Berlin-based DJ and producer Aaaron is making waves with his signature uplifting and percussive tech-house sound. His passion for music started with his exposure to the 80’s tunes that his parents spun when he was a child; from there, he discovered the hard-hitting breakbeats of hip hop, which ultimately led him to begin experimenting with creating his own sounds. Aaaron has announced that he will be bringing out a brand new EP later this month, ‘Aware’, available via London label connected, on 23rd November.
We caught up with Aaaron and chatted about influences, being ‘aware’ of moments, and his upcoming EP.
Listen to the ‘Moon’ EP that Aaaron brought out earlier this year, in collaboration with producers Deckert and Valentine, below.
Hey there. Gritty, Percussive, Melodic Electronic Music
How did it all start for you? Why music?
I started with Hiphop in the 90s. Making beats and sampling. Around 2003 I started doing more and more Electronic Music. In the beginning I think it was the pure fascination about the technical aspect. How easy it was to create something with a computer or a sampler. The possibilities were endless and you didn’t need to buy a ton of hardware. I think I started with Magix Music Maker on PC. Later then Reason and Wavelab.
Which three albums would you say influenced your sound the most?
Souls of Mischief – ‘93 ‘Til Infinity’ (Full Album) for organic groove and tape saturation : )
Efdemin – ‘Efdemin’ (2007) on Dial
Apparat – ‘Lost All My Shit In Tel Aviv (Live)’ (Shitkatapult Empfiehlt / Strike 075)
Are there any key pieces of equipment that you can’t live without?
Mfb Tanzbär, my Modular, my Neumann Speakers, my UAD Apollo and Soundtoys.
What are some of your key influences in your music? Whether it be sounds created by others, imagery, films, art etc…
Actually a lot of influences nowadays come from youtube videos about production in general and eurorack modules. Every morning I spend at least 1 hour watching those with a coffee. It’s a bit like when I started music. There are a million possibilities of workflow you can adapt and use in your own kinda ways or ways to sculpt sound or improve in quality.
Ann Annie, Colin Benders or Steevio for example. Of course I am also a DJ so the music I love to play also influences me a lot. There are so many great Artists out there, I discover new ones every day.
What is one sub-genre you think doesn’t get the attention it deserves?
I think in general we all have the problem that we think too much about genres and sub-genres. I see Electronic Music as a whole because when I started it totally felt like that. A Night, a club, or a DJ or Live Set was not so much one sub-genre as it is today. A lot of people for example who are into techno nowadays don’t care about anything else. Its ok, I guess, but it is as sad as those who don’t care about the history of electronic music.
Any new or upcoming artists on your radar that the world should know about?
Definitely to watch out for are Nandu, Florian Busse and Nyvs. I always play at least 1-2 tracks of them in my DJ sets.
You’ve got a brand new EP coming out later this month, ‘Aware’ – congrats! Tell us a bit more about the process of putting the tracks together.
Thank you. They were all produced around the same time or even after each other. So they all have a similar approach that made them fit perfect together. After my last releases I wanted to go back to a more reduced approach. A bit more futuristic, maybe dark and more “electronic” than organic.
Can you tell us more about any particular track on the EP that you’re especially excited to share with the world?
‘Janus’ is really important to me as I think it’s not the one most people pick on the first listen. It’s more of a tension builder and I think it’s very hypnotic. I try a lot to archive this for most of my tracks but most of the time it just happens by accident.
What single night out has been the most memorable for you? As a performer? As an attendee?
I think first time in Ibiza when I played at Ushuaia and after the gig we went to DC 10 and it was a Monday. I have to call that “magic”. As a performer most gigs have something memorable that I will always remember. If you are “Aware” of moments you can easily remember them : )
What can we expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or gigs in the pipeline that you would like to tell us about?
A lot is happening. I’m putting more and more music out because feel like I’m more satisfied with what I produce than some years ago. So expect a lot of tracks in the next months. My project with my friend Deckert continues and also the journey on connected.
And before we say goodbye – famous last words?
Those who are free of resentful thoughts surely find peace. < Buddha
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