Martin Buttrich Interview

We interview the man with the Midas touch.

Until a couple of years ago, the name Martin Buttrich may not have been familiar to you, unless you’re a DJ or avid trainspotter (in the music sense of the word rather than the locomotive). But these days he seems to be popping up everywhere. Far from being a newcomer to the scene, Martin has been giving the Midas touch to other artists’ music for over a decade, working chiefly with Timo Maas and Loco Dice. Most DJs would chew their own right arm off to get him in their studio, and now he’s finally started releasing under his own name, the level of talent possessed by this unassuming and softly spoken producer has really become apparent. In between putting out tasty little slices of house such as ‘Full Clip’, running his Desolat label, and still finding time to work on an exciting new project with Timo, we managed to steal him away for 10 minutes for a chat ahead of his gig at Clandestino on 1st June.

Endclub.com: You’ve long been a silent studio partner for the likes of Timo Maas and Loco Dice, but in the last couple of years you’ve been making serious headway releasing tracks under your own name. Did you suddenly decide you wanted some of the glory?

Martin Buttrich: It wasn’t really a big decision that I suddenly wanted to be in the limelight, it was more that I was working on several different projects, some without Loco and Timo, but all under different names, so I just decided it would be easier to group them altogether under my own name.

Do you prefer working alone or in a partnership?

Both really. On the one hand it can be quicker working with someone else, as you have more ideas to throw around, but on the other hand, working alone you don’t have to compromise your vision. As they say, “sometimes I need some time all alone.”

Hmmm – that’s Guns n Roses isn’t it?

Indeed!

Have you had to cut back on your production work for other artists now you’re busy producing your own stuff?

No, not too much. For the last 4 months I’ve working exclusively on a project with Timo and Skin from Skunk Anansie. It’ll probably come out around the beginning of next year and we’re planning a live show as well.

Skin’s a bit of a nutter isn’t she?

She’s a very cool lady, I like her very much. It’s been great trying out different vocals with her; she’s a fantastic person to work with as she’s got such a distinctive voice.

I’m surprised Timo and Dice agreed to let you out – I thought they might have locked you in the studio to stop you getting away!

Well – I’m going back in the studio with Dice in the summer, so they needn’t worry!

Do you actually ever get any time to relax in between all your production commitments?

A little – but not as much as I’d like I’m afraid.

You’ve dabbled in many different genres – house, minimal, techno, italo-disco, breakbeat…even pop. Is the sound you’re pushing at the moment with your own releases the true sound of Martin Buttrich – or will we get to see a drum & bass, garage or dubstep Buttrich appearing any time soon?

This is what I like right now, but I’m going to be working on some other projects, probably also under my own name, which are a bit more ambient or easy listening. So I wouldn’t say the sound I am releasing right now is always going to stay the same, but that’s what I’m feeling at the moment.

I read a review of your ‘Cloudy Bay’ track a couple of years ago in which the reviewer said you were probably a wine drinker, as your tracks are so detailed and finely tuned that you couldn’t possibly sit around swigging beer all day! Is this an accurate analysis?

Well to be fair, I did actually name that track after a bottle of wine! So yes I have to say, I am partial to a bottle of wine, but also a few beers…

I had you down as more of a whisky man…

No – that’s a little bit rough for me!

You released Dubfire’s ‘Ribcage’ on your label Desolat, which was a huge success. What have you got lined up for the label over the next few months?

We’ve got a track from a German producer called Sebbo, with a Moritz von Oswald remix, plus a track coming out from a guy from Spain called Danny Ocean – that’s a really nice summery tune. There’s also a track that we’ve just put out from some Romanian guys – well, actually one of them is Romanian and the other is an Italian living in Romania – Rosario and Rhadoo.

Have you played out in Romania at all? There seems to be a lot of hype surrounding the Romanian club scene at the moment.

Yes I’ve played out there once, it is a brilliant place with some crazy parties. They are great people and they are listening to some great music – what more can I say?

Where’s your favourite place to play?

There are so many I couldn’t just name one! For me, it’s always somewhere with a quality soundsystem, great people and a good vibe, such as Womb in Tokyo – that, for me, is the club with the most amazing soundsystem in the world. The main room at The End is fantastic, and Fabric have also got a great soundsystem.

You’re based in Hanover - what’s the club scene like there?

Well, it’s bang in the middle of Hamburg and Berlin, only an hour’s drive to each city – which is why it’s an easy place for me to live! Hanover is more like a huge village with 500,000 people. It’s a super cool place to live, but it’s not really a clubbing place. I can go to Berlin or Hamburg for the clubs.

Are you heading out to Ibiza this summer, or have you got some other hot little party destination in mind?

Yes I’ll definitely be going out there for a bit of a holiday, but I am going out at the beginning before the season starts. I am trying to avoid the madness! I’ll be doing a few gigs out there this summer as well. Ibiza is a great place – the island certainly has a magic to it, and you can always hear great music out there.

What sound do you think will dominate this year?

I think people will be playing more melodic stuff, a little bit warmer and uplifting than the minimal vibe – well, that’s what I’m going to play anyway!

Have you got any releases coming out soon?

I’ve just released ‘Stoned Pilot’ on Planet E actually. Right now I have lot of stuff I need to finish off which should be out by the end of the year, but first of all I need to finish the project with Timo!

Thanks Martin!

Published: 19/05/2008

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