M.A.N.D.Y interview

We caught up with the pair ahead of their Superfreq date

Mr C invited some of Get Physical's regulars along to Superfreq in May '05. M.A.N.D.Y were playing alongside DJ T - we grabbed them for a chat.

Endclub.com: We're very excited that you're coming back to Superfreq.! How did first hear of the club and meet Mr C?

M.A.N.D.Y: We first met Richard at Sonar a couple of years ago and it was love at first sight. Since then we've always stayed in touch and helped each other out where we could. We're very happy to play with him again and can't wait to spend some time with him and his club...

The Get Physical artist DJ T will also be playing on the night. Tell us a little about DJ T.

As you probably know he's a bit of a legend in Germany. He founded Groove Magazine 16 years ago and he's been DJing for more than 18years, so he's been around on the scene for a long time. We met in Frankfurt 5 years ago and after a long vacation in Bali together the idea was born to start the label with our friends from Booka Shade.

How does playing in the UK compare with your home, and the rest of the world?

To be honest it varies a little but not as much as it used to. A lot of DJs have access to the same records now and even in small towns or little countries people are into what you are doing. But of course it is always something very special to play in London, especially in a club like The End with a tradition of such good music.

A lot of people feel Germany, and Berlin in particular, is the forefront of music. What's your response to that?

I have to admit that I think this is true at the moment. The reason is that there are so many different producers, DJs and music lovers in Berlin both from Germany and even more from abroad. This allows people to exchange lots of ideas and results in some interesting collaborations. And Berlin is still cheap which is better for artists as well. As an artist you have to get lazy once in a while; in other capitals you always have this big pressure to make money which probably leads to some wrong decisions.

Tell us about your residency at Monza in Frankfurt.

Monza is the club of DJ T and Patrik Dechent (who also releases on GPM as Sunsetpeople). Robert Johnson and the Monza Club are doing the finest quality house bookings in Frankfurt.

What's been your reaction to the news that there is no Love Parade in Berlin this year?

I always liked the vibe of the Sunday evening parties after Love Parade; when most people had left! After so much partying though everybody gets on a moody vibe and as I experienced this quite often I can't say I'm really unhappy that it's not happening this year. If there are so many problems upfront I think it is not a good sign and it's time to move on and find new ways of doing parties.

You're DJs, producers, and label founders. What's your favourite part of what you do?

The exciting thing is that all this three activities are so well linked. We couldn't do one without the other. In every part of this job there are these really special moments.

How did you come up with the name M.A.N.D.Y for the duo?

Both our Grandmas were called this.

What are you working on in the studio at the moment?

We've just finished a Fisherspooner mix, there is one more to do for Playhouse, and at some point we need to start with the album. Our first mix compilation called 'Body Language' comes out in the next few weeks.

You've put on loads on clubs over the years and played all over the world. What's been the wierdest, maddest moment?

Too many to mention! Seriously there is so much to tell that I could fill books! I'm sure that any party guy or girl all over the world has a lot to write about this special way of living at the weekends...

And when you're not working, what clubs or bars in Europe do you go to?

You always depend a bit on the promoters in the cities. If they know nice places, then you get to see them. If not, you end up in some shitty tourist place eating pizza for the 549th time. In some cities where you have made friends you know the little nice restaurants and cafes where you want to return. This is very special. I don't go to bars that often. From the restaurant straight to the club is more my cup of tea.

Published: 15/03/2005

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