Interview: Guido Schneider

You’d be hard pressed to pin point the one reason music has grown to become the universal denominator.

In fact, narrowing down said reason would begin and end as one fruitless expedition. Split hairs aside, what cannot be denied is the manner in which our auditory sense directly links sound to memory.

Without forewarning and most certainly without an ounce of effort, a single bass line, bridge or lyric can conjure up a moment in time allowing your ‘past’ to nestle aside your ‘present’. Rest easy, my quest for conviction does not mean to overshadow the last four senses.

But honestly, does touch have a rhythm? Can you bop your head or tap your feet to a scent? This of course does not require an answer; rhetorical questions often do not.

When Germany’s Guido Schneider hears marching music, you can be sure he’ll throw back to his teenage years where his extra-circular time was spent practicing for the school’s marching band. When he hears techno music, however, his hometown of Celle will be a distant memory because in the forefront will be Berlin and its endless list of clubs and producers. As a home away from home, Schneider has spent over a decade contributing to the capital’s burgeoning music scene where minimal and techno are the ‘sound du jour’.

Jasmine Phull talks to Deutsch producer Guido Schneider who says, “music has nothing to do with money”, though he isn’t about to dismiss the good life that comes with it.

You didn’t move to Berlin till 1996. How did your home-town foster the development of your music?
Berlin for me is a techno city. Where I grew up I listened to more industrial music like EBM, and actually when I was a teenager I was in a marching band. So I grew up with marching music!

Who was your idol growing up? Who is it now?
Yes it was Depeche Mode, but now there are no more idols.

You ran label Neue Welten until 2000. What was the decision behind closing it? Was it difficult juggling being the producer DJ who tours as well as dedicating the necessary amount of time to something as demanding as a label?

No because I wasn’t touring then. When I started my label, in 1995, I was studying and produced all my own music on my own label. I closed it when my daughter was born.

What are your thoughts on imitation vs inspiration? Is it a prevalent issue in today’s music industry?
I think it’s a good sign if somebody imitates somebody else’s music. I think it’s a sign of respect. I guess it depends from which side you want to view the situation.

Did you have to experience ‘struggle’ to get to where you are today? Is that an important factor in making a ‘great’ artist?
For sure. You have to fight for it. That’s how you become know. Otherwise you are just a short ‘star’ and that’s all. You really have to work hard if you want to stay relevant. But sometimes you make good music and sometimes you make bad music but over a long period you have to create quality music.

When do you work best?
I used to work during the day but the last production we just worked on we did it straight after a long weekend because then you are full of inspiration. Sometimes I come back from a job and go straight to my studio; it’s more intense and hypnotic.

Is there something that’s missing in the music industry that was there 10 years ago?
Sales! There are definitely less sales. No. There’s nothing missing; it’s just changing all the times. Things go away then come back. It goes up and down and forward and backwards. What I really can say, is that the quality of the music is getting better and better because of the technical possibility. All the sounds are much more clean and clear; more pumpy and much more bass than before.

So you don’t think the Internet has created a saturation of low-quality music?
When I started music is was difficult to get music because you had to pay a lot for hardware and right now you just need a computer and some software and everybody can create music in better quality.

One track that makes you feel elated?
There are too many to choose just one! But at the moment I’m really loving Pascal Feos. We did three records together and I’m sure they’ll be more in the future.

Which do you prefer: studio or stage time? Why?
I prefer recording music in my studio because you think more about it. On stage it’s more emotional but sometimes you can loose focus.

What should the crowd expect from your XOYO gig on 15 January? Do you put a big importance on the live stage set-up?
I totally concentrate on the music but expect new stuff and really good hypnotic sounds.

How long are your sets?
It depends on the club. I’m open to anything; I can play 1 hour or 3-4 hours.

Without money music is...?
I think music has nothing to do with money. Music is everywhere all the time. If you sing, it’s music. If you drum a tablet, it’s music. Music has nothing to do with money.

With money music is...?
A better life! (Laughs)

Interview by: Jasmine Phull

Guido Schneider news, events and info

Guido Schnieder headlines Zombie Soundsystem's 5th birthday party on Saturday 15th January. Tickets are available below.

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