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One of your top 10 DJs of 2009 pops in for a rare insight into her varied influences.
Magda is among the last of what seems like a dying breed, a DJ that has made a career based solely around their talents behind the decks. The Minus mainstay has put her name to a production or two, but the reason that she has been among your favourite DJs of the past few years has nothing to do with anything except what she puts forth in a live setting. Her 2006 mix CD, She's a Dancing Machine has come to represent a defining moment in Minus' rise to prominence, and her blend-happy mix for fabric last year once again showcased the possibilities of the form.
For her entry into RA's podcast series, Magda doesn't get quite as deep into the mix, instead opting for a more accurate representation of what you might hear from her at a private afterparty: Stone-cold bangers of recent and classic vintage. Letting things breathe, she puts together tracks from Black Devil Disco Club, Lindstrom, Chris and Cosey and ESG into something she simply calls "a fun summer mix." We wholeheartedly agree.
What have you been working on recently?
I have been working on an album and several remixes.
Your debut album has been in the works for quite a while now. How is it going?
Yes, it's finally finished and the release date will be announced in the next few weeks. I had so much recorded material from the last three years, and it all finally came together in the way I wanted so I'm happy.
How and where was the mix recorded?
I recorded the mix using Ableton while I was traveling and in my studio in Berlin. I had to clean up a lot of the old tracks and try to make them sound better in the mix. That was the hard part.
Can you tell us a little about this idea behind the mix?
I just wanted to make a fun summer mix, and something much different than I have done in the past. I used a lot of my favorite old post-punk/disco/electro tracks, many of which I would not be able to license for a DJ mix. It was really, really fun to put together.
As a performer, which style of DJing do you enjoy the most? More of a loop-based approach, or using your timecoded vinyl?
I do many edits, but in general I don't like to play loops. I like when tracks build and change. I prefer to only mix two things at a time. At the moment I still use timecode vinyl, but I am working on a new set-up for the fall.
You're known for your punishing tour schedule. Do you have any particular favorite spots to DJ, and why?
Haha, am I known for that? Punishing indeed, but it's fun! There are so many lovely places to play, and I'm happy to be able to play there. I have to say my nights in Germany at Robert Johnson and Loft Club have become my favorites. The atmosphere is small, dark and hot, and the crowd is with you the whole night. It's really fun to do long sets there.
What are you up to next?
I'm going to start working on a live show for next year. In the meantime, I'm going to do some remixes and a DJ mix for BBC radio in the UK.
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