VIRTUS //

Hello Wigbert, thanks for taking the time to speak with us at Virtus. Where in the world are you right now?

 

Hello and thanks for having me. I’m in my studio in Offenbach, Germany. Working on some new music right now.

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You have been in the music industry for quite a few years now, can you tell us where your interest in electronic music came from and what made you decide that you wanted to be a DJ?

 

My interest in electronic music started very early and I got my first attention in the mid / late 90's. I think I was about 10 years old when my older brother and his friend listened to some old hr club night sets and also the LP’s from Sven Vaeth. Later, it was in 2001, my brother started to DJing and he bought some cheap turntables and a mixer. I tried it and I liked it, but my personal push to make the decision to become a DJ was in Berlin in 2002. I was 14 years old and I visited there my first big open air rave in my life and as soon I saw thousands of people, were in harmony, connected with the music and danced together. It was magical to see this. One of these moments, I’ll never forget these pictures. From this time I wanted to be part of this connection.

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Can you remember your first ever paid DJ gig and did it live up to all expectations?

 

I think I can remember. It was in 2004 and it was in my hometown in Germany where I grow up. I forgot the name of the club and it was totally the opposite of the expectation. It was not really full and it was totally different to play outside of my living room. But finally it was amazing to feel the energy you get when people like your music that you play. That is why I’m still in the game.

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Fast forward to some of the gigs you have been a part of in recent years, can you name one stand out show that sticks in your mind?

 

The SCI+TEC showcase in Beirut at The Grand Factory was amazing!

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As a producer, you have successfully planted your own sound on this thriving global scene, tell us about how your relationships with Dubfire & Pan Pot came about that enabled you to release your music on their respective labels?

 

A few years ago I got in touch with Carlo Lio and I released an EP on his label Rawthentic. Carlo is also a good friend of Dubfire and I asked Carlo if he could introduce some of my new music to him. He did it and Dubfire loved and signed it. I got very great feedbacks and also Pan-Pot supported my tracks very well. Finally, they asked me to do a remix for their track ''Broken Engine“ on the latest album. After the remix, I sent them some of my unreleased music and that's how I started to release my music on Second State.

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When you are in the studio, what is your favourite hardware/software that you just love to use in your music and was that prominent in your latest music on MOOD?

 

Good question. At the moment I love to use my Roland TR 909 for Drums and also I love to use my modular system for  extraordinary synth and experimenting sounds. For the latest release on Mood, I used in every song different machines. For ''Recognition“ it was a Moog synth for the main sound, for the track ''Red“ my Korg MonoPoly and for ''Moonlight“ I used a 303 for the Acid Sounds. Also I love to use some effects from my Eventide, to get a certain deepness in the track.

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What inspires you to create music?

 

When I’m travelling and playing in other countries or regions, it's important for me to absorb the energy and I get my inspiration from this. Or listening to other DJs and live performances gives me inspiration for sure. Also just when I’m sitting in my studio, looking around starting to play with the gear. The nature is another way for me, to refill my energy and get a balance between all the stressful business and all the creativity. But finally, I need a place where I'm feeling good, where I can close the door and be myself, to get into my own world, without having any distractions.

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What artists are you really digging at the moment?

 

I love all the stuff and projects from Maceo Plex. A top producer and a great DJ too. Also I always love to hear and see Marcel Dettmann and Ben Klock. It’s very inspiring to listen to their DJ sets.

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If you could give one piece of advice to any DJ/Producer starting out in their career, what would it be?

 

Trying not rush yourself and concentrating on the own music. Also not distract too much on the social media, which can be very depressing. Keep working on your own skills, then patience will pay off!

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Where we can catch you play next?

 

I’ll play next at Lost in MTW Club Offenbach on 24th November and for the new years eve on 31th December, I’m back in Nuremberg at the lovely Rakete / Hirsch Club. More dates will be announced soon!   

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Check out Wigbert's latest 'Recognition' EP on Nicole Moudaber's MOOD Records below.

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