Light My Beyer

Sweden has a strong reputation for producing top producers/DJs, why do you think this is?

There is a very rich music scene in Sweden, not necessarily electronic music but music in general. Loads of people produce music in Sweden and it is encouraged in the schools with many having midi studios or coaxing students to perform. The weather also plays its part. With cold temperatures for more than half the year its no surprise that people stay inside and so I guess making music is more interesting than watching TV. It is also the case that Swede’s tend to be very internationally aware so producers are always comparing themselves with the best there is around the world and this pushes up the standard.

Your labels, Drumcode, Mad Eye and Truesoul have been known for releasing quality techno since their conception. Do you feel the climate for releasing records has changed since when you started out? What effect does that have on the running of your labels?

Lots of things have changed for sure, like the size of the vinyl market and the trends that come and go, but basically the approach to the labels has remained pretty consistent since the start. Each label has its own feel and this is a big part of how we look at things. Drumcode is all about the big sounding tracks while Truesoul is more about a deeper sound and allowing producers to do something a little bit different to the norm. Mad Eye is my own personal project which is my outlet for experimenting either with the sound of the records or by working on collaborations with other producers.

Do you have plans for any new releases yourself?

I am actually in the busiest period of my own releases for a while right now. I have a track out on Chris Liebing’s CLR right now which I did as part of their 10 Year album project and I have just finished two collaboration EPs with Alexi Delano. One will be released on Drumcode and the other on Mad Eye. I am always trying to find time to write more but it just happened that recently these tracks came together all at the same time. Sometimes you can’t predict when these things will happen but I am really happy with all the tracks.

What do you look for in a record before it becomes a part of your set?

Usually if it fits with the rest, it can be a big track with an obvious theme or a tool to connect tracks, but usually I like things which grab my attention direct after a few seconds.

You have also been cited as having an affinity with artists who focus on the harder side of techno, like Luke Slater and Surgeon; how relevant do you feel that style is today with the rise of more minimal and tech house sounds?

I wouldn't say minimal and tech house is on the rise in 2010, it's been dance music fashion for about five years. If anything I feel like old school techno is on the rise. I have huge respect for people like Luke Slater and Surgeon since I grew up on their stuff and a lot of their work used to inspire me and occasionally still does.