In conversation with M.A.N.DY
We grabbed the opportunity for an exclusive interview with German Duo M.A.N.D.Y before their performance at the Get Physical party at The Qube Project next 14th February in London.
* So guys how did you come up with the name M.A.N.D.Y.?
M.A.N.D.Y. was supposed to be a pseudonym for us as DJs to hide behind - unsuccessfully. It turned to be our second real name now.
* How would you describe M.A.N.D.Y. in 3 words
* Who have you got teaming alongside M.A.N.D.Y. and who do we need to watch out for?
A label always works in cycles. You find people, they ride with you for some time and then they take off to new adventures which is fine of course. We are working closely with Paolo Rocco, German Brigante, Emanuel Satie at the moment. Three very promising artists. It’s a pleasure to work with them and very inspiring to us as well...
* What 5 acts would you book for a Get Physical party and why?
Out of all the bands? We would reunite The Verve, a Get Physical all star team with DJ T., Booka Shade and us (all 6 behind the machines), David Bowie, Radiohead and Siopis.
Otherwise we had very successful and musically interesting label nights lately with Tim Green’s Live Show cause it’s powerful and trippy, the Blond:ish girls as for their energy and early morning sets, Paulo Rocco for warming it up just perfectly and in the morning he has a lot to show as well, German Brigante for kicking some ass, Francesco Tristano for some Techno action and Who Made Who as they are one of the most energetic three piece bands i know.
* You guys have played at many festivals over the years, what one would you say was the best?
We think you can’t compare in our job. Everything has it’s challenges and satisfaction. A highlight is as well to play in front of half a million people at the love parade or in Tulum in mexico at 6am at the beach and celebrate a new day with your friends and look at smiling faces all around. So there is not THE one festival for us.
* What country parties the hardest?
I think in Israel there is a very solid party culture.
But we have to say lots of cities now have never ending parties going on. in NYC you can go literally from Friday to Monday morning too. Before it was more a Berlin thing.
The non stop raving culture has reached many cities now.
* What can we expect from you this 2015?
We just released our EP Gizmo which hit the top 10 genre charts which is always nice as there are up to 30.000 new releases each week. And we do have lots of music in the pipeline. After all those long years of only touring we finally made it to the studio again. Worked a lot in Brooklyn and Berlin. Very excited about all the music. And we want to play a little less to make space for music and inspiration time again…
* Can you remember some of your first DJ gigs – how did it feel when you first got on the decks and played a crowd?
I can remember that quite well. It was very very early. In 1991 at the Airport Club called "Arthur’s" in Geneva. We were a lil tipsy and the turntables had only knobs to turn and no pitch. The whole gig was a mess, but a good one.
It takes a while until you know to read the crowd. It helped as well to DJ at a lot of weddings as you get to know all different kinds of people there. Not that you always have to play after the people, but at the end you are a DJ and you are booked to make a party or at least make people dance. It’s not about you, it’s about the whole night. So don’t take yourself too important.
* What are your current musical influences?
We like the album of Andy Stott, the new album of Fatima, Grace Jones, John Talabot, Chet Baker and many many more...
* Three of your most visited blogs?
We are not very big blog nerds. We actually talk so much with people and records store owners or designers or friends. sorry we can’t be of great help here.
* What particular memory makes you smile when you think back?
Soooooooo many. We laugh a lot about each other. So that is why travelling together is big fun. Hard work very often, but we’ll make sure we never loose the smile.
* One last question, we have had some crazy riders over the years, anything we should prepare for?
I think we do have the easiest one at the moment. Still and sparkling water, fresh lemon juice, if possible some fresh ginger and a car with four wheels. If you are really focused on the music the other stuff gets a lil less important.
So we are happy to do what we do :)
But we can tell you in private what we had in the past %-)
Thank you very much! We look forward to having you at The Qube Project next Saturday 14th Feb!
Thanx a lot for having us. Always great to come back to swinging and raving London!!!!
For more information & tickets for the event > bit.ly/QubeMandy
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