Hey Philipp! It’s great to have you back. How’s your summer been so far?
Absolutely, thanks for having me! It’s been a lively summer for me, full of amazing gigs at various festivals around Frankfurt, including a memorable performance with Dominik Eulberg and Rodrigues Jr. In between the music, I’ve been lucky to have wonderful experiences with friends and family and even managed to squeeze in a few short trips to Rome, Dublin & Austria. It’s these personal moments that add a special touch to the creative journey.
Congrats on the release of your highly anticipated single «Up Now» on your own label Places. What was your inspiration behind this record?
“Up Now” is something truly special. It’s a peak-time track that embodies a compelling journey, featuring a captivating vocal that beautifully blends influences from &Me, WhoMadeWho, Ivory (IT), Emanuel Satie, and Patrice Bäumel. I’ve been playing and refining it in my sets for nearly a year, each time feeling the crowd’s exhilarating response. The anticipation of finally sharing this track with everyone has been immense, and I’m thrilled to see it taking off.
You worked on this song with a talented singer and songwriter Louis Frere-Harvey. How did you connect, and what was your experience working together?
Louis and I connected through a mutual friend. Despite him living in Australia and working on a theatre project, we managed to collaborate effectively. What struck me about Louis is his background in classical and percussive music. His unique perspective enriched our work and brought a whole new dimension to the track. I genuinely hope this is just the first of many collaborations between us.
What does your studio setup look like?
My studio setup is quite digital-focused and efficient. The majority of my work is done on my laptop, but I do have a few select pieces of analog gear that I find inspiring. However, I find that I can accomplish a lot with digital tools, which have really streamlined my workflow. I also enjoy collaborating at my friend Cedric’s studio where I can experiment with a wider range of equipment. This balance of my own compact setup and Cedric’s extensive gear library allows me to keep my creativity flowing.
Can you mention some of the instruments and plugins that make up your trademark sound?
My sound is a seamless fusion of analog soul and digital precision. While I do appreciate the punch of the Roland TR-909 drums and the warmth of the Prophet 6 synths, I often find myself reaching for their digital counterparts, due to the flexibility and portability they offer. I work primarily in Fruity Loops, using plugins like Serum, Massive, and Sylenth1 to shape my sound. These digital tools offer a broad palette of sounds, allowing me to bring my musical ideas to life.
What has been your highlight gig this year so far?
One of the high points this year was sharing the stage with Dominik Eulberg and Rodriguez Jr. at a popular music festival in Frankfurt. The festival took place on a particularly hot day. The sunshades over the dance floor didn’t cover everything, so at first, people avoided those sunny spots. But as the crowd started grooving to our music, every nook and corner of the dance floor filled up, even the sunny patches. It was a memorable, heartwarming sight.
How do you define success? Is it about the numbers, or is there more to it?
For me, success is a multifaceted concept. It’s the harmony between my passion for music and my entrepreneurial endeavors, like the Social Ads Agency I founded. Success isn’t merely about charts or streams. It’s about resonating with people, creating moments through music, and navigating the challenges of balancing my music and business ventures.
Now that «Up Now» is out, what is next for Philipp Wolf?
With “Up Now” released, I’m already setting my sights on what’s next. I’m thrilled to announce that my upcoming single is titled “Triangular“ (Which is also in the mix) and I can’t wait for you all to hear it. In addition, I have several remix projects lined up that I’m really excited about. On top of all this, there’s another episode of “Places” in the pipeline, our unique live stream concept that combines extraordinary locations with my DJ sets. It’s going to be a busy and creative time ahead!
Last but not least, is there a message that you wish to spread to the world?
I would like to encourage everyone out there to stay authentic. Authenticity speaks louder than anything else in music and in life. Embrace who you truly are and relentlessly pursue your passions. But also, let’s remember to savor the journey. In the current musical landscape, there seems to be a rush towards faster and harder electronic music., but I believe that we should also appreciate the slower, melodic, and soulful sounds. Let’s not get lost in the noise and forget the heart and soul of what music is about.