We caught up with all round music man Ron Wilson for an open discussion on his time in Berlin, how his career in music has developed, his opinions on how things have changed in the city and upcoming projects and events to keep your eyes peeled for. A humbled man heavily involved in Berlins movements. Things to consider..
THE BEGINNING
When it began…
My first encounter with Techno was in 2002 when I was working a couple of nights as a runner collecting glasses and bottles, re-filling the bar etc. at the old Tresor. Back then I was only really aware of German hard techno/trance and did not like it at all. Working the nights there made me realize that the genre has many different facets and that there is a lot more to it than just the music itself.
At that time I was heavily into abstract electronic music and the so-called IDM. After a while in combination with going out to parties where House and Techno was played, I got into the repetitive rhythms and trance like state when dancing. I was hooked! In 2007 I started working as a runner at Watergate and picked up the artists from the airport. Eventually I started doing parties of my own with my good friend Katovl Menovsky as "Tanzmichmal". After a while with making my own experience in managing events I was promoted to night manager and after that assisting the office with bookings, logistics and organisation until end of 2013.
How it helped…
It helped a great deal of learning the professional ropes and getting to know good people. Watergate gave me the opportunity to host my own nights every two months on a Wednesday and "Submarine" was born representing house, house and more f*ing house music (coming February will mark the 3-year anniversary). I quit working for Watergate since this year to focus on my label "777 Recordings" and more on my djing/nights. Still doing the Submarine for a little while longer though. I had so many memorable nights there with Prosumer, Brawther, Rick Wade, Fabio Monesi, Simoncino, Wbeeza, Mr. Ties and great locals such as Iron Curtis, Marc FM, Johannes Albert, Marc Schneider...
What the future holds for Submarine I don't know, nothing lasts forever and sometimes it is good to close chapters with a good vibe and not let something fade out as I still have my Tanzmichmal and other projects to focus on.
BERLIN CHANGING AND YOUR PLACE IN THE CITY
The change…
Berlin has changed a lot over the last 5 years and even the years before that but for many other reasons. When the wall came down for example a lot was possible to initiate and so the electronic dance music scene emerged in full force. Berlin has always been a forward thinking place. Back then when the wall came up people who moved to West-Berlin didn't need to join the military and so young artists, students and immigrants/ex-pats built the foundation of the Berlin we have now. It has always been a vibrant place.
Now we have another era coming up with property rights and licensing laws changing, rent prices going up, major increase in tourism and the quantity of parties in the city rising like crazy. So with all that and competition growing it changes the parties, the booking, the crowd, the city...it is all related.
Bookings in Berlin…
With more and more tourists the number of parties have increased (not neccessarily the quality, haha) which of course brings competition and promotion has become gradually more difficult but at the same time the local crowds are very loyal to their parties so some things never stop.
Staying in Berlin?
If I wan’t to stay in Berlin...Funny you ask. I was born, grew up here and have always been here when I’m not away but I like to travel and see other things and it could soon be time. It’s not just to do with the changes here. With that of course gentrification brings pros and cons but we won't get into that. I am a typical complaining berliner, haha. I am coming to a time where I think I need to check other places and think it could be good to focus on my "life/career" more.
Why…
I play here, we go out here, there’s always something. I love it and I won't leave forever. Maybe I’m just exhausted from summer. For moving, I am deeply connected to Amsterdam too and have friends there so that could be good but there is also a similar scene there too, maybe just somewhere quieter for a break. Croatia is my new love and Zagreb's scene is growing. So many hidden talents there. The country has so much to offer...possibly exactly what I am looking for.
TOURISTS
Your opinion…
Tourists, I don’t mind...as long as they behave, haha! Of course things change and happen to parties but sometimes you look around and it’s the tourists who are really appreciating it, sometimes more than locals. Maybe we are too spoilt.
The change…
Things used to be smaller and more relaxed but at the same time the techno and house itself has exploded so much since then so it’s expected. People should not forget that although some stereotypes sit, idiots have no nationality and they are present anywhere you go. Sure it’s more noticeable in club or certain places but it’s just down to the environment that is created for over consumption.
HARDWARE
What you like…
Making music has always been more of a hobby. A place where i can escape. I had a guitar from a young age so those kind of sounds and use of synths and filters have always interested me. I prefer the touch and feel of hardware, I’m not much of a laptop guy. Drum machines are more fun to play around. I like touching knobs, haha!
TANZMICHMAL
What does it mean...
So it’s kind of a play on words. It is a play on the German for "kiss my ass" and the word "dance". It kind of means dance my ass – but what it represents is a night for friends and dancing with nothing else. No bullshit just a party and good music.
When did it start…
It began in 2008 as a project with my friend Katovl Menovsky. First it was just a residents night for us and friends, always in different locations making each one individual. After two years Katovl and I went seperate ways in terms of doing parties together. Tanzmichmal is still going strong at places like Tresor, Arena Club, Chalet, Watergate, About Blank for example. I am proud and happy to have had amazing artists such as Vakula, Basic Soul Unit, Recondite, Hunee, DJ Sotofett or young talents like Henry Gilles, Benedikt Frey, Trevor Deep Jr., Hinode play.
Your parties…
For my parties I like to think different every time and keep the artists different. It has to match the venue and what I want with the party. The perspective of the music should be left open each time. I like all sorts of dance music so depending on the spot I book anything from techno to house to disco to cosmic to whatever. I recommend to check out the Tanzmichmal podcast series to get an idea of it all! I change it up most time so for example the Arena Club or Tresor allows a harder sound in relation to Chalet or Watergate which is probably more suited to House music.
MUSIC INTEREST
Your interests…
It took me a while to grasp the number of sub-genres within dance music when I was younger. It’s so vast so what I play is diverse depending on my mood. I am of course into my techno but it depends on the venue. Sometimes yes I like the garage and bassy sounds but it’s all eclectic. I guess 90’s stuff fused a lot of sounds together so growing up then I just like it. I am also a big fan of Mala and Digital Mystikz to which could be some influence. I also like the weird and trippy stuff so I am making some different kind of house music with a friend Brighton in Croatia. When I make releases with my label I want to make it for many situations, not just for out but for home too.
Special Sets…
I played a very special set in the garden at Chalet a little while back. I started off with some weird cosmic balaeric kraut rock-disco stuff with my friend Katovl then on to a 4 hour african music frenzy. Watergate's Waterfloor in the morning is quite an experience and the new Tresor booth is really enjoyable as a dj. Playing 5 hours at Homopatik, About Blank early this year was such a blast! But it is everything and everyone coming together for a good time that makes it special.
NEW PROJECTS
I am starting a new series of nights for the Arena Club called "Tough Love" in November with the likes of Dj TLR, Koehler, Gunnar Haslam, Ngly, Call Super, Helena Hauff etc. and some more stuff coming out on 777 Recordings with some more drum machine jamming á la Ossa Jams, Solo releases and a few more VA Eps which are fun putting together finding interesting new talents. There is so much good music out there.
RON WILSON EXCLUSIVE PODCAST...
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