Just months after its debut tour earlier this year, seminal Cologne imprint Kompakt is heading back to Australia for the second time.
Matias Aguayo and The Modernist will be touring together under the "Kompakt 2" banner, playing dates together in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. The announcement of Aguoyo's Australian appearance coincides with the release of his sophomore solo LP, Ay Ay Ay, which heavily impressed RA's Derek Miller with its "street-carnival aesthetic. The man behind The Modernist is Jorg Burger, who's been a part of the Kompakt stable since the early-'00s. His smooth, melodic take on the Cologne techno sound has won him many fans, and he's been co-producing with Kompakt co-founder Wolfgang Voigt since the mid-'90s.
Last month, we had a brief conversation with Voigt's fellow label head Michael Mayer, asking him what he thinks about the brand's return to Australia. "It's great to see Australians embracing Kompakt," he enthuses. "I've heard Jennifer Cardini, Popnoname and Sid LeRock had a great time on tour, so I'm sure the rest of the guys will too." We also also took the chance to touch base with Matias Aguayo over the weekend, and get the lowdown on his new album, his relationship with Jorg Burger, and how he's planning to spend his Christmas in Australia. You're due out in Australia shortly. This is your first time, right? Any sights you're keen to check out?
Honestly, I don't know so much, but I'm very, very curious. One thing I could mention is the Great Barrier Reef, for instance, as I have developed a huge fascination for sub-aquatic life.
Your album has just been released. What's life like just days before your own album is put out? Stressful, or just extremely busy?
Very busy indeed, but it doesn't feel stressful at all. Busy and easy, and very happy, because it was a long way coming.
What music were you listening to during the writing and recording process? Does anything stand out as an influence?
I don't know if something stands out, but here is a small list: Andres Landero, Jackie Mittoo, Talking Heads, Mike Ink, some afro-Peruvian music, Michael Jackson, Mike Dunn, Manu Dibango's "O Boso", Bobby Konders, Don Chezina, and obviously all the music my amigos Cómeme make, like Rebolledo and Diego Morales and Ana Helder, etc...
Have you been playing many of Ay Ay Ay's tracks in your DJ sets, lately? How have the reactions been?
I have been playing it, and it always went down very well. You see, it is like the music I want to hear on a dance floor, and also what I like to play. There are records where you must be an experienced DJ to play them. You must get the right moment, you must seduce people somehow to get to it, and so on. I still believe in this kind of DJing. I like DJs who don't play typical music and, who in respect to the people, are never willing to underestimate the audiences.
You're playing a number of shows with Jorg Burger. Have you spent much time with Jorg in the past?
Yes, considering I lived in Cologne for a long time, so I've known him for ages, but we never concretely worked on something. I am very much looking forward to traveling with him! He's one of the greatest Cologne musicians, for sure.
Any last words before you land in Australia in December?
Maybe I won't make it back home for Christmas, so I wonder if someone could post a comment telling me what would be the best way to spending Christmas in Australia!
Tickets to Aguayo's Sydney boat party appearance are available from RA Tickets.