo K is a realist. Practicality is a rare sight on the debaucherous dancefloor but when the club clears and the sun rises you can never predict which way the industry will go. Though still heavily in the house scene, Watergate’s Scenario host has a solid business degree to lean on – just in case. But where music is concerned listeners have nothing to worry about. Having grown up in Berlin’s nineties Sebo K has a style steeped in unforgettable history and his sound is anything but fleeting.

Jasmine Phull speaks to Berlin-born Sebo K ahead of his Stop Making Sense Festival appearence.

Since jumping into the music scene over two decades ago, you’ve experimented with a number of genres, including trip-hop, hip hop and house. What music did you listen to growing up?

When I was young I was mainly listening to hip hop but I also had short periods where I tried different things like punk or reggae. Hip hop was definitely my main influence but I was always listening to different kinds of music and I still do. I believe you can find good tracks in every genre.

After embracing all those difference music scenes you always came back to house. What draws you to house music?

House is my favourite groove for the dance floor. I like the tempo and the vibe of the music if it’s about dancing. But as I said there is so much good music in genres as well and from time to time I still work on other projects. For example I finished some ambient tracks last year.

Where is your home-town and can you describe its ‘music scene’ during your teens?

I grew up in Berlin and I was very lucky that I had the chance to experience the nightlife in Berlin in the nineties. It was a very exciting era in Berlin. The Berlin wall just felt down and Clubs like Tresor, E-Werk and WMF were the places to be.

You’ve also produced music for the advertising industry, do you still do that?

No not at the moment. That was many years ago.

You’re playing at Stop Making Sense in August, how do you prepare for a festival show?

To be honest it doesn’t make a difference whether I prepare for a club gig or a festival. I always make selections before the gigs but in the end I go with flow and decide spontaneously what I play.

What are two hurdles you always have to overcome at the festival gig?

Hmm .. actually I don’t really see any hurdles on a festival gig .. maybe to find my stage?!

You’ve been a resident DJ for Watergate in Berlin since its opening in 2002, what do you like about doing a residency?

It’s actually more than a residency. I’m hosting my own night called Sebo K s Scenario at Watergate four times a year, which means I choose the DJs that play at those nights. That’s a great opportunity to create a night with different kind of styles of music that I like.

Aside from the host-night at Watergate you also went to uni to study Business and Communications. Have you been able to apply any of your learnings to your music career?

Not really. The idea was more to have a plan B in case I don’t want to be a DJ anymore. You know, when I’m older or when nobody wants to listen to my music anymore? (Laughs).

In three words describe your music:

Propably boom boom boom or something like that. (Laughs).
Honestly I’m not good at describing my own music. I prefer if others do this.

Last song you listened to?

The last song I listened to was the new Daft Punk single. It was on the radio in the taxi from the airport right before I arrived home to answer this interview.

First album you bought?

I already had some records from Madonna, Depeche Mode and Frankie Goes To Hollywood when I was a child but I didn’t buy them myself because I didn’t have enough pocket money for that. I’m not sure but probably the first ones that I really bought myself were something likes Beastie Boys or Run DMC.

What next?

Tomorrow will be another Scenario night at Watergate and my guests this time are Magda, Giles Smith and The Mole. I’m really looking forward to this!

Interview: Jasmine Phull

To see Sebo K in action, click here for more info and tickets to Stop Making Sense Festival

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