Interview: Boys Noize

These days it ain’t just the Bratwurst that’s big in Germany. And it ain’t the size of a sausage that keeps travellers coming back. Today it’s all about the music.

Germany, namely Berlin, is the cultural hub of the noise bleed tunes and dance floor staples. That Mecca of the electro-tech/minimal/dance jazz that keeps residents up all hours of the night.  Boys Noize is Deutschland’s biggest export since the Bratwurst. Often mistaken as a duo the single entity is creating just as many waves and leaves a longer lasting after-taste.  

Born in Hamburg, the young enthusiast and producer and DJ extraordinaire formerly known as Alex Ridah was trained by fellow electro maestro D.I.M. before he would move to Berlin; his home away from home. A mere four years later saw Ridah found his own label 'Boys Noize Records'. In 2006 Depeche Mode asked him to remix "Personal Jesus", a year later he released debut Oi Oi Oi followed by Power in 2009. His latest offering was served at a slower pace laced with deafening undercurrents that lent themselves to the more spacey sonic sound. Although maintaining the minimal fist-pumpers Ridah’s 2009 sophomore album was an evolution from the gnarly head-banger of 2007’s Oi Oi Oi. 2010 has seen collaborations with Kelis and the Black Eyed Peas and an impending album with Chilly Gonzalez. We had a quick chat to Ridah about music, up-and-comers and Justin Bieber. 

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Where are you based at the moment?

In Berlin. 

You’re originally from Hamburg. What’s one good thing to come out of Germany?

I am interested in the people and their cultures. My DJing allows me to get familiar with a lot of different and interesting people all over the world. Also I love food and there is nothing better than enjoying the national dish of the country I’m visiting. 

You’ve said DJs like Erol Alkan and Justice helped increase your popularity by dropping your tracks. Whose tracks do you love dropping?

That changes every month. I go to record shops every week in Berlin and in almost every city I play, to find new music. I buy music online so I spend a lot of time listening to new stuff there too. I like to discover young producers that don’t give a fuck about rules and styles. Also, I’ve signed some really talented young producers to my label Boys Noize Records. Djedjotronic for example is one of the most exciting producers at the moment. 

A lot of artists don’t tend to listen their music once it’s finished. What about you?

No. Not when it's finished and pressed. 

When you’re not creating music what do you watch on TV?

I don't like to watch TV.  

Do you know who Justin Bieber is? Apparently he’s big in music at the moment... Are you reaching for Google? Aha

I saw the name on twitter and stuff but to be honest I wasn’t interested enough to check out his music. I’m not really interested in something everybody else is; it rather turns me off. 

Your passion for everything you’re about musically started young but did you ever have plans of becoming something other than Boys Noize?

Of course my parents wanted me to finish school and study or so, but I was so passionate about my music they couldn’t stop me doing what I did and they were cool enough to trust me and let me do my thing. 

Lastly – What should we expect from Boys Noize in 2010?

More new music! Check out the Chilly Gonzales Album Ivory Tower produced by me. It will be released end of August :) 

Interview by Jasmine Phull

Boys Noize Records will be hosting an arena on the Saturday at SW4. Buy tickets for SW4 below! 

Tickets are no longer available for this event

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