Matthias Vogt - Frankfurt calling

The January edition of the Sweatlodge Podcast comes from Matthias Vogt, a new addition to the Sweatlodge roster. Vogt has been successful as a dj and producer for more than a decade and has made himself a name with his solo productions as well as his projects Motorcitysoul and MVIP. Besides being a dj and producer, Vogt is also a trained Jazz pianist; however the two worlds of electronic music and jazz don't collide for him, but constantly inspire each other.  Pulse catches up with Matthias Vogt to talk about his current projects, upcoming releases and the difference for him to work alone or with collaborators. 

Listen to Matthias Vogt Sweatlodge podcast here

Matthias, you've been producing and performing music for over 15 years now.What keeps you going? I do what I love most. Nothing else needed to keep me going! As a trained jazz pianist, DJ, producer and music lover I have everything ready to create something I am happy with at the end of the day, and I hope people are able to feel that love and delight I am putting in, when they listen to my music.

You're not only releasing music and djing under the name Matthias Vogt, but you're also one half of Motorcitysoul & MVIP alongside having two band projects, Matthias Vogt Trio and [re:jazz]. Will there be a focus on one particular project in 2012? 2011 definitely was a strong year for my solo productions, with Matthias Vogt EP's on favourite labels like Large, Lazy Days, Polytone, Fullbarr, Wazi Wazi and International Freakshow. 2012 starts with collaborations: There will be an M.V.I.P. EP on Fred Everything's Lazy Days Recordings, and a new project I did with the talented Hans Thalau from Stuttgart. Furthermore I am writing on new [re:jazz] material, there will be a new album in autumn for our ten years anniversary. And of course, there's new Motorcitysoul and Matthias Vogt stuff to be released! I am thinking of doing a solo album, but this is future stuff.

I feel that the releases under Matthias Vogt are reduced and dense with flashes of catchy melodies in between. What is your approach to your solo productions? Are they a way to express what is not possible to express in your colaberations with others? That's exactly what I try to do: Reduce tracks to the minimum regarding elements, with the maximum input of my own musical vibe. It is great to work on music with other people. I've been working with my Motorcitysoul partner C-Rock for almost ten years now, plus working in bands and cooperations. In bands and cooperations you must find an agreement, so it can be a relief to do whatever you want while working on a track. So after years of communication with other people I am alone in the studio getting lost in tracks.I love that, hoping for a good outcome.

You were born in Rüsselsheim which is close to Frankfurt where you still live. Frankfurt has always been a kind of antipole to the techno capital Berlin. What do you think about the current scene in the Rhein-Main area? Is it still as strong as in the 90s? Frankfurt was truly a special place for nightlife and electronic music in the late eightees and early ninetees. I grew up with clubs like Omen and Dorian Gray, with the phenomenon the HR3 (and later on You FM) clubnight was, plus I could drop names for ages like Sven Väth, Playhouse, Groove Magazine, Force Inc., nowadays it's different. We still have strong clubs here, like Robert Johnson and Cocoonclub, countless labels, recordstores... but of course, many people moved to Berlin and in times of the internet things changed a lot. I'd say Frankfurt is no longer antipole, it is an enrichement. And, what is important to me, it is a beautiful place to live. I love Frankfurt!

Can you tell me about some favourite tracks of the past year? Take a look at my facebook artist site: facebook.com/djmatthiasvogt. You find my top 10 tracks of 2011 there, with youtube links and a short descrition and explanation why i love these tracks the way I do. It has been a strong year for amazing (house) music, in my opinion!

I've heard that you're a true wine connaisseur...what's worse: Listening to a bad house record or tasting a bad bottle of wine? My girlfriend is a sommelier - great to live with a wine expert! That makes sure I don't get in touch with bad wine. I am returning the favour and try to deliver enjoyable music. Life is too short for bad wine.

Listen to Matthias Vogt on Pulse Radio