Interview with Sebo K

USM Archives

Editor Odisseas Panierakis

Sun 10 Apr 2016

Sebo K is a unique and influential figure within Berlin’s densely populated music community; both crowd-pleasing and credible, he is a bona fide tastemaker who distinguishes himself by exploring the connective threads between classics from Chicago and Detroit, and modern European tech house, minimal, and rolling percussive grooves.

Tell us your little story of how you got into music…
I ‘ve always been interested in music since my childhood. When I was a teenager I started to DJ. Actually it happened by coincidence. I was buying records at that time and at point a friend told me that he knows someone who is organizing parties and searching for DJs. Honestly I never thought about being a DJ before but I said “why not”. Finally I played on those parties and I made my first experiences with two turntables and a mixer in front of a crowd. I must have been crazy … ; )

Drum and Bass to Techno and House… Strange turnover but I think that your fans loved your decision. Why did you decide to change your music style from a pretty hard to a groovier one?
Actually you already answered your question. When I started to DJ I played Breakbeats / UK Hardcore. That was in the early nineties and the era of Prodigy’s “Out of space” to name a popular track of this genre. This music developed into Jungle and at a certain point it became harder and darker. Too dark for me at one point so I was searching for something groovier with more soul.
Mobilee… How did you become part of it?
Anja Schneider, the head of the label was a longterm friend of mine. We were also working on some common music productions before Mobilee. Whe she started the label she asked me for some tracks for the label. This is how it began.

Sonar Festival… Describe to us the experience of being to Barcelona for one of the greatest festivals…
It’s always amazing to be there. I’ve been going there since so many years now and since a few years Mobilee is doing the Rooftop parties at Hotel Diagonal . They’ve always been great but I think this year was the best  so far.
Parties and drugs are unfortunately concurrent… Have you ever seen a person on drugs in one of your gigs and what’s your opinion on this situation?
It has always been like that. Drugs always played a role in Party and Nightlife not only in electronic music. Of course I get confronted with people on drugs very often.  I don’t like if people behave in a way that it has negative effects on the other people in the club in general. This can also happen if people drunk too much.
Describe the perfect gig for Sebo K…
It’s all about a good soundsystem and nice people …

Share with us some of your inspirations and goals to achieve...
Actually everything around me is inspiration for me but especially music, art, fashion, friends and family. My main goals are to be happy and healthy.

What does the future hold?
I’m currently working on some different music projects: some remixes , own tracks and some ambient works for an art project. Also I’m working on a book that I’m writing with a friend.