Andre Lodemann - Piecing together the Fragments

Relases on  staples such as Buzzin Fly, Freerange, Simple and Rebirth have seen Andre Lodemann quickly rise to the top of the deep house tree. This month sees the German artist release his debut album on his Best Works imprint, and to mark the release Andre speaks to David Browne and provides Pulse with an exclusive mix.

You’re a regular staple of Berlin nightlife, DJing at clubs across the city. How has the city changed and nightlife developed over the past twenty years since you’ve been so deeply involved with the scene? Today we have a club inflation in Berlin. There are so many new clubs opening almost every day. That makes competition tuff here. But also offer a lot of possibilties. The biggest change is the growing influence of soul infused music... from Deep House to Deep Tech. Berlin always was a very Techno Music orientated city and still is but there is more room for other styles and experiments. And these new musical directions are here to stay.

 
Growing up in the German Democratic Republic, repressive censorship of the ruling communist system meant you couldn’t listen to a broad selection of music – were you able to counteract this? What records had the biggest impact on you growing up? I grew up on the countryside outside of Berlin. The only access we had to other music was west-german radio such as SFB, RIAS, etc. we recorded on tape-decks. There was a huge exchange of the "hottest" tapes. Musically in the 80s I was very much into New Wave and independant bands like: Eurythimics, Talk Talk, U2, The Cure, Anne Clark, Depeche Mode.

Living in Berlin, you are spoilt for choice of new DJs to spend your hard earned cash on seeing, who, at the minute, are you more than willing to splash out on to see? I'd like to see Linkwood, Koze, I:Cube, Francis Harris and many more. Also Harvey is always a good choice.

You worked as a social worker with young people living in the outskirts of Berlin for many years – can you tell us a bit about this experience and why you made the move away from this to go full-time into production, DJing and promoting? I really enjoyed the daily direct interaction face to face with other people. The reason for making this move is my passion to produce and play my music. I started releasing during my work years. The inner wish to do more became stronger and stronger. Besides that there where changes in my job such as the growing administrative work and permanent justification towards superiors. Also the instable financial situation of many of the projects I was involved in forced me to this change.

There’s an emotional and spiritual depth to your music that really connects with the listener - do you find music the best medium to convey your message to the world? If so, why? Yes, and even if this sounds stereotypical. Music is an universal language that every one understands around the world. This language works without the spoken word. In my opinion music can touch people emotionally more than words can say.

Can you talk us through your new album, ‘Fragments’? What’s the story behind it? In the beginning I actually just wanted to release a collection of all the remixes i have done in the last decade. But then the idea came up to give my listeners a different context to my whole creative work. After making this decision I noticed more and more that all my work has a deeper connection then I expected.

You have recorded on a host of international labels in the past but are you now more focused on releasing solely through your own imprint, Best Works Records? What exciting projects do you have planned with the label that you can tell us a little but about? No I am not focused on my own label. It is my personal playground to release what I want and what I like. I am also happy to be connected to such labels as Freerange, RWAV, Dessous and will continue releasing for them. After Fragments, we will take a creative break as I am on the road a lot to promote my release. We have quite a few new ideas for upcoming releases.

Listen to Andre Lodemann on Pulse Radio