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the hertz interview
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| Psy-T |
Hello again Pierre, And thanks for taking the time to do this
interview, I'll get right to the questions:
Q: Who is Hertz? (I'm just looking for a short biography, Since not too many biographies of you exists out there, Actually non at all)
A: This is not really short....but you can edit this in any way you want...hold your horses..here we go...
BIOGRAPHY
Described as one of the hottest techno producers currently around Sweden, Hertz (Pierre J), has been devastating the underground dance scene over recent years with an array of productions and remixes on a variety of new and established labels, since he re launched his Q Records imprint in 2001. However prior to this Pierre has already had an extensive production and recording career during the world wide explosion of dance music in the 90's, that most are completely unaware of.
Born in Gothenburg 1972, he was originally hooked on music via the Electro and Synth movement during the 80s championed by the likes of Depeche Mode, Kraftwerk, Jean Michel Jarre, Human League, and Afrika Bambaataa. By the end of the 80s he had completely emerged himself into Gothenburgıs DJ scene, gaining numerous residencies. A 2nd place in Swedenıs National 1991 DMC DJ Championship, led to him representing Sweden in the European finals, where upon he finished second again. For the following year, he attained 1st place in Sweden, and automatically qualified for the DMC World DJ Championship Final, which was eventually won by Rock Steady (USA) and with Pierre achieving a highly credible 5th place.
Shortly after, his reputation spread and by 1994 Pierreıs remixes and productions were gracing the likes of PolyGram, Tempo, Warner Music, Stockholm Records and EVA Records for a variety of their numerous chart projects and chart topping bands.
By 1995, Pierre was nominated for Best Producer and Best Remixer categories for the prestigious Swedish Dance Music Awards, and by the end of that year, had completed 10 productions and over 40 remixes for the likes of Virgin, MCA, EMI, Sony Music, BMG, Edel and many more. To capitalise, Pierre then set up his own production company Q-Park, complete with record company and publishing arm, the same year he received four nominations in various categories at the Swedish Dance Music Awards and a further 2 in 1997. Having remixed and produced for some of Swedenıs biggest acts in this buoyant period, totalling more than 150, this resulted in 74 reaching Top 40 status in Swedish Dance Chart, 30 reaching Top 10 and 5 attaining the No. 1 position.
For 2001, whilst the other Swedish Production Heavyweights like Max Martin (Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys), Anders Bagge (Destinyıs Child, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Lopez) were still retaining their chart credentials, Pierre decided to tackle the ruthless and volatile underground dance scene with his labels Q Records, Abyss and Sway recordings, via the underground. Influenced by his deep rooted passion for underground music, Pierre has since recorded under numerous new alias including Ekkoheadz, Man To Man, Espionage, Homerun, Endurance, Sidechained, Powers That Be, Pierre J, Afro Beat Kingz, and his various styles have picked up widespread International support. Which then then led to releases on Defected, Fluential and also SAW Recordings.
However it is with his techno imprint Sway and his harder production moniker Hertz, which has really been the driving force over the past 2 years, where Hertz is seen as part of the new wave of Swedish techno talent.
After starting the label of with some solid collaboration with the likes of Johan Bacto (Zync, Mankind, Skunkworks, Countdown2000), Tobias von Hofsten (Dark Disco, Illegal Stockholm, Theory, Drumcode, and Primate) and Hardcell (Mankind, Zync, CLR, Jericho, AMC), Hertz was ready to go it alone by release no 4 and become the main focus for the label, which has recently celebrated its 10th release across 2 discs with remixes from the likes of Cave, Ignition Technician, Valentino Kanzyani, Lars Klein, Paul Mac and more.
Since 2003 Hertz has also graced the likes of some of the scenes most respected and championed labels including Primate, Recycled Loops, Mankind, Drumcode, Wet Musik, Phont, SLS, Tortured, Zync, Zync Grooves, Primevil to name a few, he is currently one of the most in demand producers and remixers in the Techno Scene. Lookout as Hertz now hits the road, with his deadly DJ antics and also live set up, already confirmed following the success of his ³Recreate² track, is his debut live performance for the highly respected Dance Valley festival, and the aforementioned track will become the official theme tune for the festival.
Pierreıs, fully comprehensive studio set up, and also vast knowledge of programming and dance floor dynamics, means that he will still be producing, long after others have thrown in the towel or retired, for further info please check www.q-park.se <http://www.q-park.se/>
With current supporters including Carl Cox, Saeed & Palash, Timo Maas, Deep Dish, Peace Division, Danny Tenaglia, Seb Fontaine, Judge Jules, Lexicon Avenue, Lemon 8, Chab, Mixmaster, Bryan Zentz, Angel Alanis, Umek, DJ Remy, James Holden, DJ Nukem, Mr C, Josh Wink, Mauro Picotto, Trevor Rockliffe, Tall Paul, Fergie, Lee Burridge, Satoshi Tommie, Simon Dunmore (Defected), Red Jerry (Hooj Choons), Plastic Fantastic, Steve Lawler, John Digweed, Hernan Catteneo, Warren Clarke, Pete Tong, Richie Hawtin, Umek, Carl Cox, Adam Beyer, Dave Clarke, Jeff Mills, Cari Lekebusch, Pascal FEOS, Henrik B, Dave Angel, Samuel L Session, Johan Bacto, Technasia, Fergie, Tim Xavier, Paul Mac, Lucca, Billy Nasty, Valentino Kanzyani, Stanny Franssen, BK, Misstress Barbara, DJ Misjah, Tiesto, Ferry Corsten, Laurent Garnier, Phil Kieran and Chris Liebing.
And with now over 35 Hertz productions/ remixes currently rocking dance floors across the globe, you wont have to go far to come across his infectious dance floor production style.
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Q: Why did you decide on the name Hertz?
A: Hmm...can't remember really.... I wanted to have something sounding a bit electronic...and hertz is a term you use a lot....so...why not?
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Q: How and when did you get involved in techno music? and what were you doing before 'Hertz'?
A: From how I see it, there are many different schools of techno but for me, it was first synth, electro and electronica in early 80's and then over to acid-house in the late 80's and then the big techno-explosion in early 90's that's been catching my attention. I bought a lot of music since I started to play out as a DJ - in 1989, and a lot were from the early days on R&S, XL, WARP, RISING HIGH and other such labels.
Before hertz, who is only 3 years old, I produced over 250 records over the 10 years period between 1994-2004. Some were good but a lot of were crap. I've been living on music for all my life and in the early days of producing, I rathered get paid, then to do a specific kind of music. I'm really happy now to be able to work with the music I really love.
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Q: What kind of music do you listen to on your spare time?
A: It varies. I love ambient. From the old school Eno to Jarre but also newer productions like Future Sounds Of London and various brand new ambient stuff. Usually there is not much spare time with music as I spend most of my time producing all the time, and also catching up with all new techno stuff.
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Q: Where does your inspiration comes from when producing new tracks?
A: It also varies. It could come from an old house track from 1993 as well as from a new sound on a synth that I'm playing around with.
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Q: When you are about to go on for a new crowd, People who have never seen you live before, what is going through your head?
A: To be honest..I haven't had many gigs as Hertz yet. But I think it's always the same. I try to really do my best and give a good show. Not so much a show, but really good and strong music. I'm also trying to be on the edge of new technology all the time and I've been around since the time when a single CD-R costed more than 30 US Dollar (25 Euro). From vinyl to CD and now with computers.
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Q: What were your best & worst gigs?
A: Worst, I can't say..but I can say that after playing out like 10 years, 3 times a week, there have been some really strange things happening... A really good gig was this summer at Summer Gathering in Croatia, together with Valentino Kanzyani, Umek and Christian Varella. It was a really good time!
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Q: Do you feel the need to incorporate new technologies into your sets, thereby not just playing tracks from vinyl and/or CD, but adding more of a live element into your sets, such as with Ableton Live?
A: As I was the Swedish Champ in DMC Mixing back in 1992, and no 5 in the world, I kind of felt that I could do whatever on the turntables and there were time to move on to be more on the edge. That's were the CD and samplers came in. I've been playing around with almost everything I guess, aswell as in the studio of course. I was also a developer for the program PCDJ back in 1999 and the main creative source in all the updates from 3.5-5.0.
In 2000 I had a weekly show on the national radio and I played only mp3's. I was the only one who worked in this way on a national radio it obviously became more and more accepted since.
Today I'm taking part in developing a new software that will blow people away. A fun part is to bring new ideas to this world. So my simple answer to your question is yes.
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Q: Who would you like to work with, That you haven't?
A: Hmm...tricky question... I would say Depeche Mode or Jean-Michael or any of my other heroes from the past.
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Q: What do you have planned for the future?
A: Nothing really. Right now I'm very focused on making Hertz one of the big techno producers although I don't play much out at all. Beside all of this I have a family and 2 kids and there are other things in life for me. But as long as there's demand, I'll be around bringing new stuff on. Music is a very big part of my life and that's where I get my income from ....
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Q: What do you think of all the new subgenres in techno that are making it big at the moment? Both minimal and hardtechno have been flourishing over the past few months (hardtechno even longer), Are you influenced by it in any way?
A: Yeah... I really like minimal stuff. I'm right now setting my label ABYSS back into action with focus on minimal bits. We have 3 really strong releases coming up very soon. Check www.q-park.se for more info.
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Q: Where do you think the future of techno is going?
A: Hard to say. I am kind of wondering if I'm totally off sometimes as I don't like so much of the new stuff that is out there....but as I see most of the big names and people that I really like, playing my records, then I think "at least I'm on track". If I look at it from a 15 years perspective, I think it needs to take directions all the time to stay alive. Now it seems like harder and harder, or more minimal.
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Q: Do you see it becoming more mainstream?
A: Not really. I think the "techno-hits" back in '92 were a lot more, than the hits of 2004. It is really around 5 tracks a year that catch the attention big time.
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Q: Is there any presently unknown artist (or dj) you think we should keep our eyes and ears out for?
A: I think Tim Track, who has done remixes for SWAY and soon to be out on ABYSS could make it. He is doing really interesting things at the moment.
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Q: And finally, The two ancient debates: Software vs. Hardware?
A: Software. My studio a year ago looked like this: http://www.q-park.se/360/studio.htm And 3 years ago there were more then 40 keyboards + modules in there but things do move forward and when you once had a chance to own everything you really loved, you could decide what you really use in the end, and it's definitely been softs taking over that.
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Q: How do you feel about file sharing?
A: Hmm... I Like the rebell-aspect of it, as in going against everyone and just taking what you like anytime. But on the other hand, it is killing all of us and I know there are a lot of producers that had to quit because they couldn't afford it any more. And that tells you that this could not be right.
I really hope that if everybody took a dollar or euro for their song, that a lot of people would pay you, instead of stealing. But right now I'm only selling vinyl in my shop www.q-park.se but will probably soon also sell mp3s.
Again, Thanks a lot for your time Pierre.
With much due respect
Alon Klein (Psy-T) |
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| Haak |
cool interview
no idea he had been around so long :) |
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| basd |
Indeed a very good interview, a lot of this I didn't know yet.
And you've included my questions.. woohoo :) |
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| Ian^ |
| good interview, nice to see some good techno artists getting exposure here to numb out the pain of some of what's about :p |
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| Psy-T |
| thx for the comments guys, and btw, dont hold you're breath for the adam beyer interview. his agent completely lost intrest when i told him its for an internet forum, and not some magazine :/ |
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| benni |
nice interview indeed
and that studio is a killer! |
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| Icesotope |
Great interviewing session dude
damn it hertz... :D |
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| Psy-T |
on a happy note, an interview with pig & dan has just been confirmed
im starting a thread to round up some questions, come by and contribute :toocool: |
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| Radagast |
| Well I guess all I have to say is that I like DJ Misjah's early acid productions more than his Techno stuff now. |
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