100% Original Burkhardt sound- no tricks, no fakes: Mix & Interview

Details Published on Wednesday, 16 May 2018 06:58

Little introduction is needed for our latest interview with Frankfurt based, Christian Burkhardt. An artist that continues to grow after over 20 years of production, performing live and mixing in all corners of the world. On his journey leaving a trail of successful releases on staple names such as Raum…Musik and Cocoon , with groove at the heart of every sound. Recent times saw the launch of CB Sessions a personal platform to release live jams and studio sessions with friends. Technology has always been a deep passion for him, and if you have been fortunate enough to catch one of his live sets, you will certainly understand.

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Here is what went down when we recently caught up…

First, thanks a lot for taking some time out for us, and recording a special mix based solely around your personal productions and remixes. Hope you are well, and enjoying the start of spring in Frankfurt.

Thanks for having me. Yeah it’s a special energy when the sun comes out after depressing winter grey, people start smiling again.

Anybody who knows you, or has heard your name will understand your passion for technology, whether in the studio in Offenbach, or playing live. When did you start producing, and building your studio

I started producing back in my hometown Heidelberg, some friends had studios and showed me how to do it. My first Synthesizer, a Bassstation, I bought 1995. The Studio I built after moving to Offenbach in 2001.

What do you find yourself using the most in the studio? The set up looks very impressive.

In focus are different machines over the years, actually it’s the modular. I use it all the time, it’s the best thing for sound design, never ending possibilities. And the Elektron Rytm drummaschine, love the combination between analog and digital samples, with l layering, you get special sounds. But it’s not all about analog hardware, I do field recording a lot or jam around with cheesy ipad apps sometimes.

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Do you find there is a different connection with the crowd when playing live as opposed to playing records?

Music wise for sure, because I have control about each element of the music in the live set. When I see a good reaction to a sound/element I jam in, I stay with the sound for a longer time. In Dj sets there is more time for seeing the crowd, cheering, smiling, waving having fun.

Summer is definitely on its way. Do you have any particular summer locations you look forward to playing in?

oh yes oh yes, I will play some shows during Sonar festival what is always the highlight of the year, everybody will be there. And of course Ibiza season is starting, playing at Pacha, Amnesia and Destino…still in love with the island. Not to forget two nice open air festivals at home “See us there” and then the “WCD-Poolsessions” looking forward to see the whole Frankfurt crew.

You have released on many highly respected brands, such as Pressure Traxx, Cocoon and Raum…Musik. All running for quite some time now. Raum… celebrate 20years this year, how does it feel to be a part of this, and to see the labels grow over time?

It feels good to be surrounded by passionate people doing music with attitude.

Trends come, trends go - we just do our thing working on the perfect groove for a better future. Haha, I am a poet.

In 2014, you started your personal project Christian Burkhardt Sessions. When did you realise it was time to begin a label of your own?

All the time I invite friends to the studio, I like to exchange and to share vibes, special moments. CB-Sessions is the platform to release the recordings of these moments.

How important is it to you to catch these live jams in the heat of the moment?

The best things are always happening when u don’t expect them. Sometimes we work for hours on a track and then u push a wrong button or switch and ta taaa- the groove is lifting up. A quick recording is always most necessary.

The mix you kindly curated for us is only productions and remixes made by yourself. Including a Donna Summer Hot Stuff Remix, The Milky Way Remix, and an Argy Remix. How do you decide on a track you would like to remix? What kind of process do you use when approaching a remix?

The artist or label of the original is asking me for the remix. It seems it’s a new thing that the Remixer is asking for it. It is really cool to have requests to remix classic tunes or super nice artists. Most of the time I play around with the parts of the original, run them through my modular system and work out a groove. I love remixing as I have already something where I can build around a groove. I always try to use as much as possible of the original. Just arrange, effects and work out in a new way.



I don’t like these remixes when you don’t hear the original.

There are several forthcoming releases also found in the mix, such as your next release on Do Not Sleep. When can we be expecting that? What else do you have hidden in the mix?

Yeah, the DNS release is the highlight, I did it with my long time buddy Daniel Roth. For me personally, the best stuff I did in the last years. Then the remixes u named before and some unreleased music.

How would you describe your mix to the listeners?

100% Original Burkhardt sound- no tricks, no fakes

Thanks again for your time and the magic mix.

By ZAC BIDWELL

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