Alex Niggemann Interview: Ahead of the time

Image: Alex Niggemann

Berlin's music scene is always on the lips of discerning revellers, keen to make the trip from somewhere else on the globe in order to get a taste of the raw and unprecedented way of clubbing the has been adopted by the German capital, particularly in a club like Watergate. 

An artist that knows the club inside out is Alex Niggemann. The DJ and producer has spent years crafting his distinctive melodic house and techno, bouncing between darker and melancholic beats and has garnered a reputation in the city and worldwide as one of electronic music's true talents (check out his set from Watergate below). 

The Soulfooled label boss is set to play at the Watergate Nacht at Electric Brixton, as him, Monika Kruse and Tiefschwarz bring a little bit of the world renowned club to London. We caught up with him ahead of the showcase.

As a frequent visitor to London, do you have any special places you try and visit while you are here, record shops, restaurant, bar, friends etc. or are your visits all to often plane, hotel, club hotel, plane?

Unfortunately too often, it's just planes, hotels, clubs and so on. It’s been a while since I have been to Phonica or shopping for clothes. Answering this first question reminds me that I really need to take some time off in London when I'm next there.

You have played at many of the capitals most exciting clubs including Fabric, Egg, Studio 338, plus warehouses like Oval Space. What memories do you have of playing in London and have there been any stand out moments for you?

Well, London has 16 million citizens, which is more than most countries have. That also means this city itself has a bigger club scene than most. It also means that events really differ from one to another. The first time playing Room One in Fabric was for sure a highlight.

The Poker Flat Event at Studio 338, playing outside for four hours while the sun was going down as well as the Warehouse event at Oval Space. I love if you can find this sort of diversity in the same city.

Electric Brixton we believe is a venue you haven’t played before, do you have any knowledge or has anyone you know informed you of what it is like to play this iconic music venue with its theatrical structure?

Yeah I heard about it and checked some pictures out on the internet. As I said before - diversity! Can’t wait to play in a theatre.

Your relationship with Watergate has been ongoing for some time as both a producer and DJ. Can you offer any insight into why Watergate as a club and label are so significant to the house and techno scene in Europe and further afield?

Well, Watergate is an institution in Berlin and all over the world. It had a lot of influence on my career. From the moment I moved to Berlin, I always wanted to play there. The vibe is always good and by now it feels like playing in my living room and partying with my family.

I guess people who have been there know what I’m talking about. Music wise Watergate and its label were always ahead of the time, establishing a lot of new music and artists in the scene.

When playing a Watergate party, do you prepare musically or mentally different compared to playing at other clubs or does the actions on the night itself determine your performance?

To be honest. No. Because Watergate always was and is a place for me, where I can play what I feel like and Watergate always trusted in the music I play. I rarely prepare sets anyways. I always put together playlists of different music styles and moods in different lists. Then I decide during my sets, as I like to interact with the crowd and decide with them which way the party goes.

Your last release on Watergate was the ace release Sorrow (above) at the end of 2014 with a stunning vocal from Bon Homme. Are there any further releases coming from you on Watergate planned?

There’s nothing 100% confirmed yet, but the label and I definitely want to do more. 

Your own labels Soulfooled and Aeon, offer two different sounds synonymous to your productions. Was the development and creation of these labels a platform for you to be able to experiment and offer new work, or primarily to support new and current talent while harnessing a label sound?

I just got too many good demos off talented people, which didn’t really fit under one roof. Aeon is the peak time, more Techno influenced label that actually mirrors the style that I play mostly. Soulfooled, as the name says, is the more playful, deep and experimental label.

With the resurgence of vinyl sales, have you found this has impacted on your label in any way and do you think this format is an important part of the house and techno scene?

Phew, I probably would have answered different a year ago. Let’s be honest. Since I have labels, I do vinyl, but it becomes less and less. Let’s ask the question: Who buys the vinyl? Collectors and a few people/DJs that still do because the "warmness“ of its sound attracts them or other emotional reasons. Who plays vinyl? Even less people than who buy it. 

Vinyl sales have gone that low, that one in 1000 labels sells more than 1000 copies. This is what Groove Magazine found out. The rest are happy, if they sell 300 copies. The break even for that is 285 records. So, 15 records are making the difference between a loss and a win.

It’s not only about losing a lot of money most likely, it is also about that I don’t want to tell the artists that they don’t get any money or didn’t sell records. That’s why I’m not even doing all of my releases on vinyl anymore. How could I justify it otherwise?

Sure, we all would like to have a vinyl as it feels good to have something physical in your hand, but is it worth pressing 300 copies just so the artist can hand out ten to his/her friends, getting dusty in the cupboards and making the label look cool to a few people that say, "music is worth more if it is on vinyl"?

If the music is quality, it doesn’t matter which medium you use. Maybe three of the Top 100 DJs play vinyl only, and to be honest besides Sven Väth, there’s no one that plays the style I release.  

Are there any new artists you have worked with or are hoping to work with via either of your labels or elsewhere that we should be keeping an eye out for?

There will be a few collaborations in the near future. That’s all I can say. But talents like Denis Horvat, Speaking Minds, Looked Groove, Jona, P.Lopez or Francys are definitely people to have an eye on.

You will be alongside a killer line up for the Watergate party in London, Monika Kruse, Tiefschwarz, Jimi Jules. I am sure you have had the pleasure (and them also) of playing together in the past. Any fun stories from previous nights together with these DJs or should we be expecting fireworks when you get together?

Oh yeah! Actually with Ali and Basti (Tiefschwarz) and I have a long tradition of playing together. I have been touring Australia in 2014 with them, which was a lot of fun. I've already played a few Watergate showcases and at WMC together, plus I had the honour of them playing with me for my birthday last year November.

Finally any forthcoming releases or exciting news we should be looking out for?

Yeah, there will be a new EPs very soon. Next one is on AEON and will be released end of Oct/beginning of Nov. It contains a few of the tracks, that some biggies have already played a lot throughout the Ibiza season and you might have heard on my Boiler Room set. Another one will follow up by end of the year. Plus AEON is going on the road from on 2015 frequently with massive line ups. Watch out for this.

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