Sascha Funke: The Ransom Note Mix

 
Music

There are very few as innovative and humble as Sascha Funke, a revered producer, disc jockey and all round gentleman. Since 1999 he has helped push electronic music forwards in more ways than he is perhaps accredited for. Releases on the likes of Kompakt, BPitch and Cadeux helped establish him as a reckonable force amidst a time in which dance music underwent an interesting transitional spell. His sound has evolved with age: exploring the roots between experimental electronics, minimal, house and ambient he has established himself as a figurehead for respectability and his recent output has continued to demonstrate this as such. Last year marked the release of a new album on Endless Flight and followed on from EP's on Multi Culti and Turbo. 

We are delighted to be able to feature him as part of our mix series, a warm favourite amidst the Ransom Note gang. 

Listen and read the interview below: 


Who are you, where are you and what are you?

My DJ and producer name is Sascha Funke. I am a human being living in Berlin.

What does your music sound like? Can you draw what you think it sounds like for us (an image from the old internet is acceptable)?

Where was the mix recorded?

At home on the sofa. My favourite dj booth when it comes to podcasts.

What would be the ideal setting to listen to the mix?

I chose a rather clubby direction for this mix so maybe the E-Werk in Berlin. It had the most powerful impact on me in my early rave days. Unfortunately the club is closed since 20 years.

What should we be wearing?

– black Daniel Poole shirt with reflecting silver prints – red Pash jeans
– Troop sneakers

What would be your dream setting to record a mix: Location system format?

The E-Werk again. I know it’s boring, but the sound system there was so good. I would love to hear all the new music on these old speakers.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

Siegmar Fricke – Point It Out (Manfredas Remix) on Mond Musik. It’s a rerelease of selected tracks from various tapes from 1988 – 1993 which were released on Sigmar’s own label Bestattungsinstitut and other tape-labels at that time. Manfredas did a fantastic remix for him.

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

In 1992, when I started listening to electronic music i recorded every weekend dj mixes on DT 64 – the old East German youth radio. Once a DJ called Spezial mixed there. I listened 1000 times to the mix and tried to find out about every track he played. It was a very versatile combination of different styles from trance to breakbeats from Detroit techno to Chicago house.

If you could go back to back with any DJ from throughout history, who would it be and why?

DJ Sweat. He taught me how to mix two records together when I used to hang out at a youth club in East Berlin in 92. His style was quite diverse including Hip Hop, Eurodance, Pop and Techno. It would be interesting to see how he could combine Ace Of Base and Tolouse Low Trax nowadays.

What was your first DJ set up at home and what is it now?

I bought my first turntables at a shop called Conrad. They were Technics clones and they had only a belt drive, which was quite inconvenient. I also had a Vestax mixer like everyone else in these days. Now i have two Technics 1210, 2 Pioneer XDJ 700 and an old Pioneer DJM 500.

What’s more important, the track you start on or the track you end on?

The track i start on. That definitely sets the tone of the rest of the journey.

What were the first and last records you bought?

The first record was from Technotronic in 89. The last record is called Acid Bowie. It’s a compilation of 8 tracks full of old David Bowie samples. It reminds me of the time when I started making music. I used only an Emu sampler and old pop records. I opened my mix with one of the tracks.

If this mix was an edible thing, what would it taste like?

Marshmallow ice cream?

If it was an animal what would it be?

A billy goat, it’s the mascot of my favorite football team.

One record in your collection that is impossible to mix into anything?

Violet Micro – 274. It’s a track from an old compilation called Planet Encounter. The track is always too fast for the tempo of my DJ sets.

Upcoming in the world of…

One remix for Tuff City Kids on Permanent Vacation and one for Strapontin on the new label of Serial Experiments, based in Vilnius. I am also working on a new EP and will carry on my collaboration with Multi Culti throughout new releases and my regular radio show with them called „Das Zen“.

Anything else we need to discuss?

I bet that England is going to win the world cup in 2022.


Follow Sascha Funke on Facebook HERE

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