Changing gears a bit, since mobilee is celebrating its 10 year anniversary, I wanted to ask you to speak on the issue of relevancy. Do you ever think about how to stay relevant in the dance music industry at this point, given its fast paced nature, or would you rather just let things unfold organically and live or die by that decision?
I think this is exactly the point, we never focused on strategizing how we want to build up in the scene. mobilee was never this kind of label, where we thought we needed to sound like this or that. When we started we were really fast in this little thing called “minimal” but we didn’t see ourselves as that. Of course, we had artists like Pan-Pot, but we also had Sebo-K, which was completely different. So everything is possible on mobilee. For me, it was always important we have quality music and to work with artists on a long term relationship. It is important, for me, to build a team we could work with over a multi-year span, which makes things more interesting and ultimately succesful. There is a huge respect amongst the artists as everyone is different, but in the end it all comes together well. In the end, the music must be quality and make you dance. It doesn’t matter what kind it is.
Now we have, for example, Lee Van Dowski, who made an ambient album, which is so cool and interesting. I really like to go with him this way and support this direction as it gives an entirely different perspective on his career.
We did have to open up a bit recently though, so we’ve had releases from, good friend, Miss Kitten, and, of course, Maya Jane Coles, who I discovered years ago. Now, we also have Oliver Deutschmann, who is a Berlin techno artist. But, in the end, they are all mobilee records.
On that same avenue, do you personally ever identify your “place” within the massive landscape of the Berlin electronic music scene?
It is hard to say you have a place in Berlin. Berlin was always a center for creative jobs and artists. We had everyone from Depeche Mode to Iggy Pop come here back in the 70s and 80s and, of course, techno was a huge thing as we were close (musically) to Detroit with clubs like Tresor.
Honestly, if you look to Berlin now, as a real Berliner, I can’t even describe the Berlin sound. We have everything here. You can have Richie Hawtin or Ricardo Villalobos, and on the other hand you have Paul Van Dyk. It is really a huge range of anything is possible.
Berlin is the best city to start this kind of thing and I can’t imagine being anywhere else. This is my home. It is quite relaxed, as we have so many artists and labels here. Even though I have seen so many people move in and out, I have never been afraid that there is no space for me anymore. It is more the other way around, that we all really help each other.
I’ve been thinking about making to move to Berlin in the near future. That decision almost has nothing to do with music or profession, I just really enjoy the energy of the city. In that same regard, what was it that originally drew you to Berlin?
I first came here to go out to places like Tresor. It was the early 90s and I came for a visit. I was directly in love with the city. I could feel that there was something going on here, which I wanted to be a part of. I decided immediately I wanted to move to there, but I also didn’t want to be a raver and only have my fun on the weekend. I wanted to be a part of it.
The food is getting better now, though. That wasn’t a reason why I came here (laughs). Also, we are lucky that it is cheaper than most major European cities, although this is changing.
Finally, switching gears to another market entirely. We will be hosting a stage at the Minimal Effort event in Los Angeles on Halloween, where you will also be on the bill. What are your impression on the Los Angeles underground?
I’ve actually only been there one time in my life. This is a city that I’ve never had much of a relationship with. I was there for 2 days and there wasn’t much that really stood out to me, perhaps due to the limited time. I love New York and Brooklyn. I love Chicago, but I have to give Los Angeles another chance. I do read that they have amazing parties and huge clubs, so I honestly can’t wait to give it another chance!
Anja Schneider Invites happens at Steelyard in London on 3 October with Anja Schneider, Citizenn, Igor Vicente and K.I.F.F.
3 October | Anja Schneider Invites | Tickets | The Steelyard