Influences: Oskar Offermann

Music

The German's have always had a special connection to the deep and textured when it comes to music production. In recent years there has been a resurge in soulful, emotive house music: labels such as Giegling and Smallville have begun to redevelop a sound which had seemed lost. They have somehow managed to bring a sense of passion, sincerity and dignity back to the world of "deep" house music. Oskar Offermann is a definitive figure in the recreation of a house sound which has recently become overrun and over commercialised; his music is groove infused, melodic and moving. You will find no over the top vocals, no overprocessed stabs or hi hats, no corny hooks. Instead you will find an alluring sense of warmth and graceful energy reminiscent of the very early days of Strictly Rhythm. If you look beyond the house music culture of today, there are still elements of beauty to be found within a saturated environment. Here are Oskar Offermann's influences..

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Aphex Twin - Flim

In 2001 I was seriously in love for the first time. And in the same year I discovered Aphex Twin for the first time. I remember that there wasn’t as many genres yet, at least not in my surroundings. So this was introduced to me by a friend as “some weird drum and bass stuff”. This song will always remind me of this time. “Come To Daddy” was also the first Aphex album I heard and I copied it on Mini Disc from a friend of course. Later I bought the vinyl at HMV Frankfurt (still got it with the German Marks price tag on it).

Aphex Twin - Flim

In 2001 I was seriously in love for the first time. And in the same year I discovered Aphex Twin for the first time. I remember that there wasn’t as many genres yet, at least not in my surroundings. So this was introduced to me by a friend as “some weird drum and bass stuff”. This song will always remind me of this time. “Come To Daddy” was also the first Aphex album I heard and I copied it on Mini Disc from a friend of course. Later I bought the vinyl at HMV Frankfurt (still got it with the German Marks price tag on it).
The Smiths - Still Ill (Peel Session Version)

There was a phase when I went frequently to a big CD store in Berlin, with my Mini Disc recorder and I just bootleged whole albums. Just for myself because I couldn’t afford it. It took some time but I was young and would rather spend my money rather on equipment than on music. And then I discovered The Smiths, which gave my new born Berlin raver lifestyle a certain soundtrack, twenty years too late maybe, but perfect for these long lonely long Berlin winter days smelling of charcoal. I still can’t answer Morrisey’s questions to this day…
Metro Area - Caught Up

Not sure where I heard this the first time. I was working for Sonar Kollektiv in those days and probably I got introduced there. But reminds me much of the time.
Isolée - I Owe You

I probably got introduced to Isolée by the Sonar Kollektiv Labelmanager ‘Matthias Bohmbach’ at that time. For some reason he fed me constantly with music, while I was working there. I learned a lot business wise from him and he showed me all this great music. Today I am really thankful for that experience. Thanks Matze! And I still love this track very dearly to this day. The fucked up vocal is just so amazing.
Basil Hardhaus 2 - Make Me Dance

Actually my first Nu Groove record, but I just got the Sonar Kollektiv / Recreation version, while I was working there. So it was actually Dixon who really introduced me to proper US House sound. Seems a bit unreal these days. But I gotta give him credit for this one.
Herbert - Take Me Back

This track is actually from 1996. But I really got into Herbert through the Bodily Functions K7 Album.. . So it wasn’t before 2001 before I discovered this House sound.
World’S End Girlfriend - Caroling Hellwalker

So after Sonar Kollektiv I started to work in this experimental record shop called “Neurotitan” in Berlin Mitte and I was really heavy into this IDM obscure kinda thing. And WEG was one of these examples from that time. The name says it all. Pretty intense. Very Japanese.
Richard Coleman Divine - Untitled 4

I’ve bought a lot of Schematic records in those days and was a huge fan of Richard. I just recently started to dig up all these old records and found some treasures from a forgotten time in my life..
The Soft Pink Truth - Promofunk

In 2003 I started a little event series called “Clic Clac Club” in Berlin, Frankfurt and Cologne. Being art students we did these small exhibitions and asked techno DJs to play experimental sets. This track was sort of our anthem! I was sure at that time that he would have been the next producer for Madonna. Seemed like the obvious choice after Mirwais. They did lot’s of stuff as Matmos for Björk. Maybe Madonna did ask and they turned her down?
T.Raumschmiere - Zartbitter

One of my heroes from that time as well. I saw him live at Fusion Festival in 2002 and was just blown away, like everyone back then. Especially his Profan influenced sounding stuff, I still dig.
Ricardo Villalobos - Fools Garden (Black Conga)

I remember how Edward and I came across this album for the first time in 2003. A mutual friend introduced us. I remember having trouble memorising Ricardo’s last name and there was always this TV spot with these competing Spanish villages. So I referred to him as “Ricardo Villabajo” in the beginning. Haha, stupid me. Today I still think together with Aphex Twin he is one of the most important guys in electronic music. Still so on point and so true to the whole game.