DJ Maze is from Cologne in Germany and is currently enjoying his first visit to Koh Phangan. He will join us for Phanganist Hostel's Bass Night this Friday the 7th of April.
“Last year I travelled through the Philippines and flew from Bangkok so that was my first impression of Thailand and it was amazing, the people are funny and friendly. I didn’t want to start this trip alone so this year my friend has joined me and then after he leaves I will continue to travel alone, I just need a buddy to start the journey then do my own thing”.
https://soundcloud.com/mazednb/night-walk-vinyl-mix-oktober-2016
In Cologne Maze works as a freelance audio engineer so he told his clients not to call him for 3 months so he could do his own thing for a while.
“This is the good thing about my job!”.
Why did you come down to Phangan?
A lot of friends came here already and said that Phangan has a magical touch compared with other islands in Thailand, plus great people and some good parties.
Our starting point had to be an island because we have Winter and bad weather back home so we wanted to come to an island to chill out and calm ourselves then start the adventures and culture, this is a starting point.
When did you first hear Drum and Bass?
When I was 16 I went to my first Drum and Bass party. I’m originally from Hildesheim, it’s a small city next to Hanover and there’s a big DnB scene and the ‘Booty Shakin’ party existed for 15 years there and this is my main crowd, sometimes I go back there to play.
What did you like about it?
I like the energy and you can move like you’re crazy. Compared with Techno music when you dance it’s like you’re just flowing the whole evening but with DnB it’s like sports and you can dance more crazy.
After a DnB party you feel equalised as you move a lot. I like how you can move to it. It’s more interesting because of the tempo.
When did you start mixing, was it after you first heard it?
No it was 2 to 3 years ago, I started with a friend with a digital DJ system like Traktor but when I got deeper into the music I began thinking that digital is kinda boring so I started to collect vinyl and this is unusual to play DnB with vinyl.
I like it more, I like the way you have got the music directly in your hand, you’re directly touching the music.
There’s no computer between you and the music, I don’t like this synchronising shit, for me it's more fun to play with vinyls but of course I cannot whilst I’m away as it is too much weight. Mixing with digital it’s much with the eyes but with vinyl it’s only with your ears and that’s the thing I like about it!
There are many types of Drum and Bass, what do you prefer?
I prefer Neuro Funk and Deep DnB, I like the percussive element of DnB, I like the rhythm and not the melodic and synth.
I like when the energy comes from the drums and the rhythm.
What will you bring this Friday to Phanganist’s Bass Night that’s unique?
I like to go a bit deeper and straight, when I dj I like it when people feel the same energy as me. I play some remixes with Hip Hop tracks with Deep Neuro Funk and DnB.
In Germany we have a great scene and I like it when you can mix it up with Hip Hop, this is some of my unique mixing styles.
What have been some of your best gigs?
I think it was my first gig at ‘Booty Shakin’ party, I was in a newcomer contest and before I used to play with Traktor but this was the first time I played with vinyls and it was amazing for me to see the crowd. There were many people there and we were completely in tune and felt the same energy.
Maybe it was special as it was my first vinyl gig and I like the sound of vinyl in a club, it is more round and more definition than when you play digital.
What are your plans for the rest of the year?
My plans for music are that I’m looking forward to my new release on the 17th of April. It’s my first on Beatport, I release 2 tracks ‘Midna and Swingbox’ on label ‘Lovedigital’ and I’m kind of proud because it’s my first release and I feel honoured and have got good feedback and great artwork and I’m looking forward to this.
Leave us with your Music philosophy….
Great music is when you can not just listen but feel the music, especially in DnB. Liquid is more listening, lots of vocals and synths yet the deeper the DnB the more feeling and you’re completely deep in the rhythm, the single element blocks up and changes your feeling, this is what makes music great.
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