Matthias Tanzmann Interview: Changes are also chances

Since his career took off in the nineties, Matthias Tanzmann has become internationally praised for his deep and tech house productions and those sort of DJ sets which you witness and then boast months later, "I was there."

His musical identity is shaped by the prolific brands he is associated with. You don't just pick up a residency at DC10's Circo Loco or create a label like Moon Harbour if your talent as a DJ and producer doesn't surpass expectations.

Tanzmann has also been responsible for some seminal mix CDs including Fabric's in 2012 and a Circo Loco compilation in 2011, both of which reflected the elongated grooves and big basslines that make their way into his sets.

Before he begins another busy summer period filled with gigs, we quizzed Matthias Tanzmann on his famous back to back sets, the magic of DC10 and his label. 

What was the clubbing scene like in Leipzig when you were younger?

When I started going out in Leipzig it was to mainly illegal parties in abandoned industrial sites. There were also small clubs coming up, but it was still very improvised in the early years.

Was it at all overshadowed by Berlin? Did you travel there much?

Berlin was a big influence to the electronic music scene of Leipzig. The cites are near from each other so we used to go there a lot to buy records and go to parties. Being exposed to the eclectic night life of Berlin has certainly helped Leipzig to develop its own techno and house scene.

You're not stranger to a B2B set, what do you enjoy the most about this dynamic? If you had to pick what would be your favourite B2B you've played over the years?

I like to play B2B sets as this helps you break out of your routine. When I play alone I know about all my music and have an idea where to go over the next two, three or even more tracks.

When you play B2B you always have to react on what the other DJ is playing next. And you get to know new music at the same time. I have played the most sets with Davide Squillace during the last years. We complement each other very well.

As a mainstay of one of Ibiza's biggest clubs nights, what are your thoughts on the shifts that are currently taking place over there in regards to ownership changes? 

There have always been changes and people saying that everything used to be much better in the old days. Let's see what the future will bring, but I doubt it will take away the magic from our beloved island. Changes are also chances.

Circo Loco has definitely managed to maintain that raw Ibiza magic and atmosphere, what do you think makes the club night stand apart from the others on the White Isle? Do you ever worry it may get to the point in which it loses that magic?

For many years Circo Loco have been home to some of the best DJs in the world. And those DJs have played there even before they became that big. You can say with no doubt that Andrea and Antonio know about music and this is what has put DC10 in the position where it is now. Of course things have professionalized over the years.

To some people who used to go to Ibiza in the 90s the Island may not be the same anymore. But new generations are coming and they love Ibiza for what it is now. They find the magic with it. And so do I.

You're playing at Groove Fest in Malta next month. What's it like playing at this type of foreign festival with an idyllic location partnered with good weather and a good line up? It's definitely something that's become more prevalent over the past few years.

I am very much looking forward to that. Events like that are a beautiful alternative to dark club nights and especially after the long winter in Europe.

How have you seen your Moon Harbour label progress since you founded it up until now?

Moon Harbour has grown from a small vinyl label with a small roster of befriended artists to an international platform with way more than 100 releases. We have recently finished out world tour at the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the label's foundation. I am very glad we achieved that.

With Moon Harbour showcases, like the one you've got planned for Sonar, how do you ensure that the events reflect what the label is all about?

We have a line up of over ten artists for our Barcelona Off Week showcase. This includes label artists as well as DJ friends. Bringing all that together perfectly shows what the label is about. The party will take place at Pacha Barcelona on Friday 17th of June. Last year we were sold out by 2am already. It was a memorable night.

You've previously talked about the relationship between agencies and labels within the music market and how it can work in order to secure bookings. How has the structure of these relationships change since you've been active in the scene?

In the early years of Moon Harbour vinyl sales were still very solid. The label could survive on it and producers would get paid reasonable royalties for their music. The vinyl and CD sales dropped about 10 years ago.

The digital market couldn't compensate the loss, so producers started to become DJs or Live Acts and labels were looking for other ways to survive. One way was to become the booking agency for their artists, so both sides could benefit from the gigs that were promoted through the releases.

If you could have signed any track to Moon Harbour, what would it be?

'Throw' by Paperclip People.  

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