Featuring DEETRON

Today we welcome something a little special. Deetron, a superior producer and DJ in the House/Techno scene, and a name that has been firmly fixed in our memory since the release of 'Starblazer' back in June last year, has answered some questions ahead of his performance at Flux on Wednesday 22 February at Mint Warehouse.

Deetron, you’ve just embarked on your world tour. How has it been so farʔ

It's been absolutely great, the tour kicked off nicely down under and took me all across Europe with Asia and the US coming up in the next months. I'm glad to see how well the Balance release is received and appreciate the reactions from the crowds. Some of the highlights were Panoramabar on the 1st of January, Trouw in Amsterdam, the Balance launch at Corsica Studios in London, Bob Beaman in Munich and Lux in Lisboa.

You grew up in Berne Switzerland. How did you first encounter dance musicʔ

After I had been deejaying Hip Hop for a while, I started to run a little youthclub in a village outside of Bern This was where I got introduced to early Hip House records by a friend of mine and I was instantly hooked.

The tour is to promote Balance 20, your new mix CD. The Balance series is a pretty big deal – did you feel the pressure at all? Do you make sure to play a lot of the featured tracks in your sets?

I didn't feel the pressure from previous versions or the reputation of the series but more so from myself since my aim was to create mixes, which can stand the test of time rather than just featuring current big tracks. I do play a good amount of tracks from the CD as they're personal favourites but mixed with a lot of different and brand new material obviously.

You’re known as a meticulously tight and technical mixer. Lately, you hear some DJs claim how it’s all about the loose, rugged mix – what’s your take on the power of the smooth, seamless blend?

I believe they refer more likely to the calculated and automated beatmatching by DJs using digital systems exclusively because the live element goes missing. That's why I keep using Vinyl and CDs only at gigs rather than a digital setup. I'm making lots of edits and versions
of songs to play out from CD though, which is what I wanted to showcase with the digital CD of Balance 20.

After the success of Each Step, I hear you’re planning to get back into the studio with Seth Troxler? What is it about your relationship that works so well?

Yes that's right, we're currently working on a tune but who knows when that will be ready. Well I'm really into his vocals and lyrics so it was a logical step to cooperate with him. The funny thing is that we still haven't met in person.

If you could go back to any era of dance music, from the Seventies disco explosion in NYC to the acid house raves of rural England, and play a 2 hour set to a packed dance-floor, where would you go and why?

Paradise Garage of course, I would have loved to play in that booth and to experience Larry Levan live.



Finally, you’re headlining the Flux 1st Birthday in Leeds next week. Have you heard anything about Leeds' scene and the new Mint Warehouse space? What can we expect from your show?

Yes I did hear quite some great things about Mint and I'm really looking forward to playing there. You can expect a set of good music!

Thanks for your time, we look forward to seeing you on Wednesday!

DOWNLOAD: LWE Podcast 112 - Deetron

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02. The 7th Plain, “Seeing Sense” [General Production Recordings]
03. Pinch & Shackleton, “Rooms Within A Room” [Honest Jon's Records]
04. Moritz Von Oswald Trio, “Pattern 3″ [Honest Jon's Records]
05. Junior Boys, “You’ll Improve Me” (Caribou Remix) [Domino]
06. No Boundaries, “Modular Pursuits” (Dahpni Cwejam Dub) [Planet E]
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10. Life & Death, “Step Aside (Lightweight)” [Visionquest]
11. Rocketnumbernine, “Matthew & Toby” (Four Tet Remix) [Text Records]
12. Scuba, “Flash Addict” [Hotflush Recordings]
13. Boddika & Joy Orbison, “Swims” [Swamp 81]
14. James Blake, “At Birth” (Edit) [R&S Records]
15. André Lodemann, “Where Are You Now?” [Best Works Records]
16. Martyn, “We A You In The Future” (Redshape Remix) [Brainfeeder]
17. Ethyl & Flori, “Shelter” (Rolando Remix) [Secretsundaze]
18. Scott Grooves, “Detroit 808″ (Beats) [Natural Midi]
19. Omar S & Ob Ignitt, “Wayne County Hill Cop’s Part 2″ [FXHE Records]
20. The Reese Project, “Direct Me” (Marty Hardy Mix) [Network Records]
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22. Little Dragon, “Thunder Love” (Mario & Vidis Redo) [Philomena]
23. Matthew Dekay & Lee Burridge, “Für Die Liebe” (Dub) [All Day I Dream]
24. Radiohead, “Bloom” (Jamie XX Rework Pt. 3) (Edit) [Young Turks]
25. Sepalcure, “Inside” [Hotflush Recordings]