Steve Bug is a bit of a legend. He’s been around for a long while now, establishing his label Poker Flat as a home for high quality club music, while also building his own reputation as a skilled selector and a great producer, too. The label celebrated 15 years in the business last year and he’s soon to drop a new solo EP, so we caught up with him for a chinwag…
So, to begin, can you tell us a little bit about your label’s recent anniversary and what you did to celebrate?
We’ve been celebrating 15 years with label showcases in major cities in Europe like London, Berlin, Paris, Amsterdam, Zürich and so on. We also did a compilation where the idea was to ask artists that we respect to remix one of our classics, or for them to produce a totally new, exclusive track for this special occasion.
In all the years of running a label, what’s been the most difficult problem to overcome?
It doesn’t feel like we’ve ever had to overcome any major difficulties, to be honest it’s been quite a smooth ride until now. I’m sure we have had some problems in all those years, but I can’t really think of anything major right now.
What would say is the most satisfying aspect of running a label?
Being able to release great music, and to discover and help build careers of young artists like Tim Engelhardt, who is going to release an amazing EP this June.
Over the years the ‘scene’ has progressed and evolved, how has Poker Flat adapted to these changes?
Our main focus was, and still is, to release music that we like, no matter what other people think about it. We have our own vision of what is worth releasing. Even though people might say that we have a ‘signature sound’, we are open to new influences and styles. It is terrible to see what some people do to become, or stay, hip these days. Music shouldn’t be about fashion, it should be about passion.
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned over the past 15 years?
Nothing is predictable.
Did you ever have any low moments where you regretted starting the label?
No, never. It’s like my child and, like Dessous and Audiomatique (my other two labels), I am very happy to have them in my life.
Which track would you say defined Poker Flat in its early years? And which track defines Poker Flat in the year 2015?
My track ‘Loverboy’ is the definition of the beginning I’d say. Although in general I don’t want a single track to define the whole label, as I feel that would be very narrow-minded if we only released just one particular sound at a certain time. But over the years there had been many great tracks and they are all different I think. Like John Tejada’s ‘Sweat’, Martin landsky’s ‘1000 miles’, Guido Schneider’s ‘Removed’. Alex Niggemann’s’ Materium’, Mihai Popoviciu’s ‘Time’, the list goes on! And of course, the Trentemøller album ‘The Last Resort’…
What does the future hold for the label?
I don’t know. Hopefully a bright future. We have signed so many great EPs for the coming months, there is a new EP coming from me in mid-May, an EP by an exciting young talent named Tim Engelhardt, who I mentioned just now, and a new Martin Landsky release. Plus a debut on Poker Flat by Andre Hommen, a new Daniel Dexter and so on… I am really happy about all the new additions to the catalogue.
What’s happening with you, on a solo level?
A lot of touring and studio work. As I said, I have new EP (‘Coconut Paradise’) upcoming, which will be released in May on Poker Flat, plus a few remixes and of course more stuff that I can’t quite talk about yet.
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We see you’ve revived Traffic Signs, what made you decide to bring the alias back?
It was more to do with the vibe that the track had, for me it wasn’t a Steve Bug track, it had more of a Traffic Signs feel.
Will we be seeing more from that name in the future then?
Depends on what’s happening in the studio, but yes I do have a plan for another one. Let’s see if I can finish it!
As a label owner and touring DJ, you have to keep on top of new talent and labels so we wanted to ask you to recommend some new artists and labels that you’re really feeling right now…
Hmmm, in general I am leaning towards music that is released on vinyl only these days. It is just that raw vibe that I am feeling right now. It feels like coming home after a long exciting tour. That’s why we are pushing out a Poker Flat ‘wax only’ series, starting with Kindimmer after the summer. It will be a home for basic house and techno grooves for DJs who concentrate more on their craft, than raising their hands and doing fist pumps all the time.
Finish the sentence, ‘Without house and techno I would…’
Not be myself.
Steve Bug ‘Coconut Paradise’ EP is out on Poker Flat Recordings 18th May.