Can you tell us a little bit about how you got into music? I grew up in Frankfurt in the 90s when the first wave of German Techno started. Labels like EyeQ & Arthouse were big back then and I got my first clubbing experiences with DJs like Sven Väth, who is still a big hero of mine. So we went to the famous Dorian Gray at Frankfurt Airport as well as Omen downtown and I fell in love with this stuff. I was curious about how this new thing was made and done and what the story was behind it. So I discovered the production side and became a well know electronic music producer over the years. Then I started doing live acts and made my move to DJing, to keep the story short. What first inspired you to become a DJ and producer? I have a classical piano background, and of course a love for music, but what really fascinated me was the technical aspect. When I saw a PC recording and playing MIDI notes from and to a synthesizer and being able to record all of that to different tracks, I was blown away. Then the big racks with the huge amount of 19" synthesisers and samplers, the huge mixing consoles - all the stuff I was able to buy one after the other, release after release. This was fascinating and inspiring. Your sound has changed a lot over time... how would you describe where it is at right now? To be brutally honest with myself, I have to admit that I am still figuring out day by day what my style is exactly. I like so many EDM variations and my taste and where I want to go next changes on a daily basis. Currently, I really enjoy the bassline driven techy-deephouse-corner, but also the more techno-progressive stuff Digweed is playing. So I guess 2012 will be a techno Martin Roth with elements of deep house and a very earlyish Sasha progressive touch. A bit more driven again. Has douse music’s popularity in the US affected the scene in Europe? Or have things stayed the same? I think every scene in whichever country or continent is affecting the other and helping it. Through the popularity new artists from the US have come up and inspire us like we inspired them and gave the whole House scene a new flavor. Also in the past five years many big US DJs & producers moved to Berlin or Barcelona for a little time and infused their new surroundings with new inspiration, parties and approaches. So it is always exciting to have a new part in the world developing from their old music habits or even better: watching more people take interest in this music. Сan you live on the revenue as an artist? Luckily this is feasible. The losses incurred in recent years by the declining sound recordings sales were caught by DJ gigs again. You deserve decent vinyl and CD as well as EDM weddings, today the productions are almost degenerating into promo tool for your own name. Internet & social networking is too cursing as well as a blessing. Your performances are more likely to settle abroad. What explanation is there for that? I can only guess, so I think it could be because I was always following the style that was less sociable at the time in Germany - I was in Australia or England at times overdose / frankfurt times, a lot in the USA when I worked with Paul (van Dyk) for Vandit back then and he was a big number especially in the States and when it was more in the Progressive House direction, it was just more Central and South America. Now it seems that I have finally arrived in the beloved Deeperen Sound and so again moves Europe into focus - it is also nice to go directly after the gig again with the subway or S-Bahn home. Tell us a little bit about your residencies globally and some of the highlights for you personally as a DJ that you’ve loved and why and also what you’re most looking forward to about coming to play at our little venue this weekend in the UK? I have really no preference or favorite place to play as every gig is special again and again, obviously people know I have a crush on Buenos Aires, Los Angeles or Melbourne but I am looking forward to any place in the World even if it is just a Subway ride away. And back to your point, I totally prefer intimate smaller venues as mentioned above already - so highly looking forward to Portsmouth, where I haven’t been by the way so far - so really excited to be there. https://soundcloud.com/djmartinroth/sets/originals-eps"I think you can do electronic music or music in general without this training, as there are also other special needs and talents. However, with this training, you have a way deeper insight and this music world becomes far bigger and richer."
A Sit Down With DJ Martin Roth
Berlin-based German producer Martin Roth is known for his ever-evolving musical style and ability to play with new sounds and genres to create intricate, deeper than the seas compositions. Having built a strong relationship with the label over the years, Martin's latest offering is the elegant Deep House "Beautiful Life", which featured on James Grant's "Anjunadeep 04" mix.