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Q&A with Thomas P Heckmann
You’re no stranger to our War Of The Worlds, playing the inaugural event way back in 1997. What, if any, are your memories of that party? Do you still wistfully look back to ‘the good old days’?
I´m not a person who is always looking back, I´m looking more into the future.
The last WOTW was pretty cool and I was overwhelmed by all the fans.
It´s very nice that I give so many people something for their lives.
In 1997 you were famed for playing trance, but recent sets have seen you being labeled as playing everything from techno to electro. How would you describe your current sound? What can Melbourne expect this time around?
I was never trance. In Germany all trance now is really shit. I did electronic music and my track Amphetamine changed the so called trance scene a lot, but I always was Techno and will always be.
With all facets of it .
Of course, you’re best known for ‘Amphetamine’ under the Drax moniker – a very different sound to the techno of 2002! How and why did your style change? What has influenced you in recent years to shape your sound?
My style hasn´t really changed, but I always try to progress myself. It´s all still Heckmann style !
To the future. You’re an elder statesman in electronic music circles, where do you see dance music and your music heading? Have you got any more anthems that will mimic Amphetamine’s success in the pipeline? When are you going to slow down?!
I have so much things that I want to do and I have so many ideas still . I guess I will go on for the rest of my life anyway . I don´t plan my music, it´s just do or do not . The future is open .
I daresay you’re in a pretty good position to tell us about the state of techno at the moment. Is techno thriving? What changes are afoot? What region’s techno is really exciting at the moment?
That´s too long of a story . Everything is running in parallel, thousands of producers putting out thousands of records every week . It´s hard to find the diamonds in-between . But the idea of Kraftwerk – that everyone can do music – finally materialised, but it didn´t make the music better !
Finally, back to this trip: you’re billed as playing “100% Live”. What equipment will you be bringing?
To say playing 100% live and playing Techno is a bit odd to say. I surely use sequencers and drum machines . But I don´t use a Laptop on stage and I will use a few analogues like 303/101/Minimoog/ARP Odyssey. It´s all rockin´ !
Thanks Thomas, see you soon in Melbourne!
Thanks and looking forward to come to Oz again.
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Published / Wednesday, 18 September 2002
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